Rebuilding A Nation was born out of years of prayer and a desire to contribute in some way to the enormous needs that exist in the country of the founders’ origin, Ethiopia. Makeda and Zewdu’s desire to provide educational opportunities for children in Ethiopia were born, in great part, from their experience of raising three daughters in America. Makeda and Zewdu did their best to expose their children to all educational resources possible, including public libraries, nature centers, museums, parks, and zoos. Thanks to the early educational interventions and stimulation their children received, Makeda and Zewdu began to notice how much their daughters loved learning, reading, and exploring the world around them. They saw firsthand how the interventions they implemented, along with hard work and dedication, led their children to some of the best schools in the country.

Now that their children are grown, Makeda and Zewdu have turned their focus to seeking ways to broaden the learning opportunities for all children. They believe that, in order to make a change in Ethiopian society, it is vital to focus on school-age children. Makeda and Zewdu believe that by creating an environment where children are given a quality education, exposed to various opportunities, and taught important moral lessons, children can become change-makers in their communities. But most importantly, Makeda and Zewdu believe that all Ethiopian children should have the opportunity to grow up like their daughters—with a quality education that molds them into passionate, caring, loving citizens that will impact their society for good. To accomplish this purpose Rebuilding A Nation was born.