At just 24 years old, Tsedenia Tadele carries a story that reflects the lived experiences of millions of young people across Ethiopia. Born and raised in a country where over 70% of the population is under 30, she grew up full of ambition, but like many young graduates, her path was shaped by uncertainty.
After completing her Bachelor of Science in Public Health from Mekelle University, Tsedenia found herself in a crowded job market with few opportunities. The COVID-19 pandemic had interrupted her education, stalled the economy, and left thousands of young professionals unsure of where to begin.
“It didn’t break my spirit,” she says. “I knew I wanted to work in public health, but the opportunities just weren’t there. I had to stay patient, stay hopeful, and keep trying.”
Youth unemployment remains one of Ethiopia’s biggest challenges. Nearly one in four urban youth are jobless. Young women face the greatest barrier, with unemployment rates twice as high as young men. But Tsedenia refused to give up.
Her turning point came when she joined Amref Health Africa in Ethiopia as an intern for the Saving Lives and Livelihoods (SLL) project, a groundbreaking partnership between the Africa CDC and the Mastercard Foundation.
From the moment she joined, Tsedenia threw herself into the work. She supported the coordination of health worker training, organised vaccination outreach campaigns, and became an outspoken advocate for meaningful youth participation in immunisation programmes.
“Today, I’m proud to be part of the SLL project,” she says. “COVID-19 once disrupted my education, but now I’m helping stop its transmission. This is more than a job as it feels like I am taking back my future.”
Through her internship, Tsedenia has grown into a trusted young professional, gaining the hands-on skills and confidence needed to pursue a career in global health. But even more importantly, she has become a role model for other young people searching for their chance to contribute.
During a recent project review meeting in Bishoftu, she stood in front of key stakeholders such as government officials, partner organisations, and senior health leaders, to share a message she now champions:
“As a young public health leader, I am advocating for the role of youth in digitalisation, demand creation, and vaccine delivery. I will continue to serve as a brand ambassador for the SLL project and encourage more young people to take meaningful roles in advancing immunisation.”
Her journey demonstrates what happens when young people are given not just an opportunity, but a platform.
With nearly 90% of the SLL project workforce made up of young professionals, the initiative has become a powerful incubator for the next generation of public health leaders. It aligns with Amref Health Africa’s growing commitment to youth leadership and the Mastercard Foundation’s Young Africa Works strategy, which aims to connect 30 million young Africans to dignified employment by 2030.
For Tsedenia, what began as an internship has become a calling, a chance to shape the health of her community while building the career she once thought was out of reach.
Her story is a reminder that when young people are empowered, supported, and trusted, they don’t just transform their own lives, they also transform systems.
Authors:
- Betebebu Mulugeta, Knowledge Management Coordinator for the SLL Phase II project, Amref Health Africa in Ethiopia
- Michael Tarekegn, Senior Project Manager for the SLL Phase II project, Amref Health Africa in Ethiopia