welcome to Making the Grade: Hope for African youth
Enjoy your visit to our site. Take your time to learn about our incredible students and our many projects- educational funding (Yanetta), girls' empowerment and autonomy (Esther), hygiene and fresh water (Nitsu), housing (Gojjo)., and medical intervention.
Perhaps you see yourself partnering with us. We are always looking for volunteers, connections and donations so we can help our students, help themselves.
Making the Grade is proud to welcome Chosen Generation as a partner to our efforts in Ethiopia. Since 2013, Making the Grade has provided services to over 100 students in Ethiopia and other African countries. We have grown in our size and scope and now have an Ethiopian-based ally to assist with grassroots, "boots-on-the-ground" project implementation. To meet this growing need, we have assisted in creating a new nonprofit, Chosen Generation – a partner organization located in Addis Ababa. They will help us realize our goals by providing culturally-appropriate leadership and a highly professional staff to implement our projects with excellence. With this new alliance, we will better serve our students and help them achieve their dreams!
what we do
Providing Education, Housing & Medical Services to allow for students' personal autonomy
our team
We are a 501c3 Nonprofit Organization of dedicated volunteers that believe education is key to independence
Kofera finally goes for surgery-
Making the Grade partners with Dr. Rick Hodes
Over a year ago, before COVID-19 turned the world upside down, Dr. Rick's mom turned 95. When asked about birthday gifts, mom replied “I don’t need anything. But I want to raise money for a patient.”
Rick chose Kofera. Kofera came from a small area in Ethiopia called Konso. She was sent to FOCOS Hospital in Ghana for traction and surgery because of sever spinal curvature.. Kofera had successful surgery, and got 4 rods and 15 screws implanted to stretch and fix her spine.
However, Kofera also has bilateral retinal detachments. In fact, Kofera is nearly blind. This problem is far outside the scope of Dr. Rick's spine program. Dr. Rick contacted Making the Grade to see if we would partner with him in sending Kofera. Rick's mom put out the word, and her supporters donated well over $7000. Then Covid hit, and put the plans on hold for over a year.
Today, April 4, 2021, Rick's son Dejene and Kofera are flying to the renowned LV Prasad Eye Institute in Hyderabad, India for evaluation and surgery. Dejene will serve as guide and translator.
Several weeks ago, Dr. Gullapalli N Rao, the institute’s founder, was awarded the Greenberg Prize for Outstanding Achievement to End Blindness. Kofera is in the best of hands.
Thank you Betts for giving sight to the blind!
Thank you Betts!
PLEASE CHOOSE US!
Your support and contributions will enable us to meet our goals to create independence through education. We appreciate your generous support.