Empowering Education. One School at a Time.
Building classrooms and libraries to unlock brighter futures in underserved communities.
Our
Causes
About Us
Who We Are
Access Learning, Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding access to quality education for under-served students and communities. We believe education is the foundation for opportunity, dignity, and long-term community transformation.
We are a 501(c)(3) public charity, recognized under Internal Revenue Code §509(a)(2), and supported by public contributions and program-based initiatives that allow us to deliver sustainable, community-driven impact. Our federal Tax Identification Number (EIN) is 39-4051397.
Working alongside educators, families, volunteers, and community partners, Access Learning strengthens schools, improves learning environments, and supports students with the tools they need to succeed. From classrooms and libraries to digital learning and mentorship, our programs are designed to remove barriers and unlock potential.
This is what we planned
Build Them a Proper School
testimonials
Success Stories
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“Having clean water would be like having a peaceful and happy life.”
“We have cried out for clean water, but nobody has given us an ear yet.”
From Desperation to Determination: A Rural Community’s Commitment to Education
The Journey
Phase 1: The Early Struggles – Walking 25 Kilometers for Hope
Years ago, in a remote farming community in rural Ethiopia, the dream of attaining a high school education was nearly impossible.
Students—some as young as 14—had to walk over 25 kilometers each way just to attend the nearest high school. The physical and financial burden was immense.
Phase 2: Community Awakening – Turning an Elementary School into a High School
Faced with these staggering challenges, the community refused to remain passive.
In partnership with local authorities, they transformed the existing elementary school into a middle school, and eventually into a high school.
Phase 3: Growth and Decay – Too Many Students, Too Few Resources
With time, the number of enrolled students increased dramatically. But the facilities did not keep pace.
Over 75% of students dropped out before completing high school. The founder of Access Learning Foundation was one of these dropouts.
More than 95% of girls never made it past the 9th grade due to long travel, safety risks, and lack of support.
Phase 4: A Crisis Point – Threat of Closure or Downgrade
Today, the school stands at a tipping point.
Without urgent intervention, it faces the real threat of being shut down or downgraded back to a middle school.
Hundreds of students risk being pushed out of education once again, and girls—especially—will be the first to lose out.
From Desperation to Determination: A Rural Community’s Commitment to Education
The Journey
Phase 1: The Early Struggles – Walking 25 Kilometers for Hope
Years ago, in a remote farming community in rural Ethiopia, the dream of attaining a high school education was nearly impossible. Students—some as young as 14—had to walk over 25 kilometers each way just to attend the nearest high school. The physical and financial burden was immense. As a result:
- Over 75% of students dropped out before completing high school. The founder of Access Learning Foundation was one of these dropouts.
- More than 95% of girls never made it past the 9th grade due to long travel, safety risks, and lack of support.
This crisis wasn’t just about education—it was about the loss of potential, of dreams deferred, and futures denied.
Hope was rekindled. The school became a symbol of possibility.
Phase 2: Community Awakening – Turning an Elementary School into a High School
Faced with these staggering challenges, the community refused to remain passive. In partnership with local authorities, they transformed the existing elementary school into a middle school, and eventually into a high school
The first classrooms were basic but functional.
Early cohorts of students received a foundation in learning and some even went on to achieve success in higher education and professional careers.
The community—comprised mostly of subsistence farmers—did everything they could. They pooled their limited resources to add classrooms and buy chalkboards, benches, and other basic materials. But the needs far outstripped their capacity.
Phase 3: Growth and Decay – Too Many Students, Too Few Resources
With time, the number of enrolled students increased dramatically. But the facilities did not keep pace.
- Aging classrooms became unsafe, many literally on the brink of collapse.
- There were too few desks, books, or teaching supplies to support meaningful learning.
- Overcrowding made it difficult for teachers to manage classrooms or deliver quality education.
Without urgent intervention, it faces the real threat of being shut down or downgraded back to a middle school.
Phase 4: A Crisis Point – Threat of Closure or Downgrade
Today, the school stands at a tipping point.
Without urgent intervention, it faces the real threat of being shut down or downgraded back to a middle school.
Hundreds of students risk being pushed out of education once again, and girls—especially—will be the first to lose out.
The right to learn should not be determined by geography or poverty
Why Access Learning Exists Today
Access Learning is more than a foundation—it is a promise to rural youth that their right to learn will not be determined by geography or poverty. Our mission is to rebuild, equip, and sustain this school and others like it, so that the next generation can learn with dignity, dream with courage, and lead with purpose.
Ways to Help
Get Involved
Lend Your Time & Talent
Whether you’re on the ground in Ethiopia or supporting us from anywhere in the world, your skills can help build futures. We need passionate individuals for teaching, construction support, fundraising, digital marketing, and more.
Champion of Education
You can directly impact a student’s life by launching a fundraising campaign. Host a community event, create an online fundraiser for your birthday, or challenge your network to help us reach our goal. Every dollar brings us closer to building a safe classroom.
Amplify Our Impact
Join forces with us to create lasting change. We seek partnerships with corporations, NGOs, and community groups for sponsored projects, matching gift programs, and long-term collaborative efforts. Together, we can scale our impact and empower entire communities.
Our
Mission and Vision Statements
Mission
We build safe, functional classrooms and equip schools with essential learning materials in rural Ethiopia. Through collaboration and community engagement, we work to dismantle the systemic barriers to education and foster a generation of empowered learners and leaders.
Vision Statement
We envision a future where every child in rural and under-served communities has access to quality education, empowered by modern learning environments, resources, and opportunities.