Studio Samuel

Attending at the United Nations was both energizing and grounding.

In spaces filled with global leaders and advocates, there was also a noticeable absence—many voices closest to these issues couldn’t be in the room due to visa barriers. It’s a powerful reminder: progress requires not just conversation, but access.

One message came through clearly all week—education is protection for girls.

This is what we see every day at Studio Samuel Girls Academy. When girls stay in school, they are less vulnerable to child marriage, gender-based violence, and exploitation. Education creates choice. It creates safety. It changes futures.

A powerful moment was attending a UNICEF-hosted event focused on gender-based violence and child marriage — issues that directly reduce access to education in our community. And the screening of NAWI followed by a Q&A with the filmmaker and writer created more conversations, and hopefully a chance to show the film to our classes and families in Ethiopia.

We’re grateful to be in partnership with those working toward real solutions—and committed to ensuring girls are not only part of the conversation, but fully represented in it.

Wishing love and peace to all celebrating.