Abigail, the daughter of our own Prof. Alemayehu G. Mariam, has been named “Young Humanitarian of the Year” by the California-based St. Mary Hospital Foundation.
It is not surprising that Abi is named a {www:humanitarian}. Her father, who is giving voice to the voiceless people in Ethiopia with his powerful writings, is a role model not only to his daughters, but all young Ethiopians to grow up as {www:conscientious} individuals.
Abi Mariam: Young Humanitarian of the Year
(St. Mary Medical Center) — In the Fall of 2007, Abi Mariam began volunteering in the Junior Volunteer
program at St. Mary Medical Center, where she has been a fixture ever since. Her mother, Mesrak Gessesse, is Director of Network Development at St. Mary, and her father, Al Mariam is a lawyer and professor at Cal State San Bernardino. “I’ve grown up at St. Mary Medical Center,” said Abi. “I like being able to give back to an organization that’s given a lot to my family and my community.”
Abi is extremely active with her school and in the community as well. She serves as President of the Granite Hills Key Club, a service organization, and actively participates in fundraisers for the Invisible Children Club, a non~profit organization raising money for child soldiers forced to fight in Northern Uganda. Abi is also President of the on-campus tutoring club ATAP (Academic Tutoring and Preparation and the Director of Debate in her school’s Junior Statesmen of America .
In addition to being involved in these and other fundraising and advocating efforts, Abi still finds time to maintain a 5.0 GPA with 4 Advanced Placement courses during the school year!
After high school, Abi plans to attend a four-year university and study political science and government. She is fascinated by different political ideological philosophies and how they can function in modern government. She says, “I have been fortunate to realize at a young age that a life serving others is a life well lived, and I believe my talents and interests will be best directed to helping others through my understanding and usage of our government.”
At such a young age, Abi is already aware of the {www:importance} of not only being involved in the community, but spreading that message of involvement to others, young and old alike. “I’ve been blessed with an unbelievably supportive family, wonderful teachers and amazing friends,” she commented. “These gifts are not mine to keep; they’re something I should share with others, and the only way I can give back some of what I’ve been given is through service.”
16 thoughts on “Abi Al Mariam named “Young Humanitarian of the Year””
Congratulations to Abigail and her father Professor Al.
The young lady is blessed with Kidest Mariam spirit. Untainted by the glitz and hyperbole of Hollywood, a rare profile for the current generation. Giving, not expecting, is just great.
Let us compare her with Kathy Perry, singer and current chart-buster of songs like “California Gurls” and “Teenage Dreams” and her Wikipedia story:
“Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson (born October 25, 1984), better known by her stage name Katy Perry, is an American singer-songwriter and musician. Perry was born in Santa Barbara, California, and raised by Christian pastor parents; she grew up listening to only gospel music and sang in church as a child. After earning a GED during her freshman year of high school, she began to pursue a music career. She released a self-titled gospel album in 2001 as Katy Hudson which failed with the closing of its record label that year. She recorded an album with production team The Matrix and completed most of a solo album from 2004–2005, neither of which was released.
After signing on with Capitol Music Group in 2007, her fourth record label in seven years, she adopted the stage name Katy Perry and released her first Internet single, “Ur So Gay”, that November, which garnered attention but did not chart. She rose to fame with her second single “I Kissed a Girl” in 2008, which topped international charts. Perry’s first mainstream album, One of the Boys, followed later that year and was eventually announced to be the thirty-third best selling album of 2008 worldwide.[1] It was accredited platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America; “I Kissed a Girl” and her second single “Hot n Cold” both received multi-platinum certifications….” -Wikipedia
The point is some people (actually a lot of people) sell themselves for mere fame and money.
Good girl.
congratulation. God bless you and continue to do the best as your father.
like farther like daughter. Way to go.
congratulation Abigail, the daughter of Ethiopian hero. We are very happy with the result of your effort and we are hopeful that your dad will be elected one the best heros of Ethiopia.
We appreciate both of you!
God bless you!!!!!!!!
congratulation sister keep up the good work after all you and other youngsters are the future of Ethiopia!
Congrats Abi! As we are proud of your father, we are also proud of you!
Congratulations! You are the pride of your family and of your community.
good job girl
congratulation Abi, you are a role model to our youth.
what a talent! … this is very capable young woman.
I am not surprised the daughter of Pro Alemayehu is honored with such thig at this age.
Keep doing the good work and may God bless you.
Africa needs scholars and wise men like Prof Alemayehu who can think out of the box.
Let all the educated and wise people of Ethiopia, Eritrea, Sudan, Somalia and Kenya rise up and speak up for the good of the majority. Let us break and eradicate pverty, sickness, backwardness and war from East Africa.
Peace and prosperity to East Africa
congratulation for our sister and her parents.
This is a family to be proud of.
Good for the community, good for talent and achievement and good contribution to the nation of Ethiopia and Africa.
God bless you and your parents.
congratulations girl!! I am so proud of you! and congratulations in order to the professor!!! this is leading a result of leading by example!!!
Congratulations Abi. I am proud of you and your dad. Keep up the good job.