In 2023, Asmahan Rabo, founder of Needs4Water, launched an educational support initiative at Yeka Kindergarten and Elementary School in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Her initial engagement revealed that over 75% of Grade 8 students lacked foundational English proficiency, posing a barrier to both academic success and effective understanding of WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) concepts. Drawing on regional exam analysis and community outreach, Asmahan initiated a tutoring program that embedded essential WASH vocabulary into after-school lessons.

She partnered with the Bego-Sitota Charitable Organization and invited local educators, including Dr. Daniel Digafie and Dr. Tsion Assefa, to support these efforts. During the Ethiopia 2025 WASH Survey—where Yeka was one of 25 schools surveyed—Dr. Tsion also translated the Water Insecurity Experience (WISE) questionnaire from English to Amharic. On survey day, local staff assisted in conducting interviews with students to assess WASH conditions and experiences.

Asmahan’s multilingual skills (English, Somali, Swahili) and Ethiopian residency allow her to bridge gaps in both language and culture, making her particularly effective in East African school and community settings. This initiative exemplifies Needs4Water’s integrated approach: pairing educational support with water quality improvements and survey-based data collection to foster long-term, community-led change.