Ethiopia Education 100,000 Students

In 2014 John Cantlin joined an Ethiopian Non-profit founded by his Grandfather to revolutionize education for those who needed it most. Ethiopians live in a highly rural environment, and education is their only way out. John Cantlin developed an Educational Technology, also called our “Learning Labs,” an intel-based device that provided K-12 learning materials to the most underserved people on the planet.

Each Learning Lab included our learning device, headphones, and a Chromebook. Our classrooms would seat 25-30 students, with more demand than we had hoped for. Children and students would walk barefoot or by donkey up to 20 miles to sleep on the floor of the classroom for weeks on end without any food.

This gave John Cantlin a new perspective on life, and he was filled with passion, love, and a desire to help in any way possible.

Written/Directed By John Cantlin

This project has a special connection to Ethiopia, traced back to Betty and Bill Graff (founders of ET Learns), former Peace Corps volunteers who met and worked in local schools and universities in Ethiopia since the 1960s. Bill and Betty Graff married in Ethiopia and dedicated their lives to serving the most underserved people in the world. To continue their legacy of service, the Graffs established ET Learns, an organization dedicated to supporting students and teachers throughout Ethiopia.

Over the years, Bill Betty has significantly contributed to education in Ethiopia, including delivering over 300,000 new books to school libraries, digital books, and educational materials. As technology progressed, so did ET Learns, continually seeking to improve education in Ethiopia.

In addition to past achievements, ET Learns remains focused on the future, implementing several projects designed to enhance Ethiopian schools using technology. ET Learns plans to use educational content servers, Chromebooks, local intranet connections, and other technological advancements to provide Ethiopian students with a 21st-century education.

The Mission

OUR MISSION: PROVIDE MODERN EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY TO STUDENTS AND TEACHERS IN THE MOST UNDERSERVED PARTS OF ETHIOPIA

Ethiopia is at a turning point in its history. A longtime underdog, the proud Ethiopian people have had to fight for many of the opportunities we take for granted. We believe everyone deserves a chance to learn – a chance to succeed.

With over 40 years of experience working in Ethiopia, ET Learns looks to the future. We aim to empower individuals, families, and communities through access to quality education and modern technology. Together, we can provide a future that students and teachers so desperately need.