Girma Yifrashewa, an accomplished pianist, recalls the excitement and challenges he faced when receiving his first piano. Now, he is involved in a project by the Pharo Foundation to raise funds for a girls’ boarding school in Ethiopia to have its own piano. The Homosha school in Benishangul-Gumuz state recently acquired a teaching piano after a long and difficult journey similar to Yifrashewa’s experience. Music has played a significant role in Yifrashewa’s life, allowing him to live beyond his wildest dreams. He has had an impressive international career and currently serves as the director of the Ashenafi Kebede performing arts center at Addis Ababa University.
The piano for the girls’ boarding school arrived after leaving London on an eight-hour flight and spending several weeks at customs before reaching Pharo Foundation’s office in Addis Ababa. Due to road closures caused by anti-government forces, it took an 11-hour van journey for the piano to finally reach its destination.
The Homosha school provides free education for girls who come from households affected by displacement or are orphans. In a region where less than half of all girls attend secondary school, musical opportunities are scarce. However, with the arrival of the piano, a local pianist will now teach regularly at the school.
In addition to this project, the Pharo Foundation is collaborating with Addis Ababa University’s Yared School of Music to design an innovative piano class specifically for these girls.
Yifrashewa reflects on his own musical journey and how he received his first piano back in 1995 through generous support from Irish Christian Brothers. Despite facing challenges at customs and having it detained for two months due to being considered a luxury item, he eventually managed to bring it home with great joy.
Nowadays, Yifrashewa owns a grand piano thanks to sponsors who recognized his talent and helped deliver it safely. Nevertheless, he still cherishes his first instrument that held so much significance in his life.