Shama Institute for Cultural Exchange

05/08/2026

Every milestone achieved by a refugee leader is more than an individual accomplishment. It is a testament to what becomes possible when talent is recognized, leadership is trusted, and opportunities are made accessible. It also reflects the growing impact of refugee-led initiatives in building more inclusive communities and advancing sustainable development across Africa.

We are proud to celebrate another important milestone in Shama's journey.

We are proud to announce that our Project Manager, Faduma Abukar Awes, has been selected for the 4th Cohort of the Amahoro Fellowship Program—Africa's leading fellowship for refugee and displaced entrepreneurs and social change leaders. This year, only 41 leaders from across the continent were selected through a highly competitive process.

Faduma's selection is a recognition of her leadership, dedication, and commitment to creating opportunities for refugees and host communities. It is also a recognition of the vision we are building together at Shama.

When Shama was founded, we believed that language, culture, and creativity could become pathways to dignity, resilience, and economic opportunity. Less than a year later, that vision has grown into Ethiopia's first refugee-owned social enterprise, creating income opportunities for refugee and host-community educators, artists, and creators while connecting people across cultures through learning and exchange.

We believe Faduma's acceptance into the Amahoro Fellowship reflects the growing recognition that refugee-led enterprises are not only solving community challenges—they are building businesses, creating jobs, and contributing to inclusive economic growth across Africa.

Over the next year, we look forward to seeing Faduma learn from fellow entrepreneurs, strengthen her leadership, build new partnerships, and bring valuable insights back to Shama as we continue working toward our vision of becoming a global platform where culture, language, and creativity create opportunities for all.

Congratulations, Faduma.

Your success is a reflection of the possibilities that emerge when talent is given the opportunity to lead.

25/06/2026

From Solidarity to Empowerment
World Refugee Day 2026 in Addis Ababa was more than a commemorative event it was a powerful platform highlighting refugee leadership, inclusion, and partnership in shaping sustainable solutions.

Held under the global theme “Until Everyone is Safe,” the event brought together UNHCR leadership, government representatives, diplomatic missions, development partners, refugee-led organizations, and community leaders.

Organized by Shama Institute for Cultural Exchange, Ethio Friends Foundation for Refugees, and Tomorrow Is Better (TiB) in collaboration with the R-SEAT network, the event highlighted the growing role of refugees as leaders, innovators, and partners not only beneficiaries of assistance.
The program featured cultural performances, exhibitions, and a community bazaar showcasing refugee entrepreneurship, creativity, and resilience.

A key highlight was the participation of H.E. Barham Salih, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), as the guest of honor, alongside senior UNHCR leadership, reaffirming a strong global commitment to inclusion and durable solutions.

A gentle reminder:
Refugees are not defined by displacement, but by their potential, resilience, and contributions.
read more https://www.shama.institute/blog/from-solidarity-to-empowerment-world-refugee-day-2026-in-addis-ababa-highlights-refugee-leadership-in-shaping-solutions/

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency UN in Ethiopia Shama Institute for Cultural Exchange

11/06/2026

New at Shama: Somali 🇸🇴
Language learning is most powerful when it comes from people who live the language and understand the culture behind it.

That's why our programs focus on real conversations, personalized learning, and authentic cultural exchange led by dedicated educators.

As Ethiopia's first refugee-led institute, we are proud that our tutors continue to transform knowledge, experience, and resilience into opportunities for learners from around the world.

We're excited to welcome Somali to our growing community.

Enrollment is now open.

#صومالي #لغات #تعلم

10/06/2026

06/06/2026

At some point, a person does not choose to start over… they are forced to. But starting over does not mean the end.
At Shama, we do not see refugees as numbers or stories of loss, but as human beings who continue despite interruption.

We see in them the ability to learn, work, build, and make decisions when given the opportunity, Because strength is not defined by where a person comes from, but by what they become when they are forced to start again.
#لجوء

27/05/2026

ليست كل الأعياد مجرد فرحة…
بعضها يعيد للقلوب قربها الجميل.
يذكّرنا عيد الأضحى أن المحبة، والرحمة، والإنسانية اشياء تجمعنا دائمًا مهما اختلفت ثقافاتنا وأماكننا. 🤍
من معهد شمعة للتبادل الثقافي
عيد أضحى مبارك لكم ولمن تحبون.

21/05/2026

We are proud to highlight the new partnership between the Entrepreneurship Development Institute under the Ministry of Labor and Skills and ReSEE, an initiative driving inclusive entrepreneurship and economic opportunities for immigrants and refugees through skills development and tailored training programs .

20/05/2026

We searched for beauty through art, and found it in connection, belonging, and shared human moments.

Beauty is us… when we are together

07/05/2026

Art became the space that brought us together.

As part of the Every Place… Where Is the Beauty project, we visited Sudanese artist Shangal Hassan in Addis Ababa, where artists, refugees, and returnees from different backgrounds shared stories, perspectives, and moments of connection through art.

In the end, one feeling stayed with us:
Beauty is not tied to a place it lives within us and appears when we come together.

24/04/2026

كلمة: "سلام"
في العربية الفصحى : سلام تعني الطمأنينة ، الأمان ، والخلو من الأذى .
الجذر : س-ل-م
وهو يدل على السلامة ، النقاء ، والسكينة .

المشترك مع الأمهرية والتغرينية:
في اللغة الأمهرية والتغرينية توجد كلمة قريبة جدًا : "Selam / ሰላም" (سِلام)
وتُستخدم بنفس المعنى تقريبًا : السلام ، التحية ، الطمأنينة .

الجميل في هذه الكلمة أنها من اللغات السامية، لذلك الجذر والمعنى متقارب جدًا بين العربية والأمهرية والتغرينية ، وكأنها كلمة واحدة بروح واحدة عبر لغات مختلفة .

A single word Salam (sa-LAAM) shared across languages, carrying the same feeling: peace, safety, and calm. From Arabic to Amharic and Tigrinya, it’s more than a greeting , it’s a shared soul.

#سلام