Where curiosity grows: a library and innovation center built for youth to learn, create, play, and dream beyond the challenges around them.
Yohans Zerihun is an innovator through and through. He has taken his experience and education and put them to work changing the landscape of the rural parts of Ethiopia, he calls home. One of those projects, the first, happened not long after he graduated and is still changing lives today.
A Bright Idea Born in a Challenging Place
In a rural area marked by years of conflict and harsh climate conditions, something remarkable has taken shape: a public library and innovation hub founded by siblings Yohans and his sister. Fresh out of university, instead of heading straight into career life, they made a bold, beautiful decision: to build a place where young people could learn, explore, create, and simply be kids again.
It’s the kind of story that makes you smile, because it proves that even in difficult environments, hope has a way of rebuilding itself one book, one idea, one young mind at a time. All it takes is a little passion, a little magic, and the right person (or persons!).
Turning a Vision Into a Community Treasure
What started as a simple “what if?” conversation soon became a full community project. Yohans and his sister wanted to create a safe, inspiring space where young people could grow academically and creatively. They imagined a place where resources were abundant, opportunities were visible, and curiosity was encouraged.
And they didn’t just imagine it, or wish it would happen, they made it real. They did that.
Together, they gathered books, prepared digital materials, set up computers, and transformed an empty space into something meaningful. The moment the doors opened, the community felt an immediate shift. Suddenly, there was a place designed with them in mind, a center that belonged to everyone.
A Library Filled With More Than Pages
One of the highlights of the center is its growing library. It holds over 900 hard-copy books spanning fiction, science, history, exam guides, children’s literature, and biographies, you name it. Whether someone wants to escape into a story, study for school, or explore a new subject, the shelves offer a comforting abundance of options.
But that’s not all. The siblings put everything into this center.
They have also built an impressive digital collection of over 3000 digital books and 800 educational videos stored on a dedicated computer. These digital resources have quickly become a favorite among students who love discovering interactive content or subjects they’ve never encountered before.
In a community where access to information has long been limited, this library does more than provide knowledge. It truly opens doors that were once firmly shut. It is a stepping stone for people to get the same opportunities Yohans did, to grow and expand their minds, to learn, to innovate, and, maybe, to give back to their communities, just like he has.
The Innovation Hub: Where Ideas Come to Life
Yohans and his sister knew that today’s world requires more than books alone. Young people need exposure to technology, digital skills, and hands-on learning. So they created something that was more than just a brick-and-mortar library. The Mekdim Library and Creativity Lab is somewhere that nurtures the mind, the creativity, and the soul of anyone who visits. That’s why they call it an innovation hub; it’s a vibrant center that encourages exploration and experimentation.
The hub is a place where local youth can:
- Tinker with tech tools
- Experiment with creative ideas
- Collaborate on school or community projects
- Explore coding basics
- Get familiar with digital learning
- Share and develop innovations
Sure, it’s not a high-tech Silicon Valley lab, but that’s exactly what makes it powerful. It proves that innovation doesn’t require flashy gadgets. All it needs is curiosity, a computer, and a supportive environment.
The hub has already become a buzzing spot where students gather, debate ideas, and proudly share their small inventions and projects. In a place recovering from years of hardship, this corner delivers something priceless: the belief that creativity and possibility belong to everyone.
Keeping Learning Fun
One of the most heartwarming parts of the center is the small entertainment corner. A cozy addition created with the simple idea that young people don’t just need to study; they need to relax, laugh, and enjoy themselves.
The entertainment area helps kids unwind after school or reading sessions. It’s become a natural gathering place where friendships form, laughter echoes, and the stress of daily life, not to mention the lingering weight of conflict, momentarily melts away.
This thoughtful blend of learning and fun makes the space feel alive and welcoming. It’s not a strict academic environment; it’s a community home for growth and joy.
It’s exactly what somewhere needs after so many years of hardship and pain within the community, and really, it could only have been built by people who knew the pain, who understood what the town had gone through.
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Millie Ramm
Millie has been writing since she was a child, and has spent more time with her nose in books than anywhere else. She has been ghostwriting novels and editing for the past few years, and when not working she is curled up with her cats, looking for her next read.
