Bakelo IDP Camp

The Bakelo IDP Camp is located 10km north of Debre Berhan city. It is home to 6,000 IDPs (internally displaced people) who have experienced profound loss. Here youth are under severe pressure to drop out of school. Despite the pressure, we found a group of 45 students from 8th to 12th grade who are facing the challenges and fighting for their education and their future.

Despite the overwhelming challenges these students remain positive, hopeful, and hardworking. They are the definition of resilience.

Our Program

In July of 2025, Elevate built a small library and began providing education, mentorship, and economic support for 45 students living in the IDP camp.

We also open the door for them to practice making an impact in their own community — once a week they themselves gather 30 younger students to pass on the life skills and encouragement they have received.

What We’ve Seen

Despite the short time since the beginning of the program, we have observed a remarkable change in the lives of the students in the program. Even more than the tangible accomplishments listed below, we have witnessed a stark restoration of hope and sense of dignity in their lives since joining Elevate.

Accomplishments we have seen at Bakelo include:

• More than 50% of students improved their academic results in the first semester since joining the program.

• The camp administration recognizes our project as one of the most effective and impactful interventions in the community.