Scholarship Application Letter Dietitian in Ethiopia Addis Ababa – Free Word Template Download with AI

Abebech Tadesse
P.O. Box 4567, Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
October 26, 2023

Dr. Samuel Mekonnen
Scholarship Committee Chair
Ethiopian Nutrition Institute (ENI)
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Dear Dr. Mekonnen and Esteemed Scholarship Committee,

It is with profound enthusiasm and deep commitment to transforming nutritional healthcare in our nation that I submit my comprehensive Scholarship Application Letter for the prestigious Full Scholarship Program to pursue advanced studies in Dietetics at the Ethiopian Nutrition Institute (ENI) in Addis Ababa. As a dedicated public health professional witnessing Ethiopia's escalating burden of malnutrition—particularly among children under five and pregnant women—I have resolved to become a certified Dietitian whose work will directly address these critical challenges within our communities.

Having completed my Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Food Science from Addis Ababa University with distinction (GPA: 3.8/4.0), I have spent the past three years working as a community health nutritionist across rural Oromia and urban Addis Ababa. This experience crystallized my understanding of Ethiopia's complex nutritional landscape: while we face acute food insecurity in drought-prone regions, Addis Ababa grapples with rising obesity rates and diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among the growing urban middle class. In my current role at the Bole District Health Office, I've counseled over 1,200 patients on diabetes management through culturally appropriate dietary interventions—yet I recognize that without specialized Dietitian training, our impact remains limited to symptomatic care rather than systemic prevention.

My decision to pursue advanced studies in Addis Ababa is deeply rooted in Ethiopia's unique context. As Africa's second-most populous nation, Ethiopia faces a dual burden of undernutrition and overnutrition that demands locally adapted solutions. The Ethiopian Ministry of Health's "National Nutrition Program (2021-2030)" explicitly identifies specialized Dietitians as key personnel for achieving its targets, yet only 5% of our health facilities have certified Dietitian staff. Addis Ababa—the political, economic and educational epicenter—offers the ideal environment to develop this expertise. The city's diverse population—from pastoralist communities in the outskirts to international organizations in Bole and Arat Kilo—provides unparalleled opportunity to design culturally responsive dietary protocols for Ethiopia's mosaic of ethnic groups. I am particularly eager to collaborate with ENI's research team on their ongoing study of traditional Ethiopian grains (like teff and sorghum) for diabetes prevention, a project that aligns perfectly with my proposed thesis on "Integrating Indigenous Cereals into Clinical Nutrition Guidelines."

My academic journey has prepared me to maximize this scholarship. During my undergraduate studies, I co-authored a research paper on micronutrient deficiencies in Addis Ababa's informal settlements, presented at the Ethiopian Public Health Association conference. I've also completed specialized training in clinical nutrition assessment (via WHO e-learning) and mastered dietary software used by Ethiopia's health facilities. However, what truly distinguishes my candidacy is my commitment to community-centered practice: I developed a successful school-based nutrition program for 200 children at Yeka Elementary School that increased fruit consumption by 65% through culturally relevant cooking demonstrations using local ingredients. This approach—centered on respecting Ethiopia's culinary heritage while incorporating evidence-based science—is precisely what the nation needs in its next generation of Dietitians.

I understand that the Scholarship Application Letter must demonstrate not just capability but also a clear vision for service. My five-year plan begins with completing the ENI's Master of Dietetics program, followed by establishing an outpatient clinic at Addis Ababa's St. Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College focused on NCD prevention for low-income urban populations. I will collaborate with local farmers' associations to create "Nutrition Gardens" in community centers where patients grow and prepare therapeutic foods like lentil-based dishes (a staple in Ethiopian cuisine). This model has already shown promise in my pilot project, where 82% of participants maintained improved blood sugar levels through culturally familiar dietary patterns. After two years, I aim to expand this to all five Addis Ababa districts, training community health workers as nutrition ambassadors—a strategy explicitly recommended by the WHO African Regional Office.

The financial barrier is my primary obstacle. As the sole breadwinner for my aging parents and younger siblings in rural Shashemene, I cannot afford the $2,500 annual tuition and living expenses without support. This scholarship would be transformative: it would enable me to focus entirely on clinical training rather than seeking part-time work that compromises my studies. I am prepared to dedicate 15 hours weekly at ENI's community outreach clinics as a student intern—providing direct value while gaining practical experience—in exchange for this opportunity.

What makes my application uniquely aligned with Ethiopia Addis Ababa's needs is my deep understanding of local context. I have navigated Addis Ababa's complex health infrastructure—from the Ministry of Health offices in Bole to informal market clinics—and understand how to bridge gaps between policy and practice. My fluency in Amharic, Oromo and English allows me to communicate effectively across Ethiopia's linguistic diversity. Most importantly, I embody the "Ethiopian spirit of service" (mäyäwärä wänät) that drives our public health workers—evidenced by my 18 months of voluntary nutrition education during the 2021 floods in Addis Ababa's flood-prone areas.

As I conclude this Scholarship Application Letter, I reflect on a conversation with a grandmother in Gulele neighborhood who told me: "When you help our children eat right, you heal the whole nation." That moment defined my path to becoming a Dietitian. With your support through this scholarship opportunity, I will translate that vision into action—becoming one of Ethiopia's 500 new Dietitians by 2030 as outlined in the National Nutrition Program. My training in Addis Ababa will not just be academic; it will be a commitment to serve the city that has nurtured my growth and where I intend to build my professional life.

I am prepared to provide all additional documentation upon request, including letters of recommendation from Dr. Alemayehu Kebede (Director of Public Health at Addis Ababa City Administration) and Professor Tadelech Gebre (my undergraduate thesis advisor). Thank you for considering my application with the seriousness it deserves—this scholarship is not merely an investment in me, but in Ethiopia's future health resilience.

Respectfully submitted,

Abebech Tadesse

Bachelor of Science, Nutrition & Food Science (Addis Ababa University)

Community Health Nutritionist, Bole District Health Office

Email: [email protected] | Phone: +251 911 234 567

Word Count: 872

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