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Leadership Profile
Founder & Vice Director
Lelisa Abera Gamtesa
Biography & Background
Born in Begi, Oromia, 26-year-old Lalisa Abera learned the weight of hardship early in life when he lost his mother as a child. Rather than letting grief define him, he channeled his pain into a deep, unwavering empathy for others, choosing to live by a single truth: true fulfillment comes from serving those who suffer.
In 2021, when Lalisa relocated to Nekemte to pursue his degree in Computer Science at New Generation University College, his commitment to service only grew stronger. Alongside his studies, he spent his free time walking the streets of Nekemte, reaching out to vulnerable community members and offering immediate assistance to those in need.
A pivotal moment came in 2022 when Lalisa met Teshale Tamiru, a fellow advocate who shared his vision for social change. Harnessing the power of digital connectivity, the two young men mobilized a grassroots network of compassionate supporters on social media. Together, they began traveling across the Oromia region, delivering vital aid and support to marginalized communities, orphans, and people living with severe disabilities.
What began as quiet acts of kindness soon transformed into a movement of hope. As their outreach touched thousands of lives, Teshale and Lelisa formally co-founded the ATIS NAMA Foundation. Today, as a Computer Science graduate and the Vice Director of the foundation, Lalisa continues to turn personal trial into public good—bringing relief to the suffering and hope to vulnerable populations across Oromia
In 2021, when Lalisa relocated to Nekemte to pursue his degree in Computer Science at New Generation University College, his commitment to service only grew stronger. Alongside his studies, he spent his free time walking the streets of Nekemte, reaching out to vulnerable community members and offering immediate assistance to those in need.
A pivotal moment came in 2022 when Lalisa met Teshale Tamiru, a fellow advocate who shared his vision for social change. Harnessing the power of digital connectivity, the two young men mobilized a grassroots network of compassionate supporters on social media. Together, they began traveling across the Oromia region, delivering vital aid and support to marginalized communities, orphans, and people living with severe disabilities.
What began as quiet acts of kindness soon transformed into a movement of hope. As their outreach touched thousands of lives, Teshale and Lelisa formally co-founded the ATIS NAMA Foundation. Today, as a Computer Science graduate and the Vice Director of the foundation, Lalisa continues to turn personal trial into public good—bringing relief to the suffering and hope to vulnerable populations across Oromia
