About Us

Gezana (ገዛና) means "Our Home”

Gezana-BBT Foundation Inc.

Gezana-BBT Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to fostering a brighter future for those affected by conflict, violence, and natural disasters. Our mission transcends barriers of race, nationality, and politics, aiming to support individuals impacted by various crises.

Gezana (ገዛና) has its origins in the Tigrigna language and it means “Our Home.”

Effective March 22, 2024 Gezana-BBT Foundation Inc. has been granted tax-exempt status.

Gezana-BBT, established amidst the onset of the devastating war in November 2020, bore witness to the widespread conflict engulfing the Tigray Region. The war involved Federal Ethiopian forces, armed Amhara ethnic paramilitary forces, and the Eritrean government. Over two years of conflict resulted in thousands of civilian casualties, widespread rape, and displacement of tens of thousands to Sudan as refugees. The region faced extensive destruction, including burned crops, looted hospitals and schools, and the targeting of educated professionals, leaving a devastating impact on communities.

The repercussions of the war extend far beyond Tigray, impacting neighboring regions such as Amhara and Afar, where deep-rooted animosity may linger for years. Urgent efforts for reconciliation are imperative, calling for a long-term initiative to promote healing among all affected communities.

Founded in the wake of a ceasefire agreement, Gezana-BBT responds to the critical needs arising from the two-year conflict, which ravaged Tigray from 2020 to 2022. With healthcare, education, economic, and social systems in disarray, the foundation aims to provide comprehensive support to rebuild and empower communities for a brighter future.

The foundation’s vision of a peaceful and prosperous Tigray begins with building better individuals, families, institutions, and the region as a whole. Its mission focuses on empowering victims through humanitarian aid, capacity building, and consultancy services to enhance service delivery in both public and private sectors.

Through a holistic approach termed BBT-HOME, Gezana-BBT endeavors to provide life-saving aid, training programs, and consulting services, aiming to create a more resilient infrastructure, institutions, and society, ensuring every individual affected has the foundation to rebuild a peaceful and prosperous future.

Vision

  • A future where communities affected by war and conflict rebuild with unwavering support and resilience.
  • Peace and prosperity at the individual, familial, institutional, and regional levels.

Mission

  • A future where communities affected by war and conflict rebuild with unwavering support and resilience.
  • Peace and prosperity at the individual, familial, institutional, and regional levels.

Goals

  • Provide immediate life-saving aid to affected individuals and communities.
  • Develop and implement training programs for professional skill enhancement and institutional capacity building.
  • Offer expert services in building resilient infrastructures and systems.
  • Optimize the effectiveness and efficiency of social services and humanitarian aid distribution.

Objectives

  • Provide humanitarian aid to 1000-5000 individuals annually.
  • Train professionals and partner with institutions for capacity building.
  • Provide expertise for resilient systems within five years.
  • Create conducive volunteering and gainful working environments for retired professionals and leaders.
  • Collaborate with like-minded organizations to improve service delivery mechanisms.

Our Core Values

Finance & Accountability: We continually assess our financial health in term of stability, efficiency & sustainability. We are committed to good governance practices & policies.

Leadership & Adaptability: We endeavor to enhance the organization’s leadership capacity, strategic thinking & planning, it’s ability to innovate or respond to changes in constituent demand/need or other relevant social and economic conditions to achieve the organization’s mission.

Impact & Results: Our organization is positively impacting the lives of people that it serves by making efficient use of donor resources to achieve the positive impact.

Culture & Community: Our organization consistently engages with the community that it serves. It continuously strives to improve people’s lives based on constructive feedback to better deliver on our programs & meet the needs of all our stakeholders.

Our Logo

Outer Circle
Symbolizes Mother Earth and the interconnectedness of humanity
Green Leaves
Signify nature's rejuvenating presence
Houses/Cottages
Represent our home (Gezana - ገዛና)
community (Sebna - ሰብና)
neighborhood (Kebabina - ከባቢና)
and
nation (Adina - ዓዲና)
Spoked Wheel
Represents the cosmos and calls for peace
Spinning Motion
Symbolizes collective progress and the creative action of love.
The Sun
The Sun at the center symbolizes hope, renewal, and gratitude, urging people to sing with grieving hearts at sunrise and embrace hope, harmony, and faith.
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  1. Outer Circle: Symbolizes Mother Earth and the interconnectedness of humanity
  2. Green Leaves: Signify nature’s rejuvenating presence.
  3. Houses/Cottages: Represent our home (Gezana – ገዛና), community (Sebna – ሰብና), neighborhood (Kebabina – ከባቢና), and
    nation (Adina – ዓዲና).
  4. Spoked Wheel: Represents the cosmos and calls for peace.
  5. Spinning Motion: Symbolizes collective progress and the creative action of love.
  6. The Sun at the center symbolizes hope, renewal, and gratitude, urging people to sing with grieving hearts at sunrise and embrace hope, harmony, and faith.