OUR HISTORY
When Israel was around the age of 5, Ethiopia was going through very hard times as the country was experiencing one of the worst famines to date. Israel took the responsibility for his family and began waking up around 3AM each morning to walk and go buy bread. Shortly after, Israel’s dad, “Dejene” gave him the nickname “Megabi”. Megabi is an Amharic word that means “to bring life to others”. As Israel has continued to bring life to others, it was his father who suggested that he name the organization after the nickname he was once given. This is the mission of Megabi; to continue bringing life to others.
Israel and his siblings, Tirfe, Dawit, Dergu, Elsa (and Israel)
1989 - Israel was given the nickname, "Megabi" - the one who brings life
2005 - Israel returned home with the first skateboard brought to Ethiopia.
2006 - Israel realized that the skateboard he had could be a tool he could use to invest into the next generation. He began teaching kids in his neighborhood how to skate.
2007 - As more kids continued to come and skate, all sharing that one skateboard, the vision for Megabi was born.
2010 - Israel received 5 new skateboards from David Sprecher (AKA Yeti Beats).
2012 - A team from a U.S. based NGO - “Christian Skaters” travel to visit Israel and help build the first skate ramp in Ethiopia.
2012 - Israel’s efforts continued to grow and became noticed by more including Tony Hawk. Tony sends 20 new skateboards and more kids continue to fall in love with skateboarding.
2013 - Israel receives a second skate ramp after a large city outreach event hosted by Luis Palau in Addis Adaba.
2013 - Israel and the kids learned to build wooden ramps and started making their own ramps with local materials, and that was the first skate park in Ethiopia / East Africa
2013 - The Megabi House provides a home for kids.
2014 - Israel won global citizens award.
2015 - A team of pro skaters, led by Tony Hawk and Nyjah Huston along with the founder of California Skateparks - Joe Ciaglia traveled to partner alongside Israel to build a permanent concrete mini ramp.
2016 - Israel invited to the US to do a speech on skateboarding hall of fame and how skateboarding has brought a positive impact in the world the same day skateboarding was announced to be part of the Olympics.
Today and beyod - pushing forward toward a better future
