Dr. Magi Tareke debuts The Ashenda Girl on May 10, 2025, celebrating culture, refugee girls’ resilience, and empowerment with the Ethiopian Community Development Council.
-- United States - Dr. Mearg “Magi” Tareke, pharmacist, author and humanitarian, is pleased to announce the official launch of her debut children’s book, The Ashenda Girl: A Celebration of Girls, Freedom, and Joy, on May 10, 2025, at the Ethiopian Community Development Council in Washington, D.C. This event marks the unveiling of both the English edition and a new Tigrinya translation, inviting families, educators and community leaders to rediscover a centuries-old Tigrayan festival through the eyes of a young refugee.
The Ashenda Girl follows Rigat, a spirited young girl living in a Sudanese refugee camp, as she experiences Ashenda for the first time. Guided by her older sister Lidya, Rigat dons an intricate Tilfi dress, joins in joyful song and dance, and learns the deeper meaning of her heritage. Written for readers aged 5 to 10, this heartwarming tale introduces children to themes of resilience, sisterhood and cultural pride against the backdrop of real-world challenges.
Dr. Tareke, originally from Ethiopia and now based in the U.S., holds a Doctor of Pharmacy degree and is the founder of My Shoes Your Shoes, a nonprofit that provides footwear and school supplies to under resourced children. Her real-life humanitarian work in a Sudanese refugee camp in 2022 inspired her to write The Ashenda Girl, blending her passion for education, cultural storytelling and community empowerment.
Beyond a single story, The Ashenda Girl is the cornerstone of a global cultural and philanthropic movement. Brand collaborations, community gatherings, fashion activations and traditional food celebrations will accompany the book’s rollout, fostering meaningful engagement with Habesha culture and encouraging supporters worldwide to champion girl-focused initiatives.
At the heart of this movement is My Shoes Your Shoes. Since its founding in 2014, the nonprofit has delivered hundreds of pairs of shoes and educational materials to girls who once walked barefoot to school. Dr. Tareke emphasizes sustainable giving, encouraging monetary donations so local partners can source shoes that respect both practical needs and cultural sensibilities. A gift of $5 provides one pair of shoes; $10 provides two.
“Ashenda is more than a celebration, it’s a reminder that even in the darkest places, girls carry light, beauty and strength,” says Dr. Mearg “Magi” Tareke. “When you uplift one girl, you uplift a generation, and that is how we change the world, one step at a time.”
Members of the media, community leaders and book enthusiasts are invited to attend a morning of story time with the author, traditional Tigrayan music and dance, and an Ashenda-inspired fashion showcase. The event is to be held on May 10th from 1pm-5pm EDT at the Ethiopian Community Development Council (ECDC) located at 901 South Highland Street Arlington, VA 22204.
Please RSVP by May 8th at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-ashenda-girl-book-release-cultural-celebration-tickets-1303772040269. For more information on the book and related initiatives, please visit www.theashendagirl.com.
About the Author
Dr. Mearg “Magi” Tareke (PharmD) is a pharmacist, author, humanitarian and former international model who immigrated to the United States from East Africa in 2011. Deeply moved by the sight of girls walking barefoot to school in her hometown, she founded My Shoes Your Shoes to provide footwear and school supplies to underserved communities. A 2022 visit to the Tunaydbah refugee camp in Sudan, where she helped organize an Ashenda celebration, sparked the inspiration for The Ashenda Girl.
In addition to her work in healthcare and fashion, Magi is committed to empowering girls and preserving cultural identity through storytelling. She made history as the first African woman to appear on ABC's The Bachelor and continues to use her platform to advocate for education, dignity, and joy for all children.
About My Shoes Your Shoes
Founded in 2014, My Shoes Your Shoes is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving access to education and dignity by providing shoes and supplies to girls in developing communities. To date, it has delivered over 5000 pairs of shoes in rural East Africa, supporting school attendance and inspiring confidence in every step.
Follow @magitareke on Instagram for updates and behind-the-scenes from the event
Contact Info:
Name: Magi Tareke
Email: Send Email
Organization: Author
Website: https://theashendagirl.com/
Release ID: 89158545
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