Cherinet Hariffo (born June 2, 2001)is a refugee from Ethiopia who now lives in the United States of America. Hariffo is a supporter of equal access to education and refugee rights. He fled his home country when he was nine, seeking safety and the chance to further his studies. He fell behind in his academic goals since he spent his formative years in a refugee camp, where he had few opportunities to participate in formal schooling. Hariffo Campaign for the rights of refugees, persons forced to escape their homes, young people from the global south, and underrepresented Africans. To that end, he advocates for accelerating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) implementation and engaging young people in the process of making public policy. Hariffo's personal experiences encouraged him to fight for SDG-related fields by speaking out and developing relationships with CSOs, NGOs, government, Academic Institutions, and state officials because he has a firsthand understanding of what it is like to be a refugee.

Formerly leading the African Diaspora Youth Network and Youth for Sustainable Development Goals 2030. Hariffo encouraged young people all around Africa to become the driving forces behind positive change in their local communities. Since he was 13 years old, he has been active in  numerous social justice movements that promote the participation of young people in political, economic, and social decision-making. Hariffo has confidence in the potential of today's youth to effect positive change in the world. Hariffo employs his knowledge and expertise to bring attention to critical concerns and the difficulties faced by people living in the global south.

Early life

Cherinet Hariffo was born in the Tigray Region of Ethiopia, which is situated in the country's uppermost region. His Ethiopian and Eritrean parents gave him a multicultural background to draw on. Hariffo's early schooling was completed at Full Gospel Primary School, although he had to start over again in the third grade due to a family crisis. When Hariffo was compelled to flee Ethiopia for Kenya, he was just nine years old at the time. His formative years were spent for the most part at the Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya, which is located in East Africa. The course of Hariffo's life has never been without challenges, but he has always shown the ability to overcome adversity, even from a young age. 

Hariffo has been a refugee in Kenya since he was a little child, and he has supported himself by doing manual labor activities during that time. In order to have something to eat, he went to get some water for the folks that were around him. He spent most of his time living on the streets of Nairobi. 

After his solitary journey to Kenya in the capacity of a refugee, he has found shelter in a number of different foster families. Hariffo would find himself in a state of limbo on a regular basis given the nature of foster care in the refugee situation with Heshima Kenya, which is often only temporary.

Education
The road to school for Hariffos has been rocky. During his early years, his academic pursuits were frequently sidetracked by unforeseen circumstances. Following his relocation to Kenya, he was accepted into the Valley bridge primary school in that country. After enduring adversity and completing grade eight, he was forced to withdraw from school because he lacked the resources necessary to meet his fundamental requirements. Then, in 2018, he relocated to the United States, where he enrolled in Lower Merion High school and ultimately earned his diploma in 2021.

At the moment, Hariffo is a student at Temple University, where he is majoring in political science and international studies.

Social advocacy

Cherinet Hariffo has been active in several different diaspora community organizations throughout his life. During the years 2020 and 2023, his most well-known action will be his vocal support for peace and stability in Ethiopia. He has long been one of the most notable contributions calling for global peace and an end to all forms of human suffering. In addition, Hariffo was the driving force behind the establishment of the youth organization 2030 for Sustainable Development. Young people have been given a platform that he has arranged and provided by him in order to help them advocate more successfully for their communities. In addition to that, Hariffo served the African Diaspora Youth Network as the vice president of the organization. As vice president of ADYN, Hariffo played a significant role in furthering the interests of young people from the global south by campaigning for and criticizing leaders who failed to engage young people from the global south in the decision-making process. This was done in the context of advancing the interests of young people from the global south. 

At a very young age, Hariiffo has been actively involved in several youth advocacy organizations, including UNA USA, UNICEF USA, and a number of others. Hariffo is also a participant in the Global Youth Ambassador Program (Their world), through which he works to promote educational opportunities for young people, particularly young girls. In addition to this, he is dedicated to expanding the educational opportunities available to refugees and those who have been displaced from their homes by promoting awareness and organizing group efforts.

Personal life

Hariffo's interests include playing soccer, swimming, and listening to music. Also, Hariffo is proficient in more than five other languages. His experiences abroad and the people he has met along the way have helped to form who he is now, and he has a strong desire to gain knowledge about a variety of societies and ways of life. In addition to that, he is interested in several linguistic fields. He is also proficient in English, Swahili, Amharic, and Oromo in addition to Tigrinya.

References

Sources
Commitment
BBC Story on Cherinet 
DW new on Cherinet 
UN News with Hariffo
ICGC Hariffo
Youth for peace
Cherinet at the UN
Cherinet at the UN ECOSOC
Habari za UN

External links
Advocate For Refugees

Living people
2001 births
Ethiopian emigrants to the United States
People from Tigray Region
Ethiopian refugees
Refugees in Kenya