Bethel Mekane Yesus School
Bethel Mekane Yesus School
The story of Bethel Mekane Yesus School began with a vision to transform lives through education, healthcare and the Gospel.
An American physician and Presbyterian missionary, Dr. Lambie came to western Ethiopia during the Spanish influenza epidemic. After providing medical care in Sayo, present-day Dembi Dollo, he and his colleagues were invited to stay — and their work soon grew beyond healthcare into ministry and education.
Dr. Lambie later expanded the mission's work to Gore and Addis Ababa, where he received land in the Gullele area. A hospital and missionary centre were established there, treating the wealthy and the poor with equal dignity and compassion.
Education developed alongside the medical and spiritual work of the mission. With support from Ethiopian leaders and the missionary community, a boarding school began operating in Addis Ababa — following the national curriculum while also providing biblical education and additional learning opportunities. From its earliest years, the school became respected for academic discipline, Christian values and the quality of its teachers.
During the Italian occupation, most foreign missionaries were forced to leave Ethiopia. With limited resources — and, at times, only a small number of students — the school continued its work rather than close its doors.
Following the end of the occupation, the school moved to its present location and gradually expanded its services. It grew from a primary school into a full educational institution serving students from kindergarten through Grade 12. This ability to endure reflects the faith, courage and commitment of generations of teachers, administrators, church leaders, students, parents and supporters.
It was first known as the Annie Campbell George Memorial Girls' School, named in memory of the wife of a major benefactor who supported the establishment of the mission hospital. It later became widely known as the American Mission Girls' School, a name used by the surrounding community and in educational records. As Ethiopian leadership increasingly assumed responsibility, it became Yehiwot Birhan — "Light of Life." The name was later changed to Bethel Mekane Yesus School, reflecting the school's Christian foundation and its relationship with the Bethel Synods and the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus.
BMYS marks 100 years since its 1924 founding — recognized today by the Addis Ababa Education Bureau and continuing to follow the Ministry of Education curriculum, still grounded in Christian faith and service.
Its roots can be traced to the missionary work of Dr. Thomas Lambie, an American physician and Presbyterian missionary who came to western Ethiopia during the Spanish influenza epidemic of 1918.
After providing medical care in Sayo, present-day Dembi Dollo, Dr. Lambie and his colleagues were invited to remain in the area. Their work gradually expanded beyond healthcare to include Christian ministry and education.
The missionaries quickly recognized that educating girls was essential to building strong families, churches and communities. This conviction led to the establishment of one of the earliest Christian schools dedicated to the education of girls in Ethiopia.
Dr. Lambie later expanded the mission's work to Gore and Addis Ababa. In Addis Ababa, he received land in the Gullele area, where a hospital and missionary centre were established. The hospital became known for serving people from all backgrounds, treating the wealthy and the poor with equal dignity and compassion.
Education developed alongside the medical and spiritual work of the mission. With support from Ethiopian leaders and the missionary community, a boarding school began operating in Addis Ababa in 1924. The school followed the national curriculum while also providing biblical education and additional learning opportunities.
From its earliest years, the school became respected for academic discipline, Christian values and the quality of its teachers. Some of its students later continued their education abroad and returned to serve Ethiopia in government, education and other professional fields.
The school's history has included periods of significant hardship. During the Italian occupation, many foreign missionaries were forced to leave Ethiopia. Despite limited resources and, at one point, only a small number of students, the school continued its work.
Following the end of the occupation, the school moved to its present location and gradually expanded its services. It grew from a primary school into a full educational institution serving students from kindergarten through Grade 12.
This ability to endure reflects the faith, courage and commitment of generations of teachers, administrators, church leaders, students, parents and supporters.
As the school developed, its name changed to reflect its history, leadership and identity.
It was first known as the Annie Campbell George Memorial Girls' School, named in memory of the wife of a major benefactor who supported the establishment of the mission hospital.
It later became widely known as the American Mission Girls' School, a name used by the surrounding community and in educational records.
As Ethiopian leadership increasingly assumed responsibility for the institution, the school was renamed Yehiwot Birhan, meaning "Light of Life."
The name was later changed to Bethel Mekane Yesus School, reflecting the school's Christian foundation and its relationship with the Bethel Synods and the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus.
Since its establishment, Bethel Mekane Yesus School has remained committed to the education of girls.
At a time when educational opportunities for girls were extremely limited, the school created a place where young women could receive strong academic instruction, grow in faith and prepare for lives of leadership and service.
Over the decades, BMYS has educated generations of women who have gone on to serve as teachers, healthcare professionals, business leaders, public servants, church leaders and community builders.
Their achievements remain an important part of the school's legacy.
The foundation of BMYS is expressed in the biblical teaching:
The school believes that education should develop the whole person. Academic excellence is therefore combined with spiritual growth, character formation, discipline, compassion and service to others.
The missionaries who established the school believed that education and the Gospel could bring hope and lasting transformation. That vision continues to guide the BMYS community today.
Bethel Mekane Yesus School honours the missionaries, Ethiopian church leaders, educators, administrators and community members who contributed to its growth.
Special recognition is given to pioneers such as Dr. Thomas Lambie and the many medical professionals, teachers, pastors and supporters who served under difficult circumstances.
The school also recognizes the contribution of the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus, the Bethel Synods, government education offices, school board members, teachers, staff, parents, alumni and international partners.
Their collective commitment has enabled BMYS to continue educating and empowering girls for more than a century.
Today, Bethel Mekane Yesus School continues to serve girls from kindergarten through Grade 12.
The school is recognized by the Addis Ababa Education Bureau and follows the curriculum established by the Ministry of Education. It remains committed to providing quality education grounded in Christian faith, strong values and service to society.
As BMYS enters its next century, it carries forward a proud history while preparing a new generation of young women to learn, lead and make a difference.
In 2024, BMYS marked a century since its founding in 1924 — celebrating with alumnae, church leaders, teachers and current students. Watch the centennial celebration below.
Former students of the school's eras — American Mission Girls' School, Yehiwot Birhan, and Bethel Mekane Yesus School — stay connected through the AYBS Alumni Association, which runs mentorship programs, scholarships and an annual reunion for graduates around the world.