'Rarely an inspiring book appears on an utterly neglected field of education in Oromia, Ethiopia, as Roots of Resilience does. It offers an invaluable window on how a united youth activists utilized the evolution of formal education as a strategic response, not just a tool but a weapon of necessity, a revolutionary act in itself and achieving an imagined future.' - Prof. Mohammad Hassan, Prof. of History, Georgia Univ., Emeritus. 'The author, Dr. Gemechu, whose family is closely associated to the movement as founders and active participants in this collective endeavor, shares with passion the struggle for justice through education in the region from its introduction in the 1950s. It was a tortuous journey due to unfavorable political and sociological contexts, until the advent of post Derg regime when basic schools were integrated in the formal public education system. The author recognizes, rightly, the key role played by the Adventist mission School based at Kuyera in setting the stage for success in many ways.' -Abbas Haji Gnamo, Ph.D., University of Toronto, author of Conquest and Resistances in the Ethiopian Empire 'Drawing on meticulous research, oral testimony, and evocative narrative, the author brings to life the resilience and ingenuity of a generation that defied Ethiopia's oppressive feudal order to claim education as a tool of liberation and justice. It is a testament to the power of indigenous activism and the enduring legacy of community-led transformation.' -Hamdesa Tuso, Ph.D., founding member of the rural education movement in Oromia and editor of Creating the Third Force: Indigenous Processes of Peacemaking. 'A vital and illuminating work - essential reading for anyone drawn to the transformative power of education, the moral force of grassroots movements, and the living history of Africa. This book not only deepens our understanding of The History of the Arsi Oromo Movement in Building Educational Resistance, but affirms the enduring capacity of ordinary people to shape culture, challenge injustice, and renew civic life.' - Semere T. Habtemariam, author of Reflections on the Abyssinian Orthodox Tewahdo Church 'The author makes an important and convincing scholarly contribution about the role of Oromo youth in creating a school system that not only transformed the Arsi region in the 1960s but also contributed to the revolution in the Ethiopian state in the 1970s. This book will be of great interest to scholars of Ethiopian history, political science, religion, anthropology, and education.'- Dr. Steven W. Thomas, Chair, English Department, Tennessee Tech University
