Tigray Development Association in North America (TDANA) held a successful Annual Event.

TDANA held a very productive annual meeting event on July 24, 2025, in Seattle, Washington.

We began our annual meeting with a heartwarming welcome message from the Seattle chapter of the Tigray Development Association in North America. Berhane Belai, Seattle chapter leader, and members of the chapter leadership welcomed the attendees and invited sister organizations from the Seattle area to pass their solidarity messages.

After accepting the warm welcome, Dr Kidane, chairman of TDANA, presented the annual report highlighting the accomplishments of the year and the challenges faced throughout the year.

Following the executive report by Dr Kidane, Lemelm Woldearegay, the treasurer, presented the financial report that clearly showed funds raised and expenses made from each bank account TDANA has. The financial report showed that more money than collected was expensed due to the start of projects that were delayed due to the genocidal war.

Dr Kiros Guish, who heads the Tigray education department, joined the meeting via Zoom and presented the challenges and recent successes made in rebuilding the education system in Tigray. He recognized the support received from the diaspora, TDANA, as well as international partners. He also highlighted the areas the diaspora community should help with in the coming years.

During the question-and-answer session, members and participants raised very important questions and suggestions on ways to improve the low performance of recruiting new members and reenergizing chapters.

Board members assured participants and members that all suggestions will be taken seriously and that all efforts will be made to raise the membership level. They also assured to improve the working relationship with TDA International while maintaining TDANA’s status as an independent association guided by U.S law that is not governed by Ethiopia’s law.

The meeting lasted half a day and was followed by a tasty lunch sponsored by the Seattle TDANA chapter, women’s association, and community association.

TDANA Night, which was held at the Tigrayan Community Center, was an event to remember. The warmth of the community and the joy and camaraderie of the attendees were exemplary. The event place was full, and the dance hall was busy all night. People enjoyed and danced to the tune of the wonderful music of the DJ ‘s selections. All board members who attended the last three years' TDANA Night were unanimous in their selection that this year's event was the best of all. The food and drinks were all donated.

TDANA was also in full attendance during the public demonstration held to demand the U.S government to play its role in averting a new war, to hold genociders accountable, and to return IDPs to their home by restoring Tigray’s sovereignty on July 25,2025.