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Meet Our Founder and President

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LaTesa Hughes, DVM, MS

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Dr. LaTesa Hughes is an accomplished individual with a diverse background and a passion for education, language, and bridging the gap between communities. As a trained Laboratory Animal Medicine Veterinarian, she has worked at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), specifically the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), from 2008 to 2018.

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Her academic journey includes earning a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Tuskegee University in 2006. Following that, she completed a Laboratory Animal Medicine Residency/Master's Program at the Pennsylvania State University-Hershey Medical School in 2008. In addition to her expertise in veterinary medicine, Dr. Hughes is also a certified Teacher of English for Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) and holds the credential of Master Trainer from the Association for Talent Development, showcasing her dedication to facilitating learning opportunities for individuals of all backgrounds.

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Dr. Hughes' interest in Ethiopia was sparked by her church's affiliation with an Ethiopian church and her staff's connection to the country. After visiting Ethiopia for the first time in May 2016, she recognized the great need and interest in learning the English language within the community. Motivated by this, she made the bold decision to resign from her job at NIH in 2018 and move to Ethiopia to become a volunteer English teacher. Initially offering free English classes for church members and the local community, Dr. Hughes quickly expanded her efforts to teach English to individuals of all ages, ranging from kindergarten to college level. As the COVID-19 pandemic emphasized the education gap disparity in Ethiopia, she saw the crucial role of English fluency in helping individuals escape poverty and gain access to better job opportunities. This realization led her to establish All Children Count (ACC) in September 2020, aiming to address the lack of quality education opportunities for children from low-income families in Ethiopia.

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As the Founder, President, and Representative of ACC in Ethiopia, Dr. Hughes wears multiple hats in her mission to improve education in the country. Beyond being a veterinary consultant and lecturer, she is actively involved in teaching English at all grade levels and to adults, developing curricula, and training teachers to enhance their English language instruction.

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Dr. LaTesa Hughes exemplifies a dedicated and compassionate individual who combines her skills in veterinary medicine with her passion for education and language, making a positive impact in Ethiopia by providing much-needed English language training and educational opportunities to underserved communities.

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