About Alegnta Edir

Alegnta - The History of the Formation of the Edir (Mutual Aid Society) in Chicago and Surrounding Areas

The Ethiopian Community Association in Chicago made extensive efforts for a long time to establish a mutual aid society (edir) for Ethiopians during times of hardship. Finally, the community board assigned Mr. Wendwesen Yimer to gather the Ethiopian community in Chicago and organize the edir under his leadership. On this occasion, the edir members always thank the Ethiopian Community Association in Chicago for the initiative it took. The founding members prepared the bylaws, and on August 2, 2015, the edir was established with 36 founding members in the community building located at 1730 W Greenleaf Ave as a non-profit organization under Illinois state law. The founding edir members made active contributions to prepare the bylaws. Among these, Mr. Alem Taye served as legal advisor, and veteran edir members Mr. Ashagre Belay, Mr. Asefa Eshete, Mr. Kokobe Asres, Dr. Erku Yimer, Mrs. Enatenesh Reta, and other founding edir members played crucial roles in refining the details and providing encouragement. Mr. Ashagre came up with the appropriate name "Alegnta" for our edir, and indeed, we have been able to establish an edir that has now become Alegnta for hundreds of people. For this, the edir extends special thanks to the founding members.

Alegnta was established, as its bylaws indicate, to fulfill the following objectives:

1. To provide financial assistance according to the regulations for funeral ceremonies or body transportation when an edir member or a registered family member under them passes away.
2. To notify and coordinate edir members to attend mourning and memorial services when an edir member or a registered family member under them passes away.
3. To help the deceased's family by gathering necessary information for funeral arrangements or body transportation.
4. To add any objective that the edir believes will benefit its members in the future, as needed, after it has been studied and approved by the members.

The first elected leadership of the edir are as follows:

1. Mr. Wendwesen Yimer - Chairman
2. Mrs. Marta Tedla - Vice Chairman
3. Mrs. Roman Tesfaye - Treasurer
4. Mr. Yidnekachew Hibru - Secretary
5. Mr. Yitagsu Amanuel - Accountant
6. Mr. Yemane Tadese - Public Relations Officer
7. Dr. Adane Gebeyaw - Technical Department Head

The first leadership accomplished crucial foundational work for the edir. Among these were obtaining legal recognition for the organization from the state, opening a bank account for the edir, revising t he bylaws, preparing various forms, and preparing identification booklets, to name a few. Mr. Zewde Bedada, who was the lead coordinator in all matters, published the edir's identification booklet for us. Among the first edir leadership, the special contributions made by Mrs. Marta Tedla and Mrs. Roman Tesfaye, who tirelessly traveled back and forth from as far as Kenosha, Wisconsin, which is quite distant from Chicago, will never be forgotten by the edir members. The first leadership, through great effort and sometimes by going door-to-door to Ethiopian homes and explaining about the edir, brought the membership to 136, elected and handed over to the leadership led by Mr. Mulugeta Ayele, completing their term of service. The subsequent leaderships, through their relentless efforts and mobilization, have now enabled the edir to have over 420 members after 10 years. The edir has reached many of our people during their times of grief. It has truly become Alegnta.

What is an Edir?

An Edir is a traditional Ethiopian social institution that serves as a community-based mutual aid society. It provides financial and emotional support to members during difficult times, particularly during bereavement and funeral arrangements. Edir represents the spirit of community solidarity and collective responsibility that is central to Ethiopian culture.

Committee Members

2024 Committee

2022 Committee

2020 Committee

2018 Committee