It is with great pleasure and honour to inform you all that our very own Zenebu will be receiving an honorary doctorate for all the work that she has done to improve lives of refugees in Huddersfield.
Zenebu Hailu Dubale is a refugee from Ethiopia who has made Huddersfield her home. Since 2010, she has been a Trustee and the Chairperson for the Ethiopian Orthodox Church in the UK. This national role has included the trustees purchasing a church in Huddersfield which will be used for community worship and wider community activities for people from across the UK.
Zenebu has made a distinctive and outstanding difference to the lives of refugees in the town. Dedicated to building on the benefits that migration brings to the area, she actively creates opportunities to ensure that Huddersfield continues to be a welcoming community.
Most recently, Zenebu has been part of the rapid response to the war in Ukraine, supporting women and child refugees following their arrival in Kirklees. She was recruited as a local leader as part of the ‘Every Vaccination Matters’ programme to combat COVID-19. She helped with information to dispel fears and delivered culturally sensitive workshops for which she received a Community Champion award.
Zenebu has worked in Huddersfield town centre as a mental health and wellbeing worker for WomenCentre Kirklees, offering peer support for women seeking asylum, refugees and new migrants. She plays a substantial role in helping transform women’s lives and outcomes for their families.
For those that have not met Zenebu , Zenebu runs two groups in Kirklees WomenCentre. Zenebu runs a WomenTogether project which grew out of her work, supporting women around FGM and also runs the Women In Exile group alongside Nikta and volunteers for migrant women.
I know that you will all take so much pride in congratulating Zenebu on this massive achievement- Well done Zenebu and we are so proud of you!
We will be celebrating in July with an ‘Evening with Zenebu’ so please look out for the invite!
