The Asra Hawariat School began when Asfaw Yimeru, on a scholarship to the elite General Wingate School, began to bring the leftovers from the school meals to the children begging at the gate. After his own lessons he took small classes under a tree in an adjoining churchyard. Finally, he dropped out of the General Wingate School, passing up his chance of a university place, to devote his life to the poor of the city.

"All problems can be solved providing one has tremendous courage, interest and belief in what one thinks. This I have with the blessing of God. Therefore why should I not serve my fellow men humbly and help them meet their needs?"

A quotation from Asfaw's diary of August 1972