Leeza, (Fregenet Woubshet), a 29-year-old American citizen of Ethiopian origin, died in an auto accident in the summer of 2003. She had just completed her education in accounting, and was about to embark on the work she saw for herself ahead: the support of her family in Ethiopia and, in the longer term, the assistance of the children of Ethiopia. She envisioned a day when she would open a school for needy children there.

Friends and family were determined that her dream would not die with her. The Tesfa Foundation was established to carry out her work. In October, 2004, the first Tesfa school opened in Addis Ababa. It was named 'Tsegereda' , which was her childhood nickname: Rose.