FAQs
What is Fun with Fidel?
1
Fun with Fidel is an interactive learning app that teaches children the Ge'ez script (Fidel), the writing system used for Amharic, Tigrinya, and other Ethiopian and Eritrean languages. The app uses playful, game-based lessons designed for kids ages 3 and up, making it easy and fun to recognize, trace, and learn each character in the Fidel alphabet.
Who is Fun with Fidel for?
2
Fun with Fidel is built for children in the Ethiopian and Eritrean diaspora whose families want them to learn their heritage script. It's also a great fit for any child or beginner interested in learning the Ge'ez alphabet, whether at home, in a weekend school, or as part of a homeschool language program. Parents, caregivers, and educators can all use it as an interactive learning companion.
What makes Fun with Fidel different from other Amharic learning apps?
3
Most Amharic apps focus on phrasebooks or vocabulary for adult learners. Fun with Fidel is purpose-built for children learning the Fidel writing system from the ground up. Every interaction is designed around how kids actually learn: through play, repetition, visual patterns, and positive reinforcement. The app centers the Ge'ez script as a living cultural system, not a translation exercise.
Is Fun with Fidel safe for kids?
4
5
6
7
8
9
Yes. Fun with Fidel is designed with child safety as a priority. The app complies with COPPA (Children's Online Privacy Protection Act) standards, meaning it does not collect personal data from children, does not contain ads, and does not include in-app purchases that target young users. Parents can feel confident letting their kids explore and learn independently.
What ages is Fun with Fidel designed for?
Is Fun with Fidel available on iPhone and Android?
The app is designed for children ages 3 to 10, though older beginners and adults learning Fidel for the first time also find it useful. Younger children benefit from the tracing and visual recognition features, while older learners can move through the character sets at their own pace.
Fun with Fidel is available for download on the Apple App Store and Google Play. [Update links once live.] The app works on both phones and tablets, and a tablet provides the best experience for younger children practicing letter tracing.
No prior knowledge is needed. Fun with Fidel starts from the very beginning of the Fidel alphabet and introduces each character step by step. The app is built for true beginners, including children who may hear Amharic at home but have never learned to read or write in the script.
Absolutely. Educators running community language programs, weekend schools, or homeschool curricula can use Fun with Fidel as a structured learning tool. The app's progressive design works well alongside group instruction, giving each child a way to practice independently between classes.
The Ge'ez script, commonly called Fidel, is one of the oldest writing systems still in active use. It originated in the Horn of Africa and is used today to write Amharic (the official language of Ethiopia), Tigrinya (spoken in Eritrea and northern Ethiopia), and several other regional languages. Unlike the Latin alphabet, Fidel is a syllabary: each character represents a consonant-vowel combination, resulting in over 200 unique characters. Fun with Fidel makes learning this rich system accessible and enjoyable for young learners.