From the time his parents divorced and his father remarried, Yohannes Biruk has gone through a number of problems. As he had no one to comfort and help him, Yohannes has dropped out of school and had no place to go. He had lived for four months on the streets around a place known as ‘Yeka Abado’. He was suffering a lot from loneliness and stress; did spend several sleepless nights; begged for food and drink. He never forgets the times he felt hungry and slept poorly.
Yohannes, 14, is one of the five students who won the scholarship program that was initiated by The Office of the First Lady, and granted by the Nigerian Government to orphaned students who met the admission criteria of the Rochas Foundation College of Africa in Nigeria – outstanding students, aged between 12-14 years and entering 7th grade in this Ethiopian Academic year.
As he uttered, before joining Zewditu Meshesha Children and Family Charity’s Development Association, Yohannes encountered myriad of problems and suffered the most.
“I was spending most of my time by struggling to get my daily bread. Having my daily meals and a place to live was much severe for me. Thus I was weeping bitterly losing hopes.”
That is how the people from Ministry of Women, Children and Youth saw him and took him to the Charity Center. Ever since that time, his life has changed for the better. Loitering from street to street, begging for food and weeping bitterly was his past history. He met his new family- mother and father, sisters and brothers who adore and care for him in the Association.
Luckily,
following First Lady Zinash Tayachew’s visit to the Center and her
student-centered program, Yohannes has won a free education program arranged
for orphaned students residing in orphanage
centers, in the Rochas Foundation
College of Africa, Nigeria.
When he understood that he won the scholarship, Yohannes was extremely pleased as he never thought of having such a wonderful opportunity.
Yohannes aspires to be an architect. “The scholarship will pave a way for me to realize my childhood dream to a reality. I thank the First Lady and the Association’s community for their concern and relentless love they have shown for all of us.”
Tewabech Reta, 14, is the other best performing student and winner of the free education program granted by this same College.
Tewabech was given to her aunt at her early age. However, as her caretakers disowned her responsibilities and did not allow her to attend classes, she could not set foot in a school. Instead, she was obliged to care for the youngest child and carry out domestic works that are beyond her capacity.
“When I observed two of my age mates go to school, I was greatly longing for the same opportunity. Sadly, it never had happened until I joined the Ketchene Female Children Orphanage Center in 2011.”
As to her, entering to the Center has brought her a number of blessings. It has enabled her to start her childhood wishes and attend classes, study, play with her peers and lead a happy life.
Currently, thanks to the arrangements made by First Lady Zinash, and granted by College, she has finalized preparation to travel to Nigeria and pursue her education.
“I am fortunate enough to win the scholarship. There are many students who did not get such a chance,” she said joyfully and smiling broadly.”
The First Lady is too considerate and kind. She had invited orphaned students in her Office and paid frequent visit to centers. Such trend creates a sense of belongingness and a feeling of pride to the children. Most importantly, the scholarship will beam hope of ray for those orphaned and vulnerable students as it offers special opportunities regardless of their circumstances, she added.
Extending her gratitude to the Office, Tewabech also beseeches the Office and all stakeholders to assist orphanage centers and strengthen efforts in every possible ways to facilitate more scholarship opportunities for orphaned students.
Nefissa Habib, 13, also experienced the burden that Tewabech had undergone. Even if she came from Dembi Dollo, Oromia State to Addis Ababa following her aunt, things could not go as she expected. While she was residing in her aunt’s house, performing household chores and taking care of her cousin became her prime responsibilities. The worst, her aunt had beaten and punished her for unknown reasons. Then, she escaped and entered into Selam Children Village.
The other beneficiary of the scholarship opportunity granted by the College is Eyerus Alamerew. According to her, she came from her place of birth Bahir Dar to Addis Ababa along with her caregiver. However, tired of the perpetual sufferings she received from her caregiver, she ran away and joined the Ketchene Female Orphanage Center by the help of law enforcement forces.
Abel Solomon, 12, comes from Kolfe Orphans’ Center. He joined the Center at his early ages when his mother passed away and his father failed to take care of him. Like his peers, he is happy for winning the free education opportunity. He hopes that the scholarship will give him an opportunity to further his education and achieve his childhood dream of being a cardiologist.
The support and charity works the Office of the First Lady has been carried out is commendable. The scholarship offered to those children apart from brightening their future it would beam a ray of hope for other students sheltering in various orphanage centers, said Yayne Abeba Workie representative from Zewditu Meshesha Children and Family Charity’s Development Association.
The scholarship apart from brightening students’ future, it makes them feel as the government and the communities are behind them. It also motivates the Association. “We are grateful for the First Lady, her Office and the College for granting such opportunities to the Association.”
Aschalew Bezu, Family, Children Management and Care General Manager with Selam Children Village, on his part said that since her first term in office the First Lady has been executing various commendable activities.
“We believe that the program motivates these outstanding students to work hard, be ambassadors of their country and to contribute their share to a better Ethiopia. The Office has to do more in sustainable manner in this regard,” he opined.
According to information from The Office of The First Lady, the Scholarship program is one of the school- centered activities undertaken by the Office.
In earlier times the Rochas Foundation Collage of Africa has granted scholarship for 10 Ethiopian students. Following the success they have registered in the College and the initiation from the First Lady, the second round grant is given.
The students nominated with the standards set by the Rochas foundation collage of Africa.
Last Monday, First Lady Zinash has met the students in her Office and exchanged ideas.
The Ethiopian Herald October 2, 2019
BY STAFF REPORTER
