There is no gainsaying the fact that all and sundry under the sun struggle every so often with life challenges. Relentlessly, they make an effort to make their bread buttered, stand on their feet and make ends meet.
Along the same vein, though most people do not know what the future holds for them in-store, they fight until the end of time with a broad array of predicaments. Some of them do not lose hope until they go to meet their maker. They never, ever lose hope.
The main focus of this writer is not to lay stress on the fundamentals of poverty and the way out but to familiarize The Ethiopian Herald esteemed readers with a physically handicapped person.
Habtamu had passed through many difficulties to reach where he is now. He was born and raised in Illubabor Zone, Metu. When he came to the very world, it is possible to say that he was as healthy as a horse and happier than a pig in shit.
However, as time passed by, something unexpected came to happen-he experienced swelling in one foot which jumpstarted giving him a hard time. The incident was the most heartbreaking and shocking. Habtamu’s parents did not know what they had to do. As the whole world turned upside down, they cursed their luck.
Though Habtamu’s parents left no stone unturned to improve his health, all their efforts went for nothing. In due course, Habtamu ended up becoming a physically challenged person.
Unenthusiastically, in his place of birth, the attitudes of people towards the disabled people were low. They do not think that the latter can grow to be successful in life. Besides, they do not know the fact that there are no limits to things one can achieve in life.
Slowly but surely, Habtamu set in motion attending primary education in an uncomfortable school situation. He was not tired of passing through quite a lot of life challenges. After he had completed primary school, he kicked off looking for his hidden talent. He got himself involved in painting.
In the same manner, bringing into play a wide spectrum of effective painting techniques, Habtamu started painting business logos of a broad array of business centers. At that point, as quite a lot of people were happy with his talent, they jumpstarted showering him with a range of incentives. Gradually, his fame disseminated in his place of birth.
One fine day, Karl Menzen went to Metu to pay a visit to a humanitarian organization that was run under his close supervision. This time, Habtamu came within reach of him and whispered something in Karl Menzen’s ear saying, “I am a talented artist with a disability. I am excellent at painting. I would be grateful if you could allow me to make various types of posters for your organization.”
As Karl Menzen was attracted by the story of Habtamu and his determination, he gave him the green light at the stroke of a pen. As a result of this, Habtamu embarked on making posters of health stations, schools, offices, and billboards of the organization.
As Habtamu was not able to make good money out of the advertisement works, he could not be happy. After a long struggle with his thoughts, he reached into a decision to come to Addis Ababa and make more money which could help him improve the lives of his family. Then after, he did it and started living with his brothers’ families.
Over time, he began living in a rented house along with his children around Jemo. The school fees and rental costs were costing an arm and a leg. Much worse, finding a job was not as easy as pie.
At a loss what to do, Habtmu simply started brokering advertisements and coming up with various ideas which he could make his dream become a reality.
Someday, he headed straight to Kebele and said to concerned bodies, “As I have a talent for painting, I would like to get myself engaged in the profession. Unfortunately, I do not have printing machines and I am not able to materialize my dream.”
When he understood that there was a possibility of buying printing machines on loan, he applied to make his dream come true. Then, he borrowed some amount of money from Addis Capital and decided to buy five Germany printing machines with a total cost of 890,000 Birr. But he was expected to pay 133,000 Birr in advance.
As Habtamu did not have the required amount of money, he did not know what he had to do. Finally, he considered borrowing some amount of money from his relatives and made the necessary payments.
With time, Habtamu bought a paper cutting machine, paper piercing tool, and paper filling machine. Afterward, he hired employees and got himself fully engaged in the advertising business by printing T-shirt, caps, and other related aspects. Luckily, everything kept on heading in the right direction.
At some point, a certain organization gave him an urgent production order. Accordingly, by utilizing his maximum capacity, Habtamu completed his assignment successfully. However, as the payment was not made according to the promise, he fell in trouble.
At that specific juncture, he did not even have a penny with him to pay employees’ salaries, his children’s school fees, and the loan.
As time elapsed, he failed to pay a five-month house rent. In a flash, everything turned its back on him. As he did not believe in giving up hope, he went on hunting for a solution. However, after two-year court processes, he received the full payment and partook in repaying the loan and renewing his office.
Following his high-quality works, several governmental and non-governmental organizations made Habtamu their first choice. Progressively, he was able to win the attention of a lot of customers.
Habtamu said regarding the attitudes of people towards his capacity, “In the past when I told most people the fact that I was capable of doing advertising works, they did not place trust in me. I have failed repeatedly in life and that is why I am currently harvesting the fruit of success.”
“My Printing enterprise consists of fourteen employees. I would like to have a large place to work in the printing industry down the road. At this moment in time, I am dreaming of joining the packaging industry,” wrapped up.
The Ethiopian Herald October 9, 2019
BY ADDISALEM MULAT
