We’re extremely grateful to the nations who played trick to block funding to run the project
For it paved a way for every single Ethiopian to have a share and own it
Since the commencement till this moment – at this juncture
From the shoe shine to the billionaire
From the fruit seller to the importer
From the firewood collector to the company owner
Farmers, teachers, merchants, the jobless, drivers, defense forces, hopeful entrepreneurs,
All young and adults
Day and night think and dream of the project
Believing it would bring a major turning point
The feeling is quite concrete
As every heart beat
It has a rhythm and melody
With unforgettable memory
Flowing like a river
In unwavering manner
It is engrained in every one of us
Streaming in our veins
Strongly felt deep inside our bones
The dam is made of mouthfuls Willingly pledged from every dish
Multitudes sacrificed their dinner
To see the longest river bear power at home
Millions went to bed fasting to see GERD built
So many more left their breakfast to see the dam generate electric
It means a lot to children for it will make a novel path
That will take them through a different course
Children walked barefoot
Prioritizing the completion of the dam over their own comfort
It means a lot to mothers who carry loads of firewood
Day in and day out to get food cooked
Spending hours of productive time in the jungle
And becoming victims of huge burden
It means a lot to girls who travel a long distance
To fetch water on daily bases
It means a lot to factories failing to operate
As a result of power break
We need power to give power, to empower
Power to purify, pump and provide pure water
On spring and winter
Power to emancipate citizens in adversity
Those suffering day and night under the bitter yoke of poverty
Power, Power, Power More than ever
The Ethiopian Herald July 25/2020
El winner Merid
