BY TEWODROS KASSA
In this era of technology, our world needs more cooperation and humanity. Thinking the disadvantaged and supporting the needy helps our world prosper together and reap the fruit of voluntarism. Everyone agrees on the value of voluntarism; and its personal and mental satisfaction is the leading motive behind engaging widely in voluntarism activities.
The other way round, the act of volunteers aside from lessening the socioeconomic burden of those targeted groups, it will aware them as there are some individuals who care about them; and in turn, creates sense of belongingness within them.
In Ethiopia, there are numerous individuals who are known for their unreserved support and commitment to reaching and assisting the underprivileged sections of society with the purpose of improving their lives.
For instance, Biniam Belete, Founder of ‘Mekedonia Charity Association’, an association striving focusing on improving the lives of the people-elderly, mentally disabled, physical impaired, HIV and cancer patients and bed ridden people among others, is a prominent Ethiopian known for helping thousands of Ethiopians to brighten their life. Many more Ethiopians are also voluntarily serving their people in various ways.
Regarding this, Gezahegn Wordofa (Dr.) is the other philanthropist Ethiopian who is known for his successive contributions not only at home; but also abroad through promoting strong societal cohesion and active participation in various national affairs. His life journey could be a great lesson for others who dreams to leave a better legacy in life that worth better recognition.
Gezahegn was born and raised in the rural part of the country in Wolenchiti Town, Oromia State. During his stay with The Ethiopian Press Agency (EPA) Gezahegn said that he has paid sacrifice to reach his current position. Life was not smooth to succeed in his educational journey and needed to work hard to fulfill his ambition. Understanding this fact; at his young age, he was helping his family engaging in various businesses. All at once, targeting to be a medical doctor, he did his best untiringly to realize his childhood dream. At that time, because there was no secondary school in his vicinity, he had to travel barefooted for four hours every day to attend his education.
Luckily, he succeeded in his education very well and he completed 12th grade in the countryside. After finishing high school, Gezahegn got a chance to pursue his education abroad. In the country where he went to study, he engaged in various jobs concurrent to his education and was able to gain different work skills that would lead him to a successful level.
He is so enthusiastic to help his motherland and support the country though designing and working on various projects sought to ease the lives of the society who taught him without being educated. He supports health and education facilities in his hometown- Wolenchiti. He financed the construction of a state of the art public library in Oda Nebi School found in his hometown. Currently, the library is providing service to more than 5,000 residents.
He believed that learning and acquiring a better knowledge and wealth abroad is not enough in life. Rather thinking and sharing others is an outstanding satisfaction that proves the meaning of genuine life. “It is a great success to me while I witness my contribution is preventing others from going through the difficult path that I have gone through,” he said.
He was also one of the guests who came to their hometown responding to the invitation- ‘The Great Ethiopians Homecoming Challenge’- made by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) targeting to bring one million Diaspora home during the past Ethiopian Genna (Christmas) and Timket (Epiphany) celebrations.
Moreover, he supports the Ethiopian community members in Canada to be active participant throughout Ethiopia’s socio-economic progress. Based on his expertise in international social services, such as housing for the homeless, he also supported to resettle new comers and refugees in Canada which has given him a wide recognition from various entities.
Gezahagn has won Caring Canadian Award from Governor General of Canada (2014), International Peace Ambassador from World Diplomatic Association (2015), Volunteer Award from Province of Ontario (2015), Bikila Award–Community Service Excellence from the Ethiopian Expat Community in Canada (2016), Sovereign Medal for Volunteers from Governor General of Canada (2017), Listowel North Perth Chamber of Commerce – Excellence in Non-profit Newcomer Award (2020), among others.
Currently, he is working as an international consultant for the United Nations (UN) and Founder and president of the Multicultural Association of Perth-Huron. He is also a Municipal election candidate for the Stratford municipal election 2022 in Canada. He is competing as Geza Wordofa for councilor candidate for Stratford city council.
Various Ethiopian community members and others wish success in his new journey. He is a prominent Ethiopian born Canadian running for the council with various humanitarian achievements. Winning the election will help him to expand his generous activities at home and abroad.
In sum, in order to contribute to the poor health services in the country and share the problems of the low income community, he has turned his attention to undertake various health centers and hospital investment in his hometown. The hospital is established solely to serve the society sincerely without focusing on profit.
Currently, he has allocated up to 300 million Birr capital for the construction of the hospital in his hometown and already settled a 28,000 square meter to commence the construction process. During completion, hospital is will have a health college, a ward for special treatment of mothers and children, drug store, bank, supermarket, among others.
The Ethiopian Herald October 29/2022
