BY ELIZABETH MENGISTU
The moment I started watching a documentary film that was displayed by the Center to show the before and after status of the people and the extent of their past pains to the management team and employees of The Ethiopian Press Agency, my mind was interwoven with a multiple of lines of thought. I was wondering about the big hearted man who has given of himself unselfishly and shouldered the burden of others; sacrificing his own personal life.
Without exaggeration, the compound is a miniature version of the biggest Ethiopia and a reflection of its people. Regardless of any differences, people who came from different parts of the country with a variety of backgrounds – age, ethnicity, gender, religion, place of birth, socioeconomic status, education level, physical appearance (able bodied and disabled) – have sheltered under the same roof seeking to get support from the Center for the reason fate has turned its back on them. Those who were once rich, dearly respected experts and heroes, businesspeople who had been leading adventurous lives, the miserable one, the weak and the isolated have made the Center their sanctuary; they can be treated well and protected from any harm.
Among others, a young man who was once a welder, but later lost his two arms and a leg due to electric shock, an elderly street man badly injured by hyena’s bite while he was sleeping, a man lived on the streets for many years and suffering from mental illness, a trader who faced severe accident and ended up on the streets after finishing all his money for treatment sheltered in the Center, Truly speaking, in this selfish world where most of us could not see beyond our personal interests; and make every effort to fulfill our own wishes, being considerate to others, paying the necessary price and beam ray of hope on those who are seeking our generosity is indeed a blessing. Unless it is a call from the Creator to fulfill some type of mission; who can dare to carry the cross of other people and exert energy day in day out to lessen their load with sustained dedication and enthusiasm?
“Biniyam is my son, my father, my brother and my family. In the darkest moments of my life while no one else was around me, he saved my life lifting me from the dust,” a testimony offered by a person awoke me from the myriad of thoughts I was taken up with. “I did not have any idea about the Mekedonia Home for the Elderly and Mentally Disabled Center and Beniyam Belete, the founder of the Center until I heard him giving an interview to local media” continued Awasa Ajelo who received the necessary support, and treatment from the Center.
“I was bedridden for three years for the reason both of my kidneys failed as a consequence of falling off the motorbike. However, Biniyam, by sending his people to my place where I was living and bringing me to the Center, he saved my life. In time I almost gave up and lost my hope, it is him who makes me live again. If it were not for him, I would not be here today.”
As Awasa stated, he was living around Arba-Minch Town, 640kms far away from Addis Ababa. He was also serving at the town’s water bureau. However, on one of the unfortunate days while he was riding to the remote area for an assignment, he fell off his bike and got injured badly. During the time even if he went to the nearby medical facilities and received treatments, he could not get relief from his illness. Worst of all, his health deteriorated from day to day.
Let alone returning to his job, getting out of his bed became impossible. It was at this time he heard about Mekedonia Awasa had spent three and a half solid years with that situation. He was also advised by a team of the medical board to go abroad and conduct a kidney transplantation. However, miraculously, after he was taken to different hospitals and received the necessary treatments and care, he started recovering from his illness. Currently, Awasa has fully recovered from his illness.
He did not end there, following the advice he received from Biniyam and his companion to pursue his education, he obtained his first and second degree in Accounting and Finance. Presently, he is serving as Trade Regulation and Inspection Director at Trade and Industry Office of Arba Minch Town Administration. Awasa is thankful for all of Mekedonia’s community who helped him while he was in the blues. He is always indebted for their kindness, understanding, affection and forbearance.
“Many people, who can recover from their ailments and can contribute a lot, passed away for lacking little support and help from others. I am lucky to have Biniyam and his fellow men in my life. Without their help, I wouldn›t have reached this particular state,” he added. He also urged all Ethiopians to help the unfortunate ones in every possible way.
Mulugeta Tesfaye, is the other beneficiary of the Center. Hewas engaged in selling clothes in Metema Town. However, in an accident on a horse pulling carriage, he got injured on his back. Horrendously, he faced additional challenges that led him to skin infection and serious health problems. When the treatment in his place failed to have a significant effect, he came to Addis Ababa for further medication. However he ended up living on the streets for the reason he ran out of money. As luck would have it, after he came to the Center by friends of Mekedonia, and received the needed support and care from healthcare providers, the wounds healed within a few days.
Now, he is in good health. “I was serving as a welder in one of the welding houses herein Addis Ababa. However, on one of the odd days while I was on duty along with my friend, an electrical shock occurred and caused severe injuries on my arms and leg. Sadly enough, the accident snatched my friend’s life and left me with permanent disability. Two of my arms and leg amputated,” said Yismaw Jemberu.
Yismaw was born and raised in Gondar, AmharaState. As he stated, the accident ensued when he was trying to put up a billboard on the building. Even though he survived, the injury was too severe. Thus, amputating his arms and leg was a must.
After he went through treatments for three consecutive months at Yekatit 12 Hospital, he came to Mekodonia by volunteers. At present, Yismaw is moving from place to place supported by artificial body parts. Engineer Berhanu Guta, was born and raised in an area customarily known as ‘Ferensay’, Addis Ababa. He pursued his education in Addis Ababa, and furthered it in Cuba and East Germany and graduated in Cybernetics Mathematics and Engineering respectively. He also served at Timbaho Monopol (Tobacco Monopoly), Black Lion Hospital, Agriculture Research for over 28 years at various levels and responsibility. However, following his wife’s death, who was pregnant but died due to delivery/labor related complications, he lost his mind and made his life on the street. Because he couldn›t accept her death, he went out of his mind.
As it is learnt from his story, he remained for three years on the street. “After I came to the Center, I have received several treatments and care from Mekedonia’s community. Now, I have recovered from my illness and am serving the Center as a Tele Operator,” said Engineer Berhanu.
Currently, Mekedonia, Home for the Elderly and Mentally Disabled Center shelters several people. As the founder of the Center Biniyam Belete stated, the Center spends more than one million Birr per day to perform its daily activities. Mentioning that the income is collected from generous, compassionate people who are willing to help people in great need, he added.
“Being a human is quite enough to support a human,” is Biniyam’s firmly embedded principle. This maxim has also won the hearts and minds of millions of people and is driving them to help and serve in every possible way. However, the ever increasing number of people supported by the Center, the severity of the situation, its daily cost among others is calling for more help and support.
Obviously, it is not always necessary to be rich to support others as making cash donations is not the only way that makes a difference. Equally, there are a number of ways that do not demand money; but can create some value inside them. Visiting, feeding and spending time with them also creates the feeling of belongingness and acceptance. Thus, apart from the financial support we are providing, serving in our own little ways – sacrificing our time, expertise and energy to those people who need our assistance is a must.
The Ethiopian Herald December 29/2022
