BY ELIZABETH MENGISTU
“The unselfish effort to bring cheer to others will be the beginning of a happier life for us,” goes the adage. Her selfless act of supporting others had started accidentally at the time she met with a woman who was suffering from mental illness.
Then, she sent her people to the place where the said woman was sheltering, let her live in her house, took care of her health and wellbeing, supported her to be treated and get better. And the voluntary act that was started with extending a helping hand to a mentally ill mother by welcoming at her own private house, created an opportunity to secure more lives, mainly those people with mental disorders and living on the streets due to their illnesses. The initiation has enabled over 374 people who were on the streets and struggling with mental illnesses to regain their full health and reintegrated into society.
She did not end there, but she continued her charitable works in an organized manner and opened an institution named, ‘Born Again Mental Health Rehabilitation Center.’ Born Again Mental Health Rehabilitation Center gained its legal entity on July 25, 2016. “No one stays on the street because of mental illness” is the motto of Born Again Mental Health Rehabilitation Center. “At the time I met her on the street, she was in a very bad state and in a miserable situation. I welcomed her in my house, took her to mental health care institutions and did what I had to do”, said Kiya Sibehat, founder of Born Again Mental Health Rehabilitation Center.
However, though Kiya exerted utmost, the woman could not recover easily. She took her to religious institutions for praying, alongside with the medical treatment. As to her, the first two months were the most challenging times for all. Kiya did not lose hope. Finally, after a year the women totally recovered from her illness and remembered her previous status- her place of living, children and the like matters. Currently, she is serving in Addis Alem Mulu Wongel, in Addis Alem. The success invites Kiya to work more and support additional people who are left in the streets. At present, with the support and care services from St. Amanuel Mental Specialized Hospital and Eka Kotebe General Hospital as well as with the mercy of the Creator, forty-nine men, thirty-three women and twenty-three children are receiving support, love and care, in conjunction with the necessary treatments at the rehabilitation center, she added.
“Mental illness needs more care, love, and companionship than anything else. What I have done is that. I will give them my time with love. And in response, when I saw them getting well, their improvements filled my heart with joy,” Kiya remarked. However, when the number of people who want her support and care increases, and her private house cannot accommodate all, she is forced to rent a house. Luckily, taking into consideration the multilayered socioeconomic benefits of her work, Lemi Kura Sub City Administration granted her 5000m2 land for the construction of the rehabilitation center. She is thankful for the support the Sub City has rendered. Recently, Health State Minister Ayele Teshome (MD) paid a visit to the center and witnessed the activities carried out in the rehabilitation center. Following the visit, the State Minister Ayele said that the act of compassion that started at her own house has helped hundreds of mentally ill people recover and return to their normal lives.
During his visit, Dr. Ayele also expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Kiya for her selfless acts and commitment in giving her full time for mental patients and; administrators of Lemi Kura Sub City for providing land to construct the center on behalf of his Ministry. “The center will have a significant contribution in terms of supporting and rehabilitating patients,” he remarked. He also promised to stand by her side in the preparation process of the center’s design as well as similar activities undertaken in the future. He also said that he will facilitate medical services for those patients recovering at the center, twinning with Eka Kotebe Psychiatric Center.
In an interview she conducted once with a local media, Kiya said that, helping the needy does not need special qualifications or affluence; but a kind heart, willingness, and commitment. Giving and spending time with them; showing compassion and providing care services with a sense of family are equally important things that create belongingness; and warmth the hearts of the disadvantaged ones . Thus, anyone with a caring heart and mind can contribute a lot in improving the lives of destitute people at any possible means. As to her, the burden of the center is shared by various volunteers. There are several individuals who are generous enough to provide support including mattresses, bed sheets, food, clothes and similar items. “I have had a trend of lifting up from the street and supporting mentally ill people even before entering into marriage. I will talk to them freely, lending a helping hand and care, said Afework Tilahun, husband of Kiya.
Tadele Biru is one of the people serving in the center. As to him, along with his colleagues in the center, he brings mentally ill fellowmen from the streets to the center, those who have no one to support them to the center. Mental sickness is a severe challenge. However, the community should understand the situation and support individual patients, as to him. Born Again Mental Health Rehabilitation is a non-religious, non-profit making indigenous/local humanitarian charity organization working to support mentally ill citizens living on the streets.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 12 MAY 2023
