BY ELIZABETH MENGISTU
Some people are called to light the darkness of others while the unkind are destined to cause pain to other people, dim the future of the unfortunate ones.
In fact, in this greedy world where everyone is focusing on his own lives and running to fulfill his/her own personal interest, finding self-sacrificing people who feel other people’s pain and dare to hold their hot potato to give them relief is so rare.
Among such good hearted people predestined to be the blessing for others to lessen the burden of others and illuminate their lives, Zubeida Awol, a Journalist at the Social Affairs Department of the Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporate (EBC) is the one.
Zubeida firmly believes that extending a helping hand and supporting others to stand by their own has its own rewards. Especially, giving due attention to mothers and children, helps the latter to realize their childhood dreams.
That is why she is always soft-hearted for mothers and children and has been striving by her own to support mothers so that children grow up with their own dreams.
Especially because she was brought up by her mother in a manner having equal opportunities within her family, she has a firm stance that if parents raise their kids by giving equal opportunities, will help them to have their own dream for the future.
“Most of the children have dreams of their own for the future. For that reason when they are asked about their future dreams and when they replied, they expressed their wish to be a physician, teacher, pilot, police and the like.
Zubeida, also a social media activist, ever since she reached her full age, has been working to support mothers to allow children to grow up with their own dreams.
Mainly, since she started working in the social affairs department of EBC as an editor, the challenges she observed in relation to mothers, compelled her to focus and exert energy to relieve the pain of the disadvantaged ones. As part of her commitment, she has been undertaking various activities since the last two years by sharing her experiences on social media Facebook as well as engaging in others.
Recently, aiming to institutionalize her voluntary works and expand the services, she founded a charity organization named “Mother Zubeida.”
“As parents, it is our responsibility to care and support our children in the dreams they have for their own futures,” she said.
In response, through her organization, many children and mothers are being supported to let the former have their own purpose and grow up on their own dreams. Consecutively, children are benefiting from the support given to mothers.
Yonas Abebe, a 10 years old boy and Asmeret Gashaw his mother (whose names are changed for the sake of their safety) are among the beneficiaries.
Asmeret is a mother of twins. Her children though are in their early ages; do understand the sufferings she is having at home. Being very sympathetic towards her, they, especially Yonas, always comfort her by making promises to do whatever they can to lessen her burden, make her happy and keep her safe.
“Growing so fast; pursuing our education, graduating and getting a job, we will improve your life. We will buy you a nice house.”
Especially, Yonas was a brave student. However, as fate had other plan, in unfortunate day, he was raped around American Gibe where they live. According to Asmeret, even though her son received treatments at the time, he was suffering not only physically; but also psychologically. As a result, he was forced to drop out of school then ended up living on the streets.
“I was looking for him untiringly. After lots of efforts, people told me that they saw him around Mexico Square. Though it was raining heavily, in the middle of the night, I was looking for him amongst the children sleeping on the street. Finally, I got him. He was shocked to see me in the dead of night and asked me why I wasn’t afraid of the dark. Luckily, with a sense of desperation, he agreed to return home after lots of pleas,” she said feeling sad.
As to her, when he refused to return home with her, she warned him as she intended to commit suicide if he did not get back, shedding tears. She did this not simply to persuade him, but because she felt his sufferings and pains.
Asmeret, before her son Yonas was sexually assaulted, was supporting her economy and raising her two children through selling tea. However, after her son raped, she started roaming from place to place in search of him, stopping her work. During this time, the kettle, tea glasses, and other materials that she used to make and sell tea were robbed.
Fortunately, at present, following the support she gained from Mother Zubeida Charity Organization, life has returned to normalcy. She received all the materials that she can make tea including kettle, thermos, as well as startup capital and is performing her activities accordingly.
In the same way, Yonas has started supporting himself through selling petty things for the reason he has not still recovered from his psychological trauma and hesitated to continue his education with this frame of mind.
Birtukan Kebede, (her name is also changed) is the other one who is supported by the organization. As she stated, in earlier times, she used to raise her three children by selling various items on the streets. However, for the reason it was unlawful to sell items on the streets and her properties were confiscated by law enforcement bodies, she bankrupted and quit her job. Worst of all, she started suffering from eye pain and her sight weakened.
“My child was more anxious about the sickness; and he was always praying for me,” she said.
It was at this time she met with Zubeida’s organization. Zubeida helped her to get her eye treated at Menelik II Referral Hospital and was cured of her illness, to be engaged in her previous works and generating income – to sell Ergendo shoes. Now, her son is happily attending his schooling.
While speaking about Birtukan’s son, Zubeida said that when the boy asked by his teacher what he can do to his parents when he grew up, he replied that he will take his mother to a clinic to get her eye treatment. She also met another boy who said that he will buy shoes for his mother.
However, as to her, the dreams of these school children should go far from buying shoes or supporting a mother to get healthcare services. They have to dream of being a pilot and flying around the world, buying a villa and becoming the leader of the country.
Most of the children are not good at their studies because of poverty. Even the result of those students, who were once brilliant, declines from time to time for the reason of hardship and deprivation.
Therefore, the purpose of her organization is to provide support to economically disadvantaged mothers so that they can generate income, put food on the table and their children detached from their daily problems and attend their education unworriedly.
“Single moms, who are raising their children alone, as well as mothers who have children with disabilities and forced to leave their jobs and stay at home with their children, benefit from the support given by the organization,” she explained.
Mothers who have difficulty in raising their children, especially those who have children with disabilities, suffer multiple injuries. Most of their children cannot move by themselves and need pampers support.
“Despite their children’s natural limitations, we aim to detach mothers from feeling anxiety through helping them generate their own income, become self-reliant economically and take care of their children. Ensuring that children grow up having their own dreams is also our determination,” she said.
According to Zubeida, 20 mothers, who are receiving support at the end of this year, are selected. Of which some are disabled ones.
These mothers will be given startup capital, so that they can improve their economy and raise their children better.
“These destitute children are the future of the country. And as they are the inheritors of tomorrow‘s Ethiopia, they should get the needed support and opportunities. We should stand by their side; discharge our societal responsibility so that they can improve their condition. I am striving to do that,” she reiterated.
She aspires that those less privileged children grow up with a feeling that their country raised them while showing that she has responsibility.
If we want to create a peaceful, comfortable and secure environment for our children, we have to support their peers. Children who are given equal opportunities will be responsible citizens and are keen to serve their community and country. On the other hand, those who were pushed away and marginalized can act otherwise. Therefore, since I am destined to help others, it is my goal to do what I can and improve the condition of those who are in need,” Zubeida remarked.
The Ethiopian Herald June 29/2023
