Asegedech Asfaw, 90, spent almost half of her life taking care of destitute and elderly people. Residing in Dire Dawa City, she has always been keen on supporting people since her childhood. Even after she started her own family, she continued supporting them to the point where she allowed them to live under her roof.
After her spouse passed away, her children got old enough and moved out of their parent’s house, Asegedech totally gave herself to charity works.
In the course of time, the charity work that started at her house grew into a big one and gave birth to ‘Asegedech Elderly Care and Rehab Center.’ The center has survived for about 30 years not only with her strong commitment but also with the support of individual volunteers and Dire Dawa City Administration.
Currently, the center is providing 70 elderly people residing within the center with food, shelter; health and hygiene services, while 30 more seniors get services including those staying in their house in a permanent manner.
As age is something we can’t fight back, Asegedech, who has dedicated her life in supporting elderly people for three decades, has now become one of the people residing in the center for the reason her energy exhausted and she got tired. Fortunately, her legacy did not go in vain as her daughter who used to lead a luxurious life in Canada has followed her mother’s footsteps.
It has been four years since Emebet Mekonnen, the third daughter of Asegedech, gave up her comfortable life in Canada and moved into her home country, continuing her mother’s legacy.
“One of my sisters used to give a hand for our mother after she got pensioned in Canada. Thinking that it would only be fair to let her rest for a while and do my share; I took leave for four months to come to Ethiopia. I never returned, I believe it was God’s plan,” Emebet underscored.
She said that the center is supported by generous people who organized various ceremonies such as weddings, remembrance, graduations, among others, at the center. Several companies including public institutions occasionally feed the elderly.
According to Emebet, 35 years have already elapsed since her mother, Asegedech, established the charity center. At first neighbors were not happy when her mother began sheltering a number of elderly people in her house. It is due to their complaint that she was able to receive a new place, which is serving the people now.
Asegedech has planted orange, lemon, mango, including different vegetables and coffee trees in the premises of her new area. The site also has its own animal husbandry and a clinic.
Currently, people with incredible life backgrounds, those who were once in higher positions as well as those who used to own restaurants are sheltering in the center, she said.
Mekedes Tadesse, who accidentally met with Asegedech when she was picking up a destitute elderly woman from a street called Del Chora, Dire Dawa, has known Asegedech for over 30 years. On that day, they took the elderly woman to the hospital together, and since then, they have become close friends and still are.
Ever since that day, 20 years ago, Mekedes has remained the right hand for Asegedech who she referred her as ‘mother’. She never get tired of admiring the strength of Asegedech especially during holidays where more preparations are taken to make the people at the center feel at home and allow them to celebrate the day freely.
She recalled: “One day, Asegedech was not feeling well and I was the one who was in charge of the center. Accidentally, we ran out of Teff. I was very terrified and did not know what to do. Deciding to let her know, I went to Asegedech’s room and said, ‘we are in trouble there is only little teff left at the center.’ It was her response that startled but at the same time taught me a great lesson.”
Asegedech was not frustrated. Rather, she told her not to worry saying that it is not their concern. “It is the almighty God that is feeding the people not us.” Even she warned her not to ever say or worry again about such things.
“Surprisingly, the minute I left her room, I heard that there was a car outside the compound. I went out to check who it was. There was a car loaded with teff, it was sent from one of our volunteers. The people of Dire Dawa are very generous. They visit the elderly every weekend and help them with showers and everything,” she said.
Emama Atsede, who is one of the elderly in the center, used to have a family in Dire Dawa. Atsede adopted one of her nieces after her husband passed away. After the girl completed her education and got married, Emama Astede bequeathed the house for her and started living with the newlyweds.
Unfortunately, the girl took no time before she decided to throw out the woman who brought her up like her real daughter. After long court processes, she took the house and left her mother on the street. That was how Atsede came to the center with the support of people.
“Life in the center is relieving. I am living a wonderful life; both Asegedech and her daughter Emebet take good care of us like a good family. They have done everything I needed including meeting my religious needs.”
Emebet aspires to see the center expanded and giving services for more elderly people who are leading miserable lives. She wishes to see the completion of the four stairs building which the construction activity was interrupted 15 years ago due to financial constraint. Thus, she urged governmental and non-governmental organizations to contribute their share for the completion of the building.
Asegedech Asfaw has received Honorary Doctorate Degree from Dire Dawa University for the remarkable work she has achieved at the center. Enat Bank has also renamed one of its branch banks after her name.
BY BETELHEM BEDLU
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD THURSDAY 30 MAY 2024
