There is very little as powerful as someone’s story. Through our connections with Africans in Ethiopia and the United States, stories have emerged that have not only touched our lives, but have also caused us to reflect, be inspired, connect, and grow. We wanted to share some of these stories in the hope that they do the same for you.
Genzeb Tibeb is very bright. At only 11 years old, her future is looking promising. She is ranked 2nd out of 56 students at her government school in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia where she has been selected for a special program because of her talent. She knows she is special and proudly shows off her certificate and book signifying her accomplishments in this special program.
But her future hasn’t always looked so bright. While her mother, Bekelech, sacrificed immensely for Genzeb, she would not have been able to continue sending her to school. When her husband died, Bekelech was the sole provider for their five children. In order for them to survive, she began the daily routine of walking approximately 8-10 miles a day collecting sticks to sell near her 8′ x 10′ home in Kichene. It wouldn’t have been long before Genzeb would have been forced to quit school in order to help her mom. But Bright Future changed all that.
Genzeb has been at Bright Future for 3 years. Since Ethiopian schools let out early, Genzeb walks to the facility right after lunch. Because of her high ability, she even helps teach the younger children there, building confidence and locking in important foundational academic skills. There’s also other meaningful opportunities Genzeb experiences which allow her eyes to be opened to the different opportunities that are available to her if she completes her studies. Field trips are one of her most favorite activities of all. She especially loved the one to Addis Ababa University.
She knows it goes beyond fun trips, though. ”I am happy because I get extra help for school from Bright Future,” Genzeb shares. At so many levels, her involvement with Bright Future allows her to receive a better education, which she values. For one day she wants to help people in need by becoming a doctor. And now she knows, that with a lot of hard work, that dream might just become a reality.
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At first, *Melat didn’t know what was causing her sickness. But she had other things to worry about. She was living on the street with her young daughter, too weak to make a living and without much hope. When she learned that she was HIV+, Melat made the excruciating decision to put her beautiful girl, her life, into an orphanage. Things could have ended here for Melat if Bright Future had not learned of her situation. Acting quickly, Bright Future acquired the necessary antiretroviral meds for Melat to gain strength and vitality. By taking these drugs faithfully, she will be able to live life without the fear of dying of AIDS. Bright Future didn’t stop here. Next, they built her a house (for a few hundred American dollars!) complete with its very own kitchen—a luxury in Ethiopia. Not only was this meaningful so that Melat and her daughter wouldn’t be separated or have to go somewhere else to prepare meals, it allowed Melat to create a business making injera (Ethiopian bread) to sell to the people of her village.
With her health stabilized and a sustainable way to provide, Melat went to the orphanage and brought her precious daughter back home. Now, the two of them live together, with mom more aware than ever of just how close she came to permanent tragedy. Where before there was just darkness and despair, now there is reason for celebration and thanksgiving and hope. Because of the way God is using Bright Future, two more lives are forever changed.
*Name has been changed
