Commentaries | Jul 20,2024
Aug 19 , 2023
By Eden Sahle
A while ago, I had a chance to visit the house of a close acquaintance who had recently moved back from the United States.
It was a massive three-storey mansion that seemed too big for her and two children.
Little did I know it occupied several vulnerable women who found safe haven under the roof.
As a victim of abandonment by her parents, my friend saw firsthand the pain of poverty and vowed to help others that were struggling.
She was raised by her grandmother, who taught her the value of hard work and compassion. The fire of her childhood pain was stoked into a flame of benevolence.
Most of the women survived violence at the hands of a loved one. Before they joined the big family, they were on the streets of Addis Abeba fleeing from across the country, looking for ways to survive.
Meanwhile, they found a place to stay and work at the same time. The children consider them as aunts; their bond was effortless.
The women do not have much to do in the house as there are many, but they get paid an equal amount.
They enjoy doing the house chores and cook mouthwatering snacks. In the few hours that I visited, they taught me how to make healthy cupcakes using teff flour which was creative.
Through acts of kindness and understanding, we can bridge the gaps that divide us and create a sense of unity among diverse communities.
Small gestures can truly make a difference in the lives of others and foster a compassionate society.
The women saw her as a loving sister whom they could turn to for life advice.
She was a beacon of hope helping them to thrive and dream of a promising future.
Even when they make mistakes.
A year ago, one of the women got into a relationship with a man she met on social media despite warnings of scammers online.
She trusted the man who promised to marry her but vanished after she invited him to meet the family following a pregnancy.
The betrayal left the woman heartbroken. She was devastated and contemplated getting an abortion, but my friend promised to help her raise the child.
She took the woman to all her doctor's appointments and provided her with needed support.
Her excitement for the new baby knew no bounds. She prepared a bright corner room for the mother and gave her fully paid six months of maternity leave to nurse her child and recover.
I was left in awe of hearing their testimony about my friend. It was a reminder that we can brighten someone's life with generosity while being a role model to children.
Overcoming poverty and abandonment can be a difficult and challenging experience, but it can also give us a sense of strength and resilience.
This desire to pay kindness to those struggling is a powerful force for good and can help create a more compassionate and caring society.
By acknowledging the struggles of others and offering a helping hand, we break down the barriers of indifference and create a ripple effect of positive change.
When we choose to extend empathy and support, we not only uplift the spirits of those in need but also inspire others to follow suit.
PUBLISHED ON
Aug 19,2023 [ VOL
24 , NO
1216]
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