SPOTLIGHTING ORDINARY ACCOUNTS OF A GIRL IN ETHIOPIA EACH MONTH
July
Mahilet's Story*
Age: 12
Birthplace: Addis Ababa (capital city)
Currently living: Addis Ababa
Educational Level: Preschool
Mahilet is a grade 6 student who was living with her mom and dad. Her father worked as a daily laborer, but has a disability and is an alcoholic. Her mother tried many times to find work to support the family when dad couldn't work. Dad's drinking created many disruptions in the home. From belligerent behavior to lack of paychecks, his drinking caused mom to make the difficult decision to move abroad. Her reasoning: an overseas house servant position may generate enough income for her to send money home to support her family.
Mahilet's father continued to drink, now with Mahilet in tow with him at the bar late into the night. Taking care of their home and spending evenings out, there was never time for school during Mahlet's childhood. A neighbor became concerned for Mahlet's well-being and took her some food one day. Mahilet graciously thanked her neighbor and asked, "Can you please wash my body, like my mom used to?" The neighbor immediately grabbed soap and cloth, understanding that Mahilet was raped by her father.
Today: Mahilet attends school and lives with an organization for girls who have faced sexual abuse. Her father is in prison. Her mother's update is not known.
Mahilet's Story*
Age: 12
Birthplace: Addis Ababa (capital city)
Currently living: Addis Ababa
Educational Level: Preschool
Mahilet is a grade 6 student who was living with her mom and dad. Her father worked as a daily laborer, but has a disability and is an alcoholic. Her mother tried many times to find work to support the family when dad couldn't work. Dad's drinking created many disruptions in the home. From belligerent behavior to lack of paychecks, his drinking caused mom to make the difficult decision to move abroad. Her reasoning: an overseas house servant position may generate enough income for her to send money home to support her family.
Mahilet's father continued to drink, now with Mahilet in tow with him at the bar late into the night. Taking care of their home and spending evenings out, there was never time for school during Mahlet's childhood. A neighbor became concerned for Mahlet's well-being and took her some food one day. Mahilet graciously thanked her neighbor and asked, "Can you please wash my body, like my mom used to?" The neighbor immediately grabbed soap and cloth, understanding that Mahilet was raped by her father.
Today: Mahilet attends school and lives with an organization for girls who have faced sexual abuse. Her father is in prison. Her mother's update is not known.
June
Birhan’s Story*
Age: 15 years old
Birth Place: Rural Area
Currently Living: Addis Ababa
Educational Level: Preschool
Below is Birhan’s translated story:
Birhan is a 15-year old girl facing her future alone, with a preschool level education.
Birhan was lived with her father in one small room. Her mother was died when Birhan was came to this world (when she got birth because of living in a rural area of Ethiopia and no hospital around). After her mom died her father was took all the responsibility for his child, but after some years he became ill. So that after her father faces health problem, she was not go to school as her friends because of taking care of her father: feeding him and now having responsibility to pay house rent. Birhan did this by doing more than she can able to do (she is doing in some ones homes: washing cloths; making Enjera; cooking wat; and etc.) She passed many years by working for people around her home but she can't able to cover the medical expense for her father. One day when she returned back to her home her father was died. After some weeks, Birhan decide to move away from the area and came to Addis Ababa. What she faced is not good as she expected. First she start working as a house servant in Addis but she is not comfortable with how the family treats her. She moved away from this home and start working in another home.
Today: Birhan is not following her education as other children. She stopped her education at 5.
Birhan’s Story*
Age: 15 years old
Birth Place: Rural Area
Currently Living: Addis Ababa
Educational Level: Preschool
Below is Birhan’s translated story:
Birhan is a 15-year old girl facing her future alone, with a preschool level education.
Birhan was lived with her father in one small room. Her mother was died when Birhan was came to this world (when she got birth because of living in a rural area of Ethiopia and no hospital around). After her mom died her father was took all the responsibility for his child, but after some years he became ill. So that after her father faces health problem, she was not go to school as her friends because of taking care of her father: feeding him and now having responsibility to pay house rent. Birhan did this by doing more than she can able to do (she is doing in some ones homes: washing cloths; making Enjera; cooking wat; and etc.) She passed many years by working for people around her home but she can't able to cover the medical expense for her father. One day when she returned back to her home her father was died. After some weeks, Birhan decide to move away from the area and came to Addis Ababa. What she faced is not good as she expected. First she start working as a house servant in Addis but she is not comfortable with how the family treats her. She moved away from this home and start working in another home.
Today: Birhan is not following her education as other children. She stopped her education at 5.
May
Frehiwot's Story*
Age: 12 years old (Female)
Birth Place: Rural Area
Currently Living: A children's home
Educational Level: 1st grade
Frehiwot* is 12 years old. She lost both parents two years ago to AIDS-related illnesses. Her uncle, who resides in one of the larger cities, offered to take her in. Frehiwot's aunt abused her, both verbally and physically. She would continue to remind Frehiwot that her parents died of AIDS, noting how thankful she should be that she's allowed to stay in their house. The other children in the house did no chores, but played and participated in recreational activity. Frehiwot was assigned to: washing clothes, sweeping, mopping, washing plates and cooking for the family. There was no time to rest, do her studies or socialize and very often, she would miss school. She complained to her uncle, but nothing changed. Risking further abuse, Frehiow asked neighbors and other women in the community for help, but they said it was none of their business and they didn't want to provoke her aunt.
Things turned worse for Frehiwot when her aunt went away for a weekend, taking the other children with her. That weekend, her uncle came back from the bottle store late. He ordered Frehiwot to go clean his bedroom. While she was there he came in and locked the door. Frehiwot was afraid, as she suspected what was coming next. Her uncle forced her to have sex with him. He threatened her and said if she told anyone he would send her out of the house with nowhere to go.
Today: Frehiwot left to live on the street, where she remained until authorities intervened. She currently lives in a children's home.
Frehiwot's Story*
Age: 12 years old (Female)
Birth Place: Rural Area
Currently Living: A children's home
Educational Level: 1st grade
Frehiwot* is 12 years old. She lost both parents two years ago to AIDS-related illnesses. Her uncle, who resides in one of the larger cities, offered to take her in. Frehiwot's aunt abused her, both verbally and physically. She would continue to remind Frehiwot that her parents died of AIDS, noting how thankful she should be that she's allowed to stay in their house. The other children in the house did no chores, but played and participated in recreational activity. Frehiwot was assigned to: washing clothes, sweeping, mopping, washing plates and cooking for the family. There was no time to rest, do her studies or socialize and very often, she would miss school. She complained to her uncle, but nothing changed. Risking further abuse, Frehiow asked neighbors and other women in the community for help, but they said it was none of their business and they didn't want to provoke her aunt.
Things turned worse for Frehiwot when her aunt went away for a weekend, taking the other children with her. That weekend, her uncle came back from the bottle store late. He ordered Frehiwot to go clean his bedroom. While she was there he came in and locked the door. Frehiwot was afraid, as she suspected what was coming next. Her uncle forced her to have sex with him. He threatened her and said if she told anyone he would send her out of the house with nowhere to go.
Today: Frehiwot left to live on the street, where she remained until authorities intervened. She currently lives in a children's home.
April
Meseret's Story*
Age: 16
Birth Place: Amhara region (Northern part of Ethiopia)
Currently Living: Addis Ababa streets
Educational Level: 3rd Grade
Meseret was born in Wollo, a rural area in the northern part of Ethiopia. She came to Addis Ababa (the capital city) at age seven with her family, as they were searching for a life which offered opportunity for their two daughters. When Meseret arrived in Addis Ababa she was exposed to street life and was forced to start begging. Neither parent had previously attended school or held a job that would offer an income covering the basic needs of the family. Begging would bring them temporary relief while facing the conditions of life on the street. Unfortunately, this temporary option would prove to be a downward spiral for Meseret and her sister.
One benefit of living in the city, despite it being on the street, is that the Ethiopian government requires all children to attend school. Meseret reached a third grade level. At the age of ten, she moved in with a foster care family who promised a good home, food, education and a safe place to live. Unfortunately the guardian did not fulfill this promise. Instead, Meseret faced what many young girls face in these situations: hard labor, no schooling, verbal, physical and often sexual abuse. Meserat ran away and returned to her biological family who were still living on the street.
For eight years Meseret and her family lived on the street, moving to different areas of the city based on their best chances for begging. The most popular areas are tourist spots and religious locations. One of the more permanent places street families live is called Yeka Michael which is in front of the Orthodox Church. During this time, Meseret became involved with the local drug, chat - a green leaf stimulant.
At 14 she was raped in the middle of the night by a man living on the street. Meserat never told anyone she was raped, including her mother. She later found out she was pregnant. Due to the shame of being raped and not telling anyone, the pregnancy was kept secret for as long as possible. She ended up giving birth on the street. Unable to take care of the newborn, Meserat is now begging full time and using her baby to beg. The cycle of living on the street has continued. Fortunately she and her baby are free from HIV/AIDS.
*Names have been changed and no images will be posted.
Meseret's Story*
Age: 16
Birth Place: Amhara region (Northern part of Ethiopia)
Currently Living: Addis Ababa streets
Educational Level: 3rd Grade
Meseret was born in Wollo, a rural area in the northern part of Ethiopia. She came to Addis Ababa (the capital city) at age seven with her family, as they were searching for a life which offered opportunity for their two daughters. When Meseret arrived in Addis Ababa she was exposed to street life and was forced to start begging. Neither parent had previously attended school or held a job that would offer an income covering the basic needs of the family. Begging would bring them temporary relief while facing the conditions of life on the street. Unfortunately, this temporary option would prove to be a downward spiral for Meseret and her sister.
One benefit of living in the city, despite it being on the street, is that the Ethiopian government requires all children to attend school. Meseret reached a third grade level. At the age of ten, she moved in with a foster care family who promised a good home, food, education and a safe place to live. Unfortunately the guardian did not fulfill this promise. Instead, Meseret faced what many young girls face in these situations: hard labor, no schooling, verbal, physical and often sexual abuse. Meserat ran away and returned to her biological family who were still living on the street.
For eight years Meseret and her family lived on the street, moving to different areas of the city based on their best chances for begging. The most popular areas are tourist spots and religious locations. One of the more permanent places street families live is called Yeka Michael which is in front of the Orthodox Church. During this time, Meseret became involved with the local drug, chat - a green leaf stimulant.
At 14 she was raped in the middle of the night by a man living on the street. Meserat never told anyone she was raped, including her mother. She later found out she was pregnant. Due to the shame of being raped and not telling anyone, the pregnancy was kept secret for as long as possible. She ended up giving birth on the street. Unable to take care of the newborn, Meserat is now begging full time and using her baby to beg. The cycle of living on the street has continued. Fortunately she and her baby are free from HIV/AIDS.
*Names have been changed and no images will be posted.
