My journey began in a small village in Ethiopia, where life was simple yet full of challenges. Born to a single mother who struggled to make ends meet, I learned early on what it meant to fight for survival.But even in those early years, there was something special about my surroundings—the vast open fields, the vibrant culture, and the warmth of the community. It was this environment that shaped my love for Ethiopia and planted the seeds of a dream that would one day grow into something much bigger.At the age of five, my life took a dramatic turn when I developed tuberculosis of the spine, a condition that left me unable to walk without assistance.In the span of a year, I lost both my mother and grandmother, the two people who had been my entire world.
With no stable home or support, I was passed from one relative to another, each unable to provide the care I desperately needed.But even in those darkest moments, I never gave up hope. My aunt, determined to give me one last chance at a better life, brought me to Addis Ababa in search of medical help. The journey was difficult, and when we arrived, we were told that my condition was too severe to be treated.
With no other options, my aunt made the heart-wrenching decision to leave me at a church, hoping that someone would take pity on me.It was at that church that my life changed forever. The kindness of strangers and the grace of God led me to Mother Teresa’s Mission for the Sick and Destitute, where I was introduced to an American doctor who would later become my adoptive father.This was the turning point—this was where my journey truly began.
