Mother to a nation

Capital: Tell us about yourself please?

Abebech Gobena: First of all, I give my heartfelt thanks to God for the support he has provided me in the success I achieved over the last twenty- seven years. I was born in 1938, in northern Shewa, Fiche- Shebele village. I was brought to my grandparents because my father was killed during the Ethio-Italian war. At the age of 10, my mother took me away from my grandparents and forced me into marriage but I ran away to Addis Ababa. Life in Addis Ababa was very difficult at first.

Capital: How did you begin to care for orphans?

Abebech Gobena: In 1980, I went on a pilgrimage to Gishen Mariam, the Holy Church in northeast Wollo At that time there was a severe drought in the area which caused a catastrophic famine. Many people were dying each day. One of these was a woman who had just died but her baby was alive and crying. I had no choice but to take the baby from the morgue and care for it. Later on four people were buried in a landslide. Three of them died, but one man and his child survived. That man asked me, “I am dying, please take care of my kid.” I gave him a cup of Besso, (barley mix) and soon after that he died. So I came back to Addis Ababa with two orphans. Now, one of the orphans lives in Holland, and the other one is in Addis Ababa. The number of orphans grew to 21 by the end of the same year. My family did not approve of my humanitarian activity but I chose to continue to accept orphans. Life with my orphaned children was very difficult and I sold my personal jewelry in order to stay afloat. I also sold enjera, bread and pepper and life continued like that till 1988, when, one man by the name of Nebeyu Tessema from the Ministry of Health, came to my home and observed the growing number of orphans in the small house. He then announced my orphanage activities to the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, CRC, CRDA, Menschen fur Menschen and others and requested support for the orphanage organization in various ways.

Capital: How many branches does your organization have? And how many children are you raising at the moment?

Abebech Gobena: The number children has grown beyond our expectations. In addition to 150 children cared for by the orphanage, there are over twelve thousand in need of help who are supported through our organization. We have organizations in Addis Ababa, Fiche, Guder, Ambo, and Burayu. In total, we have 21 schools in western Shewa and 8 in northern Shewa, and one clinic each in Ambo-Altufa and Burayou. Generally, about 1.5 million people are either direct or indirect beneficiaries of my organization.
Capital: What are the activities that your organization has conducted to date?
Abebech Gobena: 160 orphan children are benefiting from institutional care such as education, health, recreational and other basic necessities. We have provided equipment and initial capital for 11 boys and 29 girls. 570 children directly benefit school uniform, supplies and school fees. 1790 children are getting sponsorships. 116 children have been adopted and are in different countries, in collaboration with the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs. Among the orphans, 16 have been employed in various organizations, 2 have been in government office, 32 have become self employed and 6 have attended universities.

Capital: What services are you providing currently?

Abebech Gobena: They are many and varied. They include the orphanage itself, HIV/AIDS prevention activities, formal and non-formal education, habitat improvement and infrastructure development, agricultural extension, savings and credit, environmental protection, relief assistance and others.

Capital: What are the criteria children must meet to join your organization?

Abebech Gobena: I require a certificate from the kebele, woreda, or other authorities proving one or both parents have passed away. We also take in abandoned infants.

Capital: What challenges have you been facing?
Abebech Gobena: The number of orphans is increasing as a result of the impact of HIV/ AIDS and also some of these children are HIV positive. Due to budget constraints, the organization lacks sufficient personnel. And lack of a permanent sponsorship for my orphanage organization is a challenging task.

Capital: What kinds of awards have you received for this noble work?

Abebech Gobena: There are many. I have received from Addis Ababa University, on its 50th anniversary, a medal and certificate of merit; Second Annual World Food Program International Women’s Day award honors; certificate of merit from United Nations Association of Ethiopia Family Federation for World Peace and United Nations Volunteers Program and a certificate of recognition of contribution to the Silver Jubilee Anniversary of CRDA. I also have Rotary Club of Addis Ababa East honorary membership and, Honorary doctrate from Jimma Universty.

Capital: What messages would you like to convey to the people of Ethiopia and the world at large?

Abebech Gobena: I am getting on in years. The question is, who is going to lead the organization? The answer is the people of Ethiopia and the world at large should lead the organization. I have applied to the government that my orphanage organization needs a transformation into an association such as the Red Cross. If this is done, it will continue to be a home for every body.