Beti at the Mercato School

Addis Ababa: October 6, 2010

by Menna Alemu

Beti is in her second year of kindergarten at the Mercato school in Addis Ababa. She is five years-old. She's a beautiful little girl. But in her first few months in school, she was very quiet and distracted. She was prone to fits of crying. The teachers were concerned, and so were we, the administrative staff.

Lots of children at the Mercato school come in with problems. Their clothes are tattered. Some have no lunch. Some have had no breakfast. They haven't been bathed. When they are not in school, they are left to play in the street. Their parents are laborers and have no time for them.
But Beti was an extreme case. Even among these children, she was obviously neglected. She was hungrier and more unkempt.

When we investigated, we found out she has lost both parents to AIDS. She lives with an aunt now. We had to argue with this aunt to keep Beti in school. The more we tried to reason with her, the angrier she became. She remarked that she wished Beti were dead.

We gave Beti new clothing. The teachers washed her. We made sure she was fed. Beti is now happier. She participates in class. She smiles. And given a chance, Beti demonstrates a sharp mind and an eagerness to learn. Every day is a battle to keep Beti in school, but we are committed.

When I visit the Mercato school, that's what I see: all the smiles. That is our success. Outside the school, the children's lives are miserable. But inside, for six hours, they are safe and happy.

I have worked with the Tesfa Foundation for three years this month. During my time as program director for Tesfa Tsegereda, we have opened five of Tesfa's seven funded schools. We have founded the Team Tesfa teen program. We have hosted dozens of volunteers from Europe and America. I've learned a lot.

I believe we live worthy lives as people by helping others achieve the glimpse of hope they've had that has been killed by difficult lives, helping them take steps toward their dreams that they never thought could come true. Tesfa has been an institute where I've learned endurance and perseverance. I've learned that love and caring always has big rewards, the reward of seeing others have hope. Tesfa means hope in the Amharic language, and Tesfa is about people with big hearts reaching out to the underprivileged ones who are forgotten but have big dreams.

I'm happy to be a witness to the lives Tesfa has changed. I believe many more will be able to change their destinies because of what we can provide as individuals.