Yeshi building her family

Posted on 29 November 2012 by Mini Dubbelaar

A woman of valor in Ethiopia

Yeshi is a woman who lives in Ethiopia under very poor conditions. Her husband abandoned her and left for an undisclosed location by himself, to fill his own belly, while she remains behind with their three children, without any income. Woman of Valor (WOV) interviewed Yeshi and asked her about her situation in the past, presently and her expectations for the future.

WOV: Your name is Yeshi, that sounds interesting. What does your name mean?

Yeshi: Yeshi means ‘Of great valor’.

WOV: You have three children and your husband abandoned the family. How do you manage? One of your children is in boarding school and two of them are with you in your home.

Yeshi: We have had a hard life. I was even unable to afford food and clothes for my kids and myself.

WOV: Five months ago the Jewish National Firstfruits Fund of the congregation Beth Yeshua in  Amsterdam, Holland started to support you. Are there any changes in your life since then?

Yeshi: Yes, thank God, He lightened my great burden by putting something good into their heart. I always had the desire for trade, but I was not able to put my wishes into practice, because I had no money to start. But now I have begun a small business. I even gained some profit, but not much yet, because I still lack the equipment to keep food cool and warm. I simply and quickly buy and sell some fresh things by moving from one point to another. Or sometimes by staying in a place for a short while and get my products sold.

WOV: What does the future look like for you?

Yeshi: I am confident that I can make more profit and get self supporting. I want to promote my plans and get the necessary equipment for that. If I have that I am sure I can become self-reliant.

WOV: Is there something else you want to share with us?

Yeshi: I have got a disabled brother who is staying with me, because no one else can take care of him. His name is Tedy (Theodros). This is because he is a heavily disabled person. My house is not adjusted to his needs. So daily life has become very difficult for me as a woman. As I have heard, there are various governmental and non-governmental organisations in your country Holland that take care of the disabled. But this is not so in Ethiopia. If the person has got any family they will have to take care of him or her. But if not, he or she will have to sit by the roadside in order to beg for alms. We do not want our brother Teddy to have that kind of life. Instead, we want him to have some means of life, a small industry, so that he can work for himself and become self supporting. Once again, thank you very much on behalf of my family, for all you have done for me. May the almighty God bless you all!

WOV: Thank you, dear Yeshi, for this interview. We will follow you in your efforts.
To be continued.