Living is easy with eyes closed said John Lennon. Having a heart to heart with the beautiful and passionate Hana Bekele warmed my heart and challenged me deeply. This young lady is taking Ethiopia by storm and disrupting the status quo.
I was eight years old when I lost my sight. It was heartbreaking and frustrating for me but mostly for my family and neighbors. I was the first one in the community to become blind. One of my relatives recommended Shashemena, a school for the blind which I joined till grade six. Prior to that, I had to join a local school to continue with grade seven and eight which was extremely depressing and a disaster. No one knew how to handle me as the school and teachers were not well equipped to handle my case. Nevertheless, I was always the top student and the teachers were constantly on the look out for other schools or opportunities that could help me become better. I joined Yekatit 12 School for the blind in Addis Ababa to continue with my grade nine studies through the help of family and a few friends. I later joined Addis Ababa university to study law but unfortunately had to drop out one year to graduation. This was because my grades were very low because of accessibility challenges the school. My overly excited community back at home did not help either. They expected me to graduate with honors and constantly put me at a pedestal telling me to make them proud. Of course I became a nerve wreck! (laughs). I joined Kotebe Teachers College with the support of a few friends to pursue a diploma in English and a computer training program by a local NGO. I did very well that the NGO employed me to train the visually impaired while I continued studying the diploma on part time. I passed my diploma with a distinction. However, I was still haunted by dropping out of university earlier on. I joined the University of Addis Ababa again to study a BA in Sociology. I graduated in 2015. By the way, while still in campus, I got an opportunity to take the position of General Manager of an NGO, The Ethiopian National Disability Action Network. I worked to create a united voice in disability while still pursuing my degree. This was a huge decision to make as I was still studying. I did it and I am still there today. IN 2015, I was selected in the highly competitive Mandela Washington Fellowship in the Civic leadership track. This changed my life. YALI is one of those prestigious fellowships that disrupt your life. I also got selected for the YALI Regional Center E.A. My life will never be the same again. I can tell you for a fact that I have grown immensely as a leader. I volunteer with three Women With Disability Associations: The Ethiopian Women with Disabilities National Association as the vice president of the board, Equal Opportunity Association for Women with Disabilities living with HIV as the vice chairperson and FYNOTE Rehab of Women with Disability Association as the chairperson of the general assembly. My work involves design of projects, planning, overseeing projects and resource mobilization. I am very passionate about women. I know that being a woman can have its own challenges in the work place, now add a woman living with disability, it can be crazy. That is why I must empower them. We have reached over 5,000 people through our initiatives. I am currently pursuing my Masters in Social work at Addis Ababa University which I do on part time basis. I am committed to serve my community. This also involves improving my skills and great time management. I always encourage the youth to seize opportunities. What is your potential? How can you improve yourself? Can you commit to involve other people and execute on viable solutions for problems in your community that can help others? Then stop dreaming, talking and just do it! It is important to appreciate diversities, from gender, disability, culture, etc., and to use them in our solutions and resources. Africa has great resources. My vision in the next 10 years is to see Persons With Disabilities in Africa have equal opportunities and engagements. I intend to establish my own organization that focuses on thousands of women with disabilities. Fun? Well, I love spending time with loved ones, movies, the theater. Though my time is tight, family and friends come first. Other than that, I love eating our Ethiopian super food, Injera and dorowat.
We wish you the very best Hana Bekele. Keep up with the social impact and personal development. Soar like the eagle you are.
Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.” Helen Keller.
