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The Journey to Hope: Degefa's Story
Degefa is a father, future teacher, and recent university graduate. He lives in Asella, Ethiopia with his wife, Zenebech, and their five children: Shanbel, Moges, Kokobe, Meseret, and Asnaku.
His journey to graduating and providing for his family was not easy, and it required resilience and drive that Degefa has always had. As a teenager, Degefa graduated from high school with distinction, and enrolled in college. He chose to study mechanical and electrical work.
In 2001, after a devastating accident during his college training, Degefa became blind. He could no longer work in his field of study; he couldn't even see the sun or the faces of his wife and children. He moved back to his hometown with his family and felt hopeless.
It wasn’t until 2016 that something stirred in him, urging him to change his life despite the challenge of being blind. Degefa wanted to go to university, but as a blind man, was told he’d have to re-complete high school, learning in Braille, before pursuing higher education. The closest school was a four hour walk away and so each day at 4 AM, Degefa, accompanied by one of his children as a guide, would make the journey over rough terrain to Asella.
After a year of walking about 8 hours a day, Degefa’s classmates referred him to Christian Horizons Ethiopia (CHE), a disability services organization that partners with Karis Disability Services. CHE helped relocate Degefa and his family to Asella, and his children started attending school and other programs at Horizons Academy. Zenebech, Degefa’s wife, learned basic business training and earned a grant to start a business, selling injera from their new home.
Degefa recently graduated from his studies at Hawassa University where he earned a degree in Special Needs Education. Degefa hopes to teach students with disabilities, ensuring their futures are as bright as his own.
"I share this story not as a report, but as a testimony,” shared Dr. Megersa, Executive Director of CHE. “Degefa’s story continues to be written, not in tragedy, but in triumph.”
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