Interview Etanesh Befekadu
April 2010
Last month, we interviewed Miss. Etanesh Befekadu, the Manager of
Bethzatha Children’s Home Association’s branch orphanage in Jimma, Ethiopia. Here, she shared with us her story of how she came to her calling & how she is taking part in saving orphans from distress.“
My name is Etanesh Befekadu. I live in Jimma. I came to work for Bethzatha in a very amazing and wonderful way. I came across the opportunity at a time that I so desperately sought for what I can do to alleviate my stress. I am a teacher at a rural public school. Every penny I bring home from working is spent on transport—I pay monthly for my car—and various other dire necessities. The income I receive from my day job is not enough to cover it all. I have children that do not have a father—their father died and I am now raising them alone. Since the income I bring home is very meager, I was contemplating what I could do [as additional work] when, it so happened that my brothers and sisters in Addis Ababa invited me to my brother?s wedding. I was not happy to go to the wedding—my income wouldn?t allow for me to what I wanted to do for my brother?s wedding celebration. Even if he didn?t want anything from me, because I didn?t have the funds to even go, I decided not to go.It just so happened that my brother mentioned that he had a sister that lived in Jimma to his
guest. That guest asked, “You have a sister in Jimma? We have work we would like to do in Jimma but didn?t have people to do it!” My brother then responded saying, “Yes I do—she is very active, works very well with people, knows the ins and outs of the area and can do anything. She is actually looking for work!” Then, the guest requested that my brother has me come to town for the wedding so that we could meet there. Then, my brother called me and said to me, „forget the wedding, at least come so that you can meet someone who has a job you could do in Jimma. If you come to the wedding, I could connect you with this person.? So, I went to the wedding and met this guest. We introduced and then the guest explained the position to me. I was happy to have found the opportunity—but had concerns as to how I could do this. The person explained that it should be no problem at all. I then expressed that I definitely had a desire to work, and if it works out, I?d be willing to take the opportunity.Soon after, we made an appointment for me to go to Bethzatha and meet Ato Samuel. I explained my background, experiences, and my ability to speak the local language in Jimma. He then offered me the position, and I said that,
as the Lord wills, I would do my best.In this way, I started my job here. I am very blessed to have this opportunity. I want to tell you
—my work here not only relieved me of my own stress and needs, but secondly, it is also a very rewarding and joyous work. Because saving even one life is a huge thing! Even if I?m not helping raise these children myself, by being in this position, doing the work, and by rescuing these children from death and bringing them to Bethzatha, I am very happy.“
When children come here, I find them very wounded and in vulnerable circumstances—they come here after spending nights in a flood, in a river, swarming with ants, and from other very scary and horrifying conditions. When I first started, this was extremely difficult for me. As I got used to the work, I started to realize that I’m actually saving lives—my conscious was more satisfied, and I am happy.”