My heart is in mourning. I have just learned of the death of Haregewoin Teferra. Many Ethiopian families that have traveled the road of adoption have read and been moved by a wonderful
and true account of a woman who could never say no to an orphan in need. It is
called “There is No Me Without You”. As you travel the words put together by
Melissa Fay Greene you find the reality of life in Ethiopia and the life in many developing
nations. We were privileged to visit with Haregewoin and I feel honored to have
met her.
We took a long and dust filled drive across Addis
Ababa. Our driver stopped to ask exactly where her orphanage
was. We passed women with loads greater than you have seen on many pack animals….sticks
so long they reached almost across the street. The sticks bundled so high that
their bodies bowed with weight.
As we parked outside the compound, Tom and I (along with another sweet American family)
entered through a large gate into a compound, as with the whole country, that made you feel like you were in another world. The large center area was packed dirt, our shoes and bodies kicking up dust with every
step. We were greeted with by Haregewoin with warm smiles, as if we had know
her our whole lives. She invited us in a small room, crowded with couches and
a table in the center. It’s obvious use was to entertain visitors. Though it was obvious she did not have vast resources, she invited us in for tea and small wafer like cookies. She already had guests visiting. She
wished to hold Ayane (as Bekah was called then). Ayane wanted none of it. She had already begun the attachment process
and did NOT want to go with strangers.
A small little boy wandered in and she shared with us that he already had a family
waiting for him. We were able to see some of the children’s rooms as we passed. They were not rich, but cement floors with ancient bunk beds. Yet, her love for these children was obvious.
I sit in mourning today for a
woman who devoted her life, imperfect and wonderful, to these sweet little ones of Ethiopia.
The following link is to the
author’s blog.
http://www.thereisnomewithoutyou.com/blog?op=view&id=64
