Dear My People, Yideres lehulachihu
By: Alemeseged
I was born in one of the rural areas in Ethiopia in 1960. At the age of 7 I joined one of Elementary Schools in the area. In 1973, I won one of the most famous high school scholarships in Ethiopia, General Winget, Addis Ababa. Unfortunately, socialist revolutionary erupted in the country. Since I was suspected of helping people to cross the border I had to quit my education for sometime and hide myself in the most rural and border areas. I was caught by military government and tortured to death. Fortunately, I was released from prison due to lack of evidence and decided to join Addis Ababa University and study Law. After my LLB degree. I worked in government and non-government organizations as Legal Advisor, Legal Department Head and finally as Legal and Administration Department Head in one of the lucrative Business organizations in Ethiopia.
Finally, I got sick and bed-ridden due to HIV/AIDS and fired from the organization. I don’t know what to do. I had to support my children and my family. I was the only breadwinner of the family. I was extremely sick and unable to comprehend what to do. In one blue day, a person whom I know dialed my number and I told him that I am seriously sick and on my deathbed. He was shocked and he sent me $500 (Five hundred US Dollars) and advised me to start ARV. I know this man long year ago, how about those professionals who have been fired only because they have the virus in their blood? So, I acted as per his instructions. Initially, It aggravated my condition since my CD4 count was 43. Gradually, however, my condition improved. My state of half paralysis seemed to change and soon after, I was made President of an association working on HIV/AIDS. I gave voluntary service for this organization and frequently understood that I have something to contribute. I started to gain hope. One day, the person who saved my life came to Ethiopia. He saw my physical status from that day on, I think that this person, who saved my life, must have lost all hope of my survival.
In April 2004, I saw a person whom in know in my scholarship days in a TV screen doing exemplary commitments for millions of people living with the virus in Ethiopia. I saw him when he launches the Fluconazole drug which is the most expensive and all of us are totally unable to afford to buy.I was his senior when we were in General Wingate. We lost many friends due to the absence of this precious drug. I called to a person working in People to People as a program Director to pass my appreciation and thanks to this man. I thought he might not be interested to meet me as of many of my friends who totally stigmatized me only because I am leaving with the virus. But this man was unique and wants to talk to me and I mate him. I don’t want to write what we discussed and what he advised me to live longer with the virus, what I can say is that he planted another seed to my life, and that man is Dr.Enawgaw Mehari, who is my witness to my story and my school mate .
Fortunately enough he was interested in my story and offered me to make my contribution in accordance to my status and profession to wards the human rights of people living with the virus in Ethiopia.
I hope, I would contribute a lot to this organization as well. I don’t want to manifest my true name not only I am afraid of stigma and discrimination but also I am afraid that I may kill my story itself since I have a lot to tell. I would like to launch a lot of stories in the near future if you could collaborate. Please keep your promise. Please remember you promised me that you would keep in touch.
HIV/AIDS is a global issue. But fueled by poverty. It killed a lot of people in Ethiopia. The most victims being the young and the intellect the country is staggering. I have the opportunity to discuss the case with higher officials. The UNAIDS Director compared the case with that of terrorism. I would like to compare it with genocide in Rwanda and go further since Rwandan genocide is a happening in 100 days. But AIDS has no span of time. It took a lot of lives in decades and it would continue to do in aggravated manner unless the world community does something to curtail it.
I am an eyewitness to the deaths of many young and intellectuals I saw people dying like flies. Intellectuals who contributed a lot to the country are thrown away as soon as their status is identified. The case of employees in private organization is specially hazardous and devastating in Ethiopia. Unless, something is done to curtail such problems. I am afraid Africa, particularly of Ethiopia could lose the young and the intellect and may be wiped from the world map. I dare say this not because I am a pessimist but as a victim I have seen the real dangers of it. Rwandan case is a history to others but to the victims who saw the real case and survived it is still fresh in their memories. I want all concerned people worldwide to know that we professionals who contribute a lot for the country has been thrown out by our employers while we can still contribute to the country’s development.
Finally, I would like to call every body to give due emphasis for the human rights violation of people living with the virus in Ethiopia. I my self decided to work hard for the human rights of PLWHA in Ethiopia and I want all of you to join hands for better result.
Finally , allow me to call upon all Ethiopians particularly in the diaspora ,our eyes and hopes are on you.Iam a true example of survival beacuse of one of my friends in the diaspora but we need to take the fight to those who dont have friends too.We must try our best with all the strength of our mind and heart to save Ethiopians and the brilliance of our nation.
With best regards.
Yours,Alemeseged