AN INCREDIBLE 5 YEARS JOURNEY OF DAHABESHA

Five years ago, after almost a year away from social media, I created @dahabesha simply to laugh at my jokes.  Creating Dahabesha was probably the best thing I have ever done in my life. I have met so many good people and few assholes…all appreciated for the lesson they have taught me. People have laughed, gotten jobs, met new people, discussed mental health and other topics that are not discussed in our community as a result of Dahabesha. We saw how the cousins are “habeshaing” around the world via @we.habesha. As a result of Dahabesha, your vocabulary expanded to include the word “Hoebesha”.

FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS ABOUT DAHABESHA.

REUSABLE PADS
Providing reusable pads for schoolgirls in Ethiopia has been my proudest moment in addressing issues like “Period Poverty”. The first pad shipment was sent to a place where farmers had to walk three hours to and from the bus stop to get them. Thank you very much for that, the 47 students appreciated it very much. Schoolgirls in and around Addis Ababa received the rest of the reusable pads. Additionally, we sent about 3000 regular pads to women displaced by the war in Tigray and elsewhere. The contribution from ICARE_POWER_PERIOD was crucial. That is something we will always be grateful for.

RENOVATION OF RAS DESTA HOSPITAL 

A selfless act done by a group of people who wanted to give back to the community. It’s impossible for me to talk about this without getting emotional. After visiting the hospital to see how the renovations were going a year ago, I cried on the way home. I’m not even ashamed to admit that. Even a tough guy like me gets emotional when he sees little kids resting in a clean,
freshly painted room, rather than in an unhealthy room covered in mold.

There is so much I want to say, but I am still so overwhelmed by the thought of it. The challenge of this task was nothing compared to what came after it. I have been tested on several levels, but none of them have been as traumatic or life changing as my friend’s experience. Our intentions were pure and good, but fate had other plans for us. “HodeYifjew” ale Gash Tilahun .

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS and JOBS HOOK UPs

Every life-changing moment in my life was impacted by a total stranger I met by accident. This platform is my way of paying it forward for all the good things total strangers have done for me.

Besides being convicted to focus on my mental health by a total stranger, I also received an offer for a job on the post from a total stranger.

As a mental health advocate, I am always happy to persuade people to seek help for mental health issues. I’ve compiled a list of mental health care providers in Ethiopia and posted it online(Click here). I am also working on another list of habesha mental health care providers outside of Ethiopia and Eritrea as well. I will post it soon.  I always convince people to hire Habesha people for everything. My job postings include international and local positions. On dahabesha.com, a job listing section will be added soon.

SCHOOL SUPPLY AND SCHOOL FEES – I met a mom of two a year ago who was given assistance in starting an injera business. In addition, we also helped a blind university student raise two of his daughters. In recent weeks, y’all helped a deserving guy register for his master’s degree. The updates he gives me about his progress warm my heart every time.

It takes a lot of energy and time to be everyone’s stay-at-home cousin. I am kept motivated by the Shiro videos and pictures you send me. So many people have told me stories, in the DMs and anonymously via the website. You have trusted me with your stories, and I’m forever grateful. It is my hope that my honest opinion has added value to your life.

With Dahabesha, I have accomplished so much. I am so proud of it.