Sheraro Continued

The emotional visit to Shimelba concluded we return to the village of Sheraro and our “not quite the Hilton” Hotel.  Solomon drops us and he goes off in search of Zenabesh.  Zenabesh is Meharet’s mother.  Meharet, her husband Dawit and her children Alexander and Indiana have become active participants of Northminster.  We have carried photos and gifts for Meharet’s family.  It is also at Zenabesh’s home that we hope to meet Angesum.

Background-

Mekonen and Abrehet came to the US almost five years ago with their sons Keflome and Tesfome.  The way it works in the refugee camp is that a family enters a lottery.  If your name is drawn you get to leave and it happens quickly.  Keflome has a twin brother named Angesum.  He was living with Abrahet’s father because she could not afford to support the whole family.  When the family’s name came up they had to leave quickly.  There was no time to get Angesum.

Several months ago Abrehet received word that her father had died.  Angesum stays with Abrehet’s sister, but is pretty much on his own.  They sent word ahead asking him to go to Zenabesh’s house to meet us.

Back to the story-

Solomon returns with the brother on Zenabesh.  We go with them through the village to the home of Zenabesh.  The entire neighborhood is outside watching for the ferengies from America.  The first face we see looks just like Keflome.  “Angesum?” we ask.  He smiles and we know.

Zenabesh welcomes us into her home with a coffee ceremony.  We look at photos and tell stories.  Our driver, Solomon, is a translator and a friend by now.  He joins us at the table as we are fed doro wat, eggs and injera.  Angesum tries on the clothes Keflome sent with us for him.  His smile is magical.

It is late when we leave, promising to return in the morning. 

In the morning we accept the gifts being sent back to Meharet.  We offer to drive Angesum and his uncle back to their village.  Two hours later we drop them.  I am crying.  How can we leave this boy?  He asks us to tell his mother, “My life here is hard.  I have no family.  I want to be with my mother and my brother.”  We promise to do what we can to make that happen.  We give his uncle some money for his care.  We give Angesum some money for school expenses.  We hug and kiss.  As we drive away I pray for a way to get him to his mother.  There must be a way.  We must find it.