Meskerem Abebe

Home Country: Ethiopia

Occupation: Social worker at Debrezit Meseret Kirstos Child Development Center

Q: How did Compassion’s program help you as a child?

A: My father was laid off from the [Ethiopian] air force at the time the center started work in my neighborhood. … My family never bought me school materials or clothing; it is through the program that I got all the things I needed. I value my time in the program so much. I can’t separate my life from the program. The program is all I knew.

Q: How did the staff at the Compassion center change your life?

A: The staff cared for me and for all of us. Two of the staff, the center director and the social worker, have a special place in my heart. The former center director was like a father to me. He was very strict but also very loving.

The former social worker also played a huge role in my life. I learned the discipline of work and the importance of being hardworking from them. I also learned to be respectful and treat everyone equally.

Q: What was your experience with the family who sponsored you?

A: [My former sponsored family] treated me like their eldest child. They used to tell me about all the places they visited through letters and photos. It was one of the happiest times of my life. They canceled the sponsorship when they got divorced. I was sad.

Q: What motivated you to become a social worker at your childhood Compassion center, and what keeps you going?

A: I wanted to work with children, and when the [job] was announced I applied. The fact that I grew up under the center staff who mentored me has made my work extremely easy. I knew what the job entailed before there was even an opening. It felt like I had come home, and every day I come to work I feel like I’m coming home.

Working with children is very humbling, and I empathize with the children at the center. Many children come to share their life with me. There are many occasions where we all support children in their time of need. If they didn’t come and share their challenges, they would feel that they were facing them alone. After our conversations, I see their demeanor change.

Q: You’re now planning to learn law so you can advocate for abused girls. Why do you think it’s important to empower girls where you live?

A: We empower girls to transform the nation. Of course, we should also empower boys, but … in our community, girls face challenges that come with their age. Some give up on themselves too soon. They don’t believe they can succeed. I tell [girls] that they should withstand challenges for the sake of achieving a greater purpose later.

Q: How can people pray for you and the other workers at the Compassion center?

A: I want them to pray for the children so they can start seeing a bright future for themselves. I want them to pray for caregivers and children to come to the Lord. For us, the staff, I want them to pray for strength, grace and the presence of the Lord with us. I want sponsors to know that what we do is so special, but at the same time stressful. We feel the pain as well as the joy with the children.