Hanna, the eldest of six siblings, was born and raised in Addis Ababa. Hanna’s childhood was marked by peace and an abundance of family love. Her family was known for their hospitality, generosity, compassionate nature and utmost respect for each other.

Before she completed high school, Hanna found part-time work at a Catholic missionary organization run by the Good Shepherd Sisters. After a while, Hanna was placed in the organization’s new daycare and learned various handicrafts at a center where she was imbued with a wealth of invaluable lessons that would guide her moving forward. Reflecting on her childhood, Hanna recalls that she aspired to one day become wealthy, so that she could provide care and support for orphans and the elderly. This was the stepping stone to realizing her vision.

Through these hands-on experiences and knowledge, Hanna found herself learning far more than what mere academic theory could impart. She cherished the time spent at the center immersed in the company of young children, which instilled her with a wealth of knowledge and unwavering passion. Hanna’s tireless dedication later earned her the role of Women and Children’s Coordinator, a position she embraced wholeheartedly. In this role, Hanna found profound joy in her work and continued to accumulate invaluable insights through her endeavors. Through all these, she managed to complete her college degree in Management.

Hanna’s heart was stirred to action when she attended a conference on the plight of children left orphaned as a result of HIV/AIDS. Witnessing the anguish of these young lives, bereft of caretakers to call their own, ignited a profound conviction within Hanna.

It all started when Hanna learned about a neighbor who was living with HIV/AIDS. The woman expressed deep concern over who would care for her young child once she was gone. Without hesitation, Hanna offered to take the child into her own home promising to provide Sammy with a loving environment. Hanna’s husband, who had some reservations, eventually agreed. This child was to be the first of the many to come.

Hanna had to come up with a different plan if she was to continue with her ambition of establishing an orphanage. She appealed to her father for help. Her father generously provided a plot of land with a small house, enabling Hanna to establish a home for the kids. With the living space secured, Hanna began working tirelessly, providing after-school sex education training to young people in local churches and selling embroidered and traditional clothing.

Placing her trust in God, she reached out to the organization Menschen fur Menschen, who responded with compassion.  This was the pivotal juncture that marked the inception of “Han’s Orphans’ Home” journey!

As the number of children in her charge grew, Hanna recognized the need for adequate financial resources to manage the growth. She continued selling traditional throws/Gabi to friends and organizations. When expanding the facility became unavoidable, she rented more facilities to accommodate the growth that endured for 13 years.

Learning Hanna’s plight, a journalist appeared on her doorstep. Her television appearance soon brought increased recognition and awareness to her orphanage. Hanna also extended her compassion to youth leaving the juvenile justice system, understanding that without support, they too were at risk of returning to their previous circumstances. Hence, the other reason behind the recent  change of the organization’s name to Holistic Opportunity for Humanity (HOH).

In 2014, HOH moved to the Qoshe area serving the community where the poorest of the poor live. HOH provided this community with basic skills that earned  the community women employment. Acknowledging  HOH’s purposeful community service, the woreda provided land on which HOH built simple structures to house their many services. HOH has supported about 200 orphans to date who have graduated and gainfully employed but only 19 remain as orphans currently. HOH also supports 156 young kids from the community by using a different model than orphanages, “Children in Alternative Care”, by which the children stay with their parents or guardians, but are provided with full services. The organization provides shelter, food, health, clothing, life-skill training, education and counseling for these kids. 

Hanna attributes the remarkable success and sustained growth of her NGO to the profound impact of her unwavering devotional prayer life. Hanna’s focus has been dedicated to planting and nurturing positive values within the children, while maintaining discipline. Hanna cherishes spending her free time engaged in Bible studies and teaching the scriptures to young children.

Reflecting on what she hopes to impart to the younger generation, Hanna emphasizes the importance of simplicity. She believes that regardless of one’s title or status, approachability is crucial as it allows anyone in need to freely share their challenges. Hanna stresses that by remaining truly simple, people can easily connect with us, enabling us to properly share what we have to offer. Hanna also emphasizes the importance of persistence in order to achieve one’s vision. This quality, she believes, helps individuals navigate the endless hardships of life.

Despite the immense challenges she has endured, including a harrowing period when she nearly succumbed to a grave illness, Hanna is grateful for her health and peace of mind. Hanna firmly believes that what she currently possesses is more than sufficient – it is exactly what she requires. 

Hanna believes that for anyone aspiring to be a leader, the essential prerequisite is a willingness to serve others first. “A true leader is not one who seeks to be served, but rather one committed to serving”. Hanna emphasizes that people should not be afraid to admit failure. Instead, she encourages them to have faith in their own abilities, believing that they can and will succeed.

Hanna expresses her deep appreciation for the work that AWiB is doing and suggests that AWiB collaborates more with CSOs like HOH to provide training and resources that can truly uplift women in their communities.

AWiB expresses gratitude to Hanna for sharing her inspiring story and wishes her the utmost success in all of her endeavors. The AWiB Team!

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