My name is Hagazi. In my language, Tigrinya, that means “helper.” I am 19. I live outside the town of Alamata (population 33,000) in Tigray province. It is 700 km (437 miles) north of Addis Ababa. I walk for 30 minutes to a road, then have a 14 hour bus ride to Addis Ababa.
My parents divorced when I was 6 years old, and my mom left me with my father. I grew up with my father and grandparents and his 4 other children. We all lived in a 1 room mud home without electricity or running water. We walk to a hand dug well every day for water.
I’ve been supporting myself since 4 th grade. I started selling shenkora - sugar cane, on the streets. When I turned 16, I moved to a nearby county to be closer to school. I paid 100 birr/month ($2.50) for house rent. I continued selling shenkora and shining shoes to support myself. I made 5 birr (12 cents) for each shoeshine. On my best day I’d make 70 birr ($1.75). I was frequently teased – they called me “gobata,” (hunchback), and said “you look like a cow.” Still, I kept going.
I took the National Exam after 10th grade but did not do great. I decided to come to the capital city, Addis Ababa, to look for work. I immediately went to the Merkato, (said to be the largest open-air market in Africa). I found work guarding containers and other goods, making 100 birr ($2.50) per day. A group of kind young people let me stay with them.
One day, a stranger walked over and said “You need to stop working and get treated. Go to Black Lion University Hospital.” The next day, I learned that the hospital only takes referrals from other hospitals. I went to a city health center. They referred me to Yekatit 12 Hospital. Yekatit doctors studied me carefully, did x-rays and blood tests. That was my first time to be examined by a doctor. They concluded “There is only 1 doctor in the country who can help – Dr. Rick.” My visit to Dr. Rick was different from anything I had experienced. Somehow, I just knew he was going to help me. He examined me, took over 20 photos, did x-rays, a CAT scan, and breathing tests. For the first time, I actually had hope I could be treated.
Dr. Rick asked me where I was staying, and I answered “I have no place.” Dr. Rick arranged housing. I met other spine patients, some of whom had recovered, after traction and surgery. Later I met AJ and a bunch of farenges (foreign people), and they too said they wanted to help me.
Recently, during the war in Tigray, I was hiding with my family in my village. We heard explosions, shooting and shouting, but we were not hurt.
Dr. Rick and the JDC team are the answer to my prayers. Now I have hope. To my supporters, I want to say “Thank you for investing in me and giving me a chance to change my life. I have no words to express my gratitude. I want to see you in 6 months - you won’t recognize me!”
On 16 April, 2021, Hagazi flew to Accra, Ghana, accompanied by 14 other patients and an Ethiopian spine surgeon-in-training. He will be admitted to FOCOS Hospital for traction and surgery by Dr. Oheneba Boachie-Adjei and his amazing team.
Update: June 9, 2021 - Hagazi in FOCOS Hospital Accra, Ghana
