How to Celebrate New Year’s?

Here in Ethiopia, we celebrated the New Year this past September with singing and dancing in the lively streets of Addis Ababa. One of the remarkable groups that performed named themselves the Samaritan Family. Clad in vibrant, traditional attire, adorned with intricate hair braids, and holding the symbolic Adey Abeba flowers, they danced to the rhythmic beats of Abebayehosh, a traditional Ethiopian song that echoed through the streets.

This celebration wasn’t just a joyous spectacle; it was a moving symphony of compassion that touched the hearts of everyone who witnessed it. These scholars are not only excellent performers, they are also compassionate volunteers, helping people in their community who need it the most.

The women who performed are part of a club founded by some of our Samaritan Scholars, called “The Visionary Girls’ Club.” They have met every Wednesday for the past two years, forming a sisterhood that extends beyond friendship. Comprised mainly of high schoolers and a few junior college students, they transformed these gatherings into platforms for growth, empowerment, and a shared vision for forging a better world together. 

Within the walls of their weekly meetings, these young ladies engaged in impromptu speech challenges, honing their communication skills and fostering an environment of mutual support. Their book club, a testament to their commitment to personal development, instilled a culture of reading and sharing. It was during these gatherings that the seeds were sown of their collective vision to help vulnerable people.

The ladies have received crucial support from the young men in their community. These young men, actively engaged, played a vital role in the success of their collective endeavors. Together, the boys and girls formed a united front, sharing a common goal of providing support to the elderly and vulnerable, taking turns cleaning houses, washing clothes, and offering companionship to those who could no longer care for themselves. This continuous thread of compassion became the foundation of their collective mission.

One hallmark of their efforts was the mobilization of a significant sum, 27,000 Ethiopian birr ($500 American dollars), following their New Year performance (spectators put money in a hat for every song they sang walking through town). This wasn’t a fund for personal gain; it was a collective resource aimed at supporting the elderly. The girls envisioned using this money not only for continued companionship and care but also for the reconstruction of failing and dilapidated houses for these vulnerable members of their community.

As the Samaritan Family danced through the streets, their celebration resonated beyond the immediate vicinity. It wasn’t just a dance into a new year; it was a dance into the hearts of their community. While others were bidding farewell to the past and embracing resolutions for the future, these young individuals were actively shaping their community’s present with acts of kindness, unity, and a shared vision for a brighter tomorrow.

As the Samaritan Family continues their journey, their story becomes a beacon of inspiration. It reminds us that celebration takes on a whole new meaning when it’s infused with purpose. In their dance through the streets of Addis Ababa, they teach us that true celebration is about lifting each other up, one act of kindness at a time. 

Every year, we get questions on different ways you can give. Here are four unique ways you can make a meaningful impact before the end of 2023.  

Selam Terefe, Regional Director, East Africa

Selam has years of experience in international development and aid. Her education and career have given her a thorough and in-depth knowledge of gender, legal, social, and political issues of East Africa with a special focus on Ethiopia. Selam is passionate about development in Africa and a strong believer in effective partnerships.