My name is Mikias. I was born and raised in Gojjam, in a remote Ethiopian village called Wadal. I used to spend hours outside, helping my dad with farming, playing with friends, or following my mom whenever she went.

I remember the wind blowing dirt into my eyes until they burned and watered. At first, I thought it was nothing since where I was born in Ethiopia, dust was something I experienced daily. With time, it started to give me pain, and I noticed I was not seeing clearly.

When I was seven or even eight, my dad said he felt very cold. He complained of a headache, and by the next day, he was gone. I didn’t understand what had happened. Two years later, I lost my sight and my mom. My mother died from asthma, and I could no longer see clearly. Loss came in every form early in my life.

Losing both parents and my vision so young left a deep wound in my heart.

As time passed, my eyes continued to hurt more and my vision grew worse. I didn’t understand what was happening to me. Some said I was cursed. Many avoided me. My friends slowly disappeared. I couldn’t go to school anymore. I couldn’t study. I felt completely alone.

But even in that darkness, I held on to God. I believed he saw me, even when no one else did. I prayed and waited, trusting that he would answer me in his own time.

Then everything began to change. A man named Abebe, who cared deeply about my situation and was also a family member, brought me from Gojjam to Addis Ababa, our capital city. I didn’t know what to expect, but I knew it was my only chance. He brought me to the city, and took me to live with my oldest sister, who was a garbage collector.

After moving to the city, my sister’s neighbors referred us to the International Samaritan scholarship program. I was accepted as a scholarship recipient, which meant my school supplies, medical care, and other needs would be met.

I was also taken for eye exams and an eye operation at Menelik Specialized Hospital. After the operation, I waited in silence and fear. When the patches were finally removed, my vision was blurry, but I could see! With glasses, I could see even better. The very first person I saw clearly was my sister. I will never forget that moment. My whole body shook, and I couldn’t believe that I was able to see again. People say it’s a miracle: I say it is God’s healing and love for me.

I also live with dwarfism, and sometimes people tease me. But now I face life with courage, because I know where God brought me from. I know I was given my sight back for a reason. Because of everything I went through, my dream is clear: I want to become an eye doctor. I want to give sight to others the way sight was given back to me. I look up to Dr. Fikre Selassie, who has helped so many children see again. One day, I want to be like him.

I am now in grade 8, and I love studying math, science, and social studies. God gave me back my sight. And I know this is only the beginning of my story.

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.