“After we came back from Denmark to Ethiopia, we did live in Addis Ababa for about a year. At our condominium, there was no playing ground for children. Then, I decided to build a swing. I did buy all the things needed and started. Initially, no one paid attention. People were thinking as if I was going to make a rope to hang on washed clothes. But, after I made the swing, a woman came and told me to stop! She didn’t ask me what I was doing, she also didn’t want to discuss in detail. She told me that I don’t have the right to build the swing on the communal land. I replied that the swing would be used by all the kids living in our apartment. Again, she refused. I didn’t get it. I told her that I was staying there for short time. But, since my children should have a place to play outside the apartment, I took the initiative to build the swing. She was not convinced. Thus, she forced me to stop making the swing! She was head of the condominium residents management. But, why they didn’t help build play ground for children? I gave up, there is missing link in our urban planning system. People build lots of big buildings and they forget plans for children. the mindsets of some leadership is another obstacle. Common problem in our shared properties… ”
“Having a child is a Miracle. Of course, everyone can have a child as far as he/she is fertile. One might not need a University degree to be able to make children. It is gift given to all human beings. If seeing your new born child cant make you happy, what else can do so? Imagine the number of nerves in human brain! All children, whether from rich or poor, educated or illiterate are given equal chance of becoming the most amazing creature in the world. As a father, I also feel so glad to see myself within the eyes of my children. Through the future of my kids, I can dream of a better world best for all kids. Thus, I wish all of us across the world value human beings! I witness that kids are left by roadside as garbage. Kids are being undervalued. Some of us might think that human beings are not that much special than the other animals. Yes, we are living things like the other animals. However, if we are given the right environment, we can make amazing things in the world more than any other animal. We can make our world better for all living things. The opposite is also so dangerous! We can not ignore the impact of wrong mindsets. Lets do our best, so that our children will live in a better world. This book is 1 step 🙂
YessEthiopia 