Birzaf graduated with her BSC in Nursing in Mekele, Tigray, Ethiopia right as civil war broke out. She is an ambitious and smart woman in the middle of a war-torn country. We (her brother and friends) are fundraising to save her life and give her an opportunity to help others as a nurse. This money will be used to cover expenses (tuition and housing) for a preparatory course in Canada for the Nursing exam. It is vital that she raise this money. Every day she remains in Tigray, her life is at risk. As her brother, I feel powerless, and wouldn’t ask for money if I thought there was another way.
Birzaf, my sister, was born in Alamata, Tigray in 1997 – the youngest of 4 siblings. She excelled in her studies throughout her life and always knew she wanted to be a nurse. She always enjoyed helping others and knew this was her calling. Our family has been emotionally supportive of her journey but does not have the means for financial support. In addition to the terrible conditions in Ethiopia at this time, my father is battling Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) and most of the financial resources are going towards that.
Currently, the situation in Ethiopia is unimaginable. The war began due to political disagreement between the local and state government and has escalated to the point of racial genocide. By now there are numerous and credible reports of mass killings, rape, famine, and genocide. Hunger and sexual assault are used as weapons of war, war crimes are being committed throughout the region and millions of people are starving, suffering, and displaced. Innocent civilians have nowhere to go and no one is helping them. My sister was in university (the center of armed attacks) right as this started and we did not hear from her for almost 2 months. Miraculously she made it to my family home where she is currently located.
My sister is unable to take the nursing exam because of the war going on in the country and every day she remains, she is at risk. We have searched for alternatives and found a prep course in Toronto Canada that is willing to accept her. In order for her to receive a visa from the Canadian embassy, she must show financial statements that she can pay the cost of tuition and housing. ALL of the money we are fundraising is for tuition and housing. As her brother, living in a different country that will not accept her, I feel powerless. I am doing everything I can to help save my sister, and I am asking for your help to do so. It will provide her with an opportunity to become a nurse –where she can fulfill her calling and help others - and maybe even save her life.
Here are some news articles for reference that discuss the current situation in Ethiopia:
'Practically a genocide': Doctors say rape being used as tool of war in Ethiopia - CNN
The Horrors of the Hidden War: Inside the Tigray conflict in Ethiopia – Channel 4 News
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Ramat Gan, il