You are hope
Tanja’s mother moved from the countryside to Addis Ababa to earn money for her family. Her dream of big city life and its job opportunities quickly became a nightmare: she could not find work, had no roof over her head and became pregnant by a man who left her soon afterwards. Shortly before Tanja’s birth, she finally found somewhere to stay: a corrugated iron hut with plastic sheeting for walls. Having lost all hope for herself, she gave her daughter a name meaning “you are hope” in Amharic, the local language.
Life has changed completely for both mother and daughter, since Bright Future took Tanja under their wing a few years ago,Tanja was able to attend kindergarten and then school from the very beginning. Today, she is rarely ill and her recurring severe tonsillitis has been cured now she has finally received medical treatment. Due to her own health problems, her mother could not always manage her work as a thread winder, which meant the family often had no money for food. The grain and oil which they receive every three months from Bright Future are essential to their survival. A year ago, Tanja’s mother was diagnosed with cancer. The Bright Future team looks after her by taking her to doctor and hospital appointments, giving advice and being someone to talk to.
Tanja is now in the second grade and wants to be a pilot one day. She likes daydreaming and playing, which is probably why her grades aren’t particularly good! But she melts people’s hearts as soon as she smiles and her innocent looks belie a love of mischief.
