Renewal of commitment and determination

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Kiros Berhane
Mar 29, 2006

The history of the people of Tigray is, as has always been, on the making. Today, Tigreans all over the world are joining hands to fight and uproot poverty once and for all. Tigrean communities in Boston, Chicago, Bay Area, Atlanta, Las Vegas, Seattle, and Charlotte have come to witness their renewed commitment and determination towards bolstering the development activities of TDA International in general, and the reinstatement of TDA chapters in the USA respectively in particular. Other Tigreans communities in other North American cities are expected to follow suit.

Since the inception of TDA in the USA, Tigreans all over North America have contributed a lot towards the realization of TDA's mission of development in Tigray. To mention some, projects like clean water for Tigray and Lemeat Adi Bedeki Adi (grassroot moment for development) were among some of the past successful mass-participation-achievements made by TDA-NA. Other development efforts of important significance have also been made by many committed Tigreans at individual and/or group levels. The inactivity of TDA, though brief, has, to some extent, hampered the accelerating progress of development activities in Tigray. But, as the proverb goes on to say,' kenbil belemo aifesesen ', TDA has still good opportunities to reorganize itself and move forward afresh. As the situations in our country are dramatically changing in favor of development, it is high time that TDA take the advantage.

In my opinion, the plight of the people of Tigray was a result of a systematic national oppression, exploitation and discrimination by the past regimes of Ethiopia. Because Tigray was systematically ruined, no one could think of any kind of economic development in the region at the time. The notorious dictator, Mengistu Haile Mariam, in his address to the people of Ethiopia (in reference to Tigray) in the late 90's, affirmed the above fact, in his own words he said ' ...the people who could not even meet the expenses of chalk for a school year', '... the people who had none what so ever except for tella (commomly produced drink) factories’.

Even though his evil intention was to insult and blackmail the people of Tigray, he abruptly and paradoxically witnessed the plight of the people of Tigray. So, this time he did not lie--indeed, there was nothing in Tigray. No infrastructure what so ever, no social or financial institution, no agricultural or industrial factories, no,... no, .... nothing at all. If I am not mistaken, leaving aside Addis Ababa with its 3-4 million population but which has amassed every thing, even Gonder, Bahir Dar, Debre Berhan, Nazret, Awasa, Ambo, Diredawa and other cities of Ethiopia have been far better than Tigray, including its capital Mekele, which had nothing except for “tella" factories". The above cities and towns, save Tigray, had modern factories, mechanized agriculture, higher education and health institutions, and good infrastructure, relatively speaking, to say the least.

In contrast, due to the injustices done, poverty in Tigray was so deep-rooted and the people of Tigray were vulnerable to any small-scale natural and man made calamities. Because the people of Tigray was left prey and defenseless to these calamities, hundreds of thousands of Tigreans were displaced and perished. The extent of the hardships and humiliations the people of Tigray went through had no parallel in the history of Ethiopia. Thanks to the relentless struggle and sacrifices paid by the oppressed peoples of Ethiopia in general and the people of Tigray in particular that the intended and gradual extinction of the people of Tigray was halted.

Any ways, if I took readers into memory lane, my intention is not to scratch the scars of the old wounds afflicted against the people of Tigray. To my understanding, and as a responsible citizen, no one has benefited from scratching old wounds. To me, the past is past and I hope a new chapter is unfolding; period. But, at the same time, I feel obliged to make it clears that we should learn from our present and past experiences as well. Even though, the ouster of the Dergue regime is one of the great gains achieved by the people’s of Ethiopia, this by itself does not and will not guarantee our freedom and survival, in its totality, as people. Therefore, I strongly feel that some thing is left unknot--poverty.

As mentioned above, note must be taken that our arch enemy is poverty. As long as poverty exists, no one can be sure of our tomorrow's destiny. The chauvinists of today, vestiges of the old regimes, are trying to turn the wheel of history backward. Following the legacy of their masters, they are blackmailing and insulting the people of Tigray. They tried to exploit poverty as means of intimidation against the freedom and peace loving people of Tigray. Their wicked actions were manifested during the national elections of Ethiopia of last year, in their rally at Addis Ababa with their slogan ' nibret wede kebele Tigre wede Mekele'. But, to their dismay, their futile exercise has become a blessing in disguise; because it woke up a slumbering people to be alert.

Therefore, let us face the realities and come with resolutions. We know that we are still prey to multi-faceted problems of poverty. To combat poverty, it is high time that we Tigreans and other Ethiopians alike all over the world come together and make concerted efforts to bring about rapid and continuous development in our country. We Tigreans abroad need to work hand in hand with the people of Tigray through TDA. In the past, TDA International has proved itself reliable in realizing its mission of development in Tigray. TDA participated in various sectors of development areas. It constructed 83 primary schools, 11 libraries, one high school at kalamino, built 63 rural health clinics, participated in HIV/AID awareness program specially in providing training for health professionals, purchased 25 buses to alleviate the acute transportation shortages in Tigray, organized and made operational Circus Tigray and gave support to other social and cultural activities in Tigray.

TDA's mission of development is still vital in Tigray.

At present, a phenomenon of a renewed spirit and determination for development by Tigreans is unfolding every where in the world. TDA is getting support from Tigrean communities: in Africa, the Middle East, Europe and North America. Tigrean communities in various states of the USA are showing their strong desire to restore TDA and its development activities back to normal. Tigrean communities in Washington Metro Area, Boston, Chicago, Bay Area, Atlanta, Charlotte, and Seattle have shown strong enthusiasm in support of TDA. Some of TDA Chapters in the USA have already pledged to take projects to build primary schools in remote areas of Wolqait, Raya and Tselemti respectively. Other Tigrean communities in other cities vowed to do every thing possible to participate in the development efforts. It is my strong conviction that the rest of us, where ever we are, would organize ourselves and follow suite.

Our past history recalls that we have always been beside the people of Tigray in bad and good times. And in effect, we have scored commendable difference. To accomplish what is left, our efforts the move for change must continue on a daily basis. Our generation must see poverty being crushed. This can only be assured with our renewed commitment and determination for fundamental change of social and economic development.

Kiros Berhane
March 29, 2006

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