Kokeb Dejenie was born in 1999 in a peasant village called Chefie Tomsa, located in Moret-Ina Jiru District of North Shoa Zone in the Amhara Region. She was the only daughter among eight siblings. Therefore, the birth of a daughter brought great joy to her parents, especially as she was the fifth child in the family. Kokeb reported that, as the only daughter, she received special love and care from both her parents and siblings. 

In 2009, she was admitted to a nearby primary school situated in the small town of Jihur. This opportunity was made possible through the commitment of her parents, who wished to secure a better future for their daughter and protect her from the harsh weather conditions and disease outbreaks common in their home area. 

According to her family’s plan, Kokeb successfully completed her primary and lower secondary education at Jihur Primary and Secondary School. After obtaining a passing score on the Grade 10 National Examination, which qualified her to continue her education at diploma level, she joined Debrebirihan Teachers Training College in 2022. 

Unfortunately, while she was a third-year student, she was involved in a serious car accident that caused severe damage to her upper limbs and abdominal region. 

Due to the severity of the accident, Kokeb underwent advanced medical treatment for nearly one year at Black Lion and Saint Paul Hospitals in Addis Ababa. However, despite the prolonged treatment, she permanently lost the functionality of her upper limbs, which shattered her hopes for the future. 

Kokeb explained that although she eventually returned home to begin a new life with her family after completing her medical treatment, she faced a difficult and emotionally distressing situation. The deep frustration, psychological shock, and continuous grief experienced by her mother negatively affected the family environment and gradually disturbed Kokeb’s emotional wellbeing and peace of mind. 

She further reported that witnessing her mother’s daily sorrow and lamentation over her impairment compelled her to make a difficult decision: to leave home and move to Debrebirihan town in search of emotional relief by living with relatives. Unfortunately, her relatives informed her that they could not accommodate her indefinitely without a meaningful source of livelihood, as she was unemployed and dependent on others. 

Consequently, Kokeb sought advice and support from her former teachers at Debrebirihan Teachers Training College by explaining her painful situation and challenges. In response, the teachers contributed financial support and facilitated her access to the holistic rehabilitation services provided by HPDO. 

Kokeb reported that she received rehabilitation services such as counseling and training tailored to her specific situation. She further explained the support she received from the organization, stating: 

“The CBR workers of HPDO used professional and supportive approaches to help me overcome my psychological distress and rebuild my self-esteem and self-confidence. They organized field visits that enabled me to meet persons with disabilities who were successfully engaged in income-generating activities. I was inspired by their experiences and witnessed how they overcame the multiple challenges caused by impairment, discrimination, and lack of opportunities in education, vocational training, and employment.” 

Kokeb further explained that, following significant improvement in her psychological wellbeing, she was included in HPDO’s economic empowerment program. Through this program, she received training in basic business skills along with start-up capital support. 

Currently, she is engaged in a micro-business activity based on her interests, particularly in supplying animal fodder, while also practicing regular saving with the ambition of expanding her business in the near future. 

Thanks to the generous financial support of All We Can, Kokeb has become successful in her business engagement and now earns her own income, enabling her to cover her essential living expenses, including house rent. 

Finally, Kokeb stated: “Currently, my concern is no longer about my impairment; rather, my focus is on how to achieve meaningful and remarkable change in my life.”