Gezahegn Abebayehu, aged 13, was born in 2012 in Gorgo, a rural kebele located in Ankober Woreda of North Shoa Zone in the Amhara Region. According to his mother, she first observed signs of severe inflammation in his eyes when he was two years old. Concerned about the seriousness of the condition and the possible risk to his vision, she brought him to Addis Ababa for advanced medical treatment at Minilik II Memorial Hospital.
She explained that the ophthalmologists at the hospital did their best to treat him. Unfortunately, despite continuous efforts and treatment, they could not find a surgical solution to save his vision, and Gezahegn completely lost his sight after two years of consecutive medical care.
After he became blind, his mother kept him at home out of fear for his safety, as the natural environment surrounding their village was rugged, inaccessible, and characterized by steep cliffs. However, Gezahegn frequently expressed his desire to leave the house, interact with others, and play with his non-disabled peers.
Finally, in 2021, his mother decided to separate from her husband and move to Debrebirihan Town in search of better opportunities and a safer environment for her beloved blind child.
W/ro Beletish Girma, the mother of Gezahegn, reported that during her stay in Debrebirihan Town, she observed blind children, youths, and adults independently moving from place to place using white canes, attending school, and generating income through micro-business activities with the support of HPDO. Inspired by what she witnessed, she interacted with these individuals and came to understand the reasons behind their success. Consequently, she encouraged her son to associate with them and learn from their experiences.
Eventually, in 2022, W/ro Beletish succeeded in enrolling Gezahegn at Zerayakob Primary School so that he could continue his studies alongside other blind students.
According to the regulations of the Amhara Region Education Bureau, blind children are required to attend special classes during pre-primary education and the lower primary grades (1–3). After completing Grade 3 and acquiring essential adaptive skills such as Braille reading and writing, orientation, and mobility skills, they are then integrated into inclusive classroom settings.
Soon after Gezahegn joined Zerayakob Primary School, his mother was advised by SNE teachers to visit the Debrebirihan Branch Office of HPDO, where they met the project coordinator and Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) workers of the organization.
As a result, Gezahegn was registered as one of HPDO’s beneficiaries and received holistic support services, including adaptive educational materials such as Braille paper, slate and stylus, and an abacus; a white cane; school uniforms; and training on daily living skills and assistive technologies. Furthermore, he benefited from human reading and library services facilitated by the organization’s CBR workers.
His mother also testified that she participated in training sessions organized for mothers of children with disabilities, which helped her better understand the potential, capabilities, and human rights of her blind child.
Records maintained by the organization’s CBR workers indicate that during the 2024 and 2025 academic years, Gezahegn effectively attended his studies at the Grade 4 level within an inclusive classroom setting. He has also demonstrated progressive improvement in independent mobility through the use of a white cane and the orientation and mobility skills acquired from training organized by HPDO.
It should be noted that HPDO has been able to provide these holistic rehabilitation services to Gezahegn and his blind peers through the generous financial support of FFVI and Disability Partnership Finland.
