Aynezekhtmom!
Just a little over a year ago Eritreans and friends
of Eritrea were briefed, by Ambassador Girma Asmerom, about one of the most
noble ideas to come from the people of Eritrea - Sponsor a Martyr's Family. The people warmly and enthusiastically
embraced this great program.
The Sponsor a
Martyr's family is a volunteer program that supplements the government's
effort to support the families of Eritrean martyrs. These martyrs unselfishly
gave their dear and precious life to the independence of their beloved country,
Eritrea, and to liberate their people from the yokes of colonial oppression and
suffering under successive brutal Ethiopian regimes. Eritreans today are
enjoying the freedom brought about by the sacrifice of these gallant women and
men. Eritreans everywhere can now talk about their COUNTRY! Eritrea, and display their flag proudly as a result
of the sacrifice paid by their country men/women.
Under
the Sponsor a Martyr's Family program, individuals pledge and commit to sponsor
a Martyr's family for a period of two years. The pledge is for $1 per day paid
in three-month installments ($90 per a 3-month period per sponsored family - to
facilitate the distribution of funds to the families). Once the pledge forms
are turned in and the first installment is paid, sponsors receive the names and
addresses of the families they are sponsoring. The families we are supporting
are needy families from mainly rural areas and have little or no source of
income. These families are facing a future without the loved ones' financial
and moral support. Everyday is a battle for these families. They need and
deserve
our support and encouragement to face any and all hardships. They must
have HOPE - HOPE in the future. It's our obligation to see to it that these
deserving families are taken care of supported. We can not leave the task of taking care of our Martyrs' families
to the government alone. These are our
families, our brothers and sisters, our mothers and fathers. Who among us
would not help his flesh and blood?
Even
though the support time is set at two years, sponsors can opt to continue
supporting the respective families that they are assigned to help. Individual
sponsors can also provide additional support at their own discretion outside of
their commitment. Individuals and groups have gone to Eritrea and visited the
families they are sponsoring and have reported back on the conditions of the
sponsored families and the significance of the Sponsor a Martyr's Family program. The Eritrean Diaspora is going above
and beyond the call of duty. Here are a couple of links to some of the
heart-warming stories coming out of Eritrea-
http://www.shaebia.org/artman/publish/article_3190.html,
http://www.shaebia.org/artman/publish/article_3423.html.
The
average Eritrean citizen has not forgotten those that passed away fighting for
his/her freedom and the families of the fallen heroes know it and appreciate
it. Here is a sampling of what sponsors and the sponsored families are saying
(read the above articles for the full story).
"...The money is not that much, our intentions are to share
our love, concern and bring hope to the families. We need to act as an extended
family and establish good relationship, exchange addresses and write to each
other." Mussie Berhe, a sponsor
I dont have words to express my joy. I consider Mussie as angel
coming from heaven. I will kill a sheep and dress for the holiday. Thank you
and God bless you.
Gabru Kahsay (mother of a fallen hero)- Barentu
I am proud I have a patriotic father and someone like you who
shares his concern and love I was not lucky enough to experience. Hiwet
Gebremikael, 26, a mother of two and the daughter of a martyr
"We are doing this to let them know how much we care and that
we will never forget the sacrifice their sons and daughters made to the
country", Brhane Rufael - a
sponsor
...We will not cry over our lost ones, for they are spiritually
with us. You are holding the stick to keep intact what she had started. Of
course, she is my daughter and by the same token you are my son; she used to do
what you are doing for us now. Solomon Menzing from Hatsina who is a crippled
father of a martyr daughter, Haregu Solomon.
The
price of sponsoring a martyr's family for two years at the cost of $720 USD
doesn't even compare with the sacrifice that was paid and is being paid to
liberate, and defend the STATE of ERITREA. For some of us this amount may
appear to be a little too much. But Let's be honest and break it down - if you
are a coffee drinker, and most of us are, and drink two lattes per day, drink
one. That's a saving of $2.50 at least per day. Now, if we assume that you only
drink latte half the time (per month), that's a saving of $37.50 - this is 25% higher than the amount you would
have paid to sponsor a Martyr's family! We can all make small sacrifices to
support those in need - especially the families of those who died to give every
Eritrean the right to say out loud- MY COUNTRY ERITREA!
Every
one regardless of their political ideology or belief must support this noble
idea. The response to date from Eritreans and friends of Eritrea in Seattle and
other cities in the USA shows the overwhelming support that this noble and
great idea has received. Let's not orphan the Martyr's family! Aynezekhtmom! Let's keep up the good work and tell those brave
souls that we will take care of their families - their mothers, fathers,
children, and other surviving family members will not suffer under our watch.
As concerned Eritreans and friends of Eritrea, this is the least we can do to
keep alive the memories of those who gave us a FREE COUNTRY and the right to
proudly say I AM AN ERITREAN.
The
Seattle area
Sponsor a Martyr's family Coordinating Committee would like to thank
all that responded to this call and encourages others to participate in this
noble and voluntary program. Let your
conscious be your guide.
Eternal
Glory to our Martyrs and victory to the Masses!
Peace
and prosperity to Eritrea and Eritreans!
Abraham
Araya for the Seattle area Sponsor a Martyr's Family Coordinating Committee.
Please
send your comments and/or request for pledge forms to edrcseattle@yahoogroups.com or barkai60@yahoo.com