A former sponsored child in Ethiopia inspires generations through art and mentorship
Alemnesh Betru, 45, drew so many pictures for her sponsors while living at SOS Children’s Villages in Harar, Ethiopia, that she developed a love of art. Now she has made a career out of it. Alemnesh is an arts teacher at the SOS Children's Villages Primary School in Harar. She has been teaching for the last 25 years.
“I have decided to stay this long because I consider myself a mother to these children. I am also their elder sister and a role model,” says Alemnesh. “I want to serve the children from SOS families, they are my family. I am serving my family. I have never thought of leaving because I have a stake in shaping my SOS brothers and sisters. I feel a responsibility towards them,” she says.
“I let the children express themselves through art. Sometimes they draw what I bring to class, sometimes they draw what they want. But I try to show them different aspects of life. I mentor the students, and I help them get better. Those with outstanding talent are celebrated,” she adds.
As an SOS alumna, Alemnesh compares the care system in SOS Children’s Villages during her time and now.
“Life was different when I grew up in my SOS family 37 years ago. Now, children joining the village must be 0-6 years old. I joined when I was older, I was eight, my brother was 12, and my sister was 10 years old. We joined after my mother died. Being eight, I knew my mother very well, so it was hard to acknowledge that my SOS mother was my new mother. But after some years, I was able to call her ‘mum’. She is retired now, and I have a good relationship with her. I visit her during the summer together with my three children. I have told my children that she is their grandmother.”
Tears well up in her eyes when she talks about her experience in her SOS family. It is an emotional topic for her.
“When I was a child, the SOS Children’s Village did not have a school, so I was enrolled in a private facility. I was expelled one day due to disciplinary issues. Those were hard times, but my SOS mother stuck with me, she struggled with me, and she made sure I returned and stayed in school. Then, as a young person, after I finished grade 10, I refused to join grade 11 because I did not want to lose my friends. And even after several interventions from my SOS mother, I refused to change my mind. Eventually, she made a decision and forced me to go to school. I thank her for that firmness. She is the reason I have a good life.”
“The most important takeaway for me is life skills – I was allowed to do house chores, I learnt sewing, cooking, and I even volunteered in humanitarian interventions. These experiences have shaped who I am today. I am proud to be part of my SOS family. I am a brand ambassador. I advocate everywhere I go. I grew up here, and I identify with SOS Children’s Villages. My children are now students in the SOS Children's Villages Primary School, and they have become a part of this inspiring story.”
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