Hanna
“I will work hard, forget about the past, and try to make a new beginning in life.”
Originally from Dire; a small village about 20 kms. west of Sendafa, Hanna is a 26-year-old woman. She completed eighth grade while attending a local government school. To support herself and her family, she moved to Addis Ababa when she was 18 years old. Living in Addis Ababa was not what she had anticipated. She began working as a maid, but it wasn't easy. She enrolled in night classes. Despite her love of learning, she found it challenging to attend the night lessons because they conclude at 8:00 p.m. and the alley back to her house was frighteningly dark. The money she got as a maid wasn’t enough to support her nor pay for her education. Thus, she became a prostitute with the assumption that commercial sex work would help her get enough money to support herself. She worked as a prostitute for five years. But life as a prostitute was hard and she moved to Sendafa with the aim of spending a few months with her uncle.
Ultimately, she moved out of her uncle's house and resumed working as a commercial sex worker. "I hated those days, I didn't want to do sex for money, I wanted to be loved and have a family, but I had no means of gaining enough income to support myself. I never enjoyed nor wanted that terrible life, but what can I do? Nobody loved nor cared for me. I had no choice but to work and live as a prostitute”. One night she was brutally raped by three men, making her already miserable and difficult existence even more difficult. She suffered not only physically but also mentally and emotionally. She was deeply hurt and injured. She felt useless and hated herself. After the rape she stopped prostitution and made a promise to herself never to return to that lifestyle. After the rape she discovered that she was pregnant and decided to keep the baby. She is now six month pregnant.
"I first met Yenoh Merkeb (Dr Frew and the PAAV team) about one year back. When I told them my story they were happy to include me in their program. They allowed me to participate in their health education programs and started giving me food aid. They helped me buy materials to start my own café and now look at me; I have a small business selling coffee and tea, and I can support myself. They have been very helpful to me. I can now envisage a bright future because of their assistance. I'll not disappoint them but will work tirelessly to change my life and become a businesswoman. I hope there will be a moment when I can let go of the past and serve as an inspiration to others."
