The Life Story of Haregu Neamin (1920-2025)
- ghebreab
- 6 days ago
- 22 min read
Updated: 15 hours ago
By Aster Isahac (daughter) and Winta Ghebreab (granddaughter), with Haregu's blessing and assistance
Haregu Neamin in nutshell
Born in Arbate Asmara, Eritrea on January 10th, 1920 • Daughter of Neamin Kelib and Dukan Kentiba Bekit • Born to Orthodox Tewahdo parents • Raised as a Protestant by her elder sister and lifelong mentor Tsehaitu Neamin • Grew up during Italian occupation • Lived through colonization, British rule, and Ethiopian occupation • Contributed to the birth of Eritrean nationalism and lived through the independence war • Witnessed the liberation of Eritrea and enjoyed being reunited with her family and friends • Lived a large part of her life in diaspora, wishing to return to her home country • But her love for her child Aster kept her going.
A cherished daughter and sister • A devoted wife • A loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother • A dedicated midwife • A proud Eritrean • A strong woman.
Her given name Haregu Weni means ‘wine branch' • Her father’s name Neamin means ‘we believe.’ • Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren called her 'Adeda'.
Haregu’s Parents
Haregu's father Neamin Kelib was born around 1880 in Adi Qe (suburb of Asmara) and he passed away suddenly in 1929. He fell ill after happily visiting his daughter Demet and his newborn grandson Kahsay. Haregu was only 9 years old then. She recently said: “he died for the love of his family. Neamin was a gentle and loving father, a hardworking, honest, and successful farmer, and a respected community member.” He had 3 siblings: Qeshi Tekliyes, Qeshi Abay and a sister Yihdega.
Haregu's mother Dukan Kentiba Bekit was born around 1884 in Adi Anghoda. She passed away in 1966, when she was 80 years, just before her granddaughter’s (Aster) return from her high school exchange program to the USA. Dukan had about 8 siblings, 5 brothers and 3 sisters. She was much loved by her granddaughter Aster.
Dukan was well known for her generosity, wisdom, and courage. Many people approached her to seek her help and advice. During the Italian occupation she was not afraid to stand up against the Italians. At one incident when Italian soldiers tried to bring all the men in for questioning, she protested their actions. Under her leadership, the wives joined hands, and walked to one of the Italian offices where Dukan complained in front of the administrator. The soldiers tried to silent the women by sweeping their leash in front of them. Being at the front of the group, Dukan was hit while caring baby Haregu on her back. The leash struck the right side of Haregu's nose, causing a cut that started bleeding. Dukan responded by accusing the Italians of slaughtering their children. It surprised the Italians. At that point, they decided to stop their actions. The men were released, and the women returned home.
Haregu was left with a scar under her nose. Later in life, she met 3 sisters who worked at the Italian hospital. They were deaf and spoke in sign language to each other. Their sign name for Haregu was fingerpoint at the scar on the right side of the nose.
Tsehaitu Neamin
Haregu was raised by her older sister Tsehaitu. Tsehaitu was a schoolteacher. When Tsehaitu was a young girl, about 6 years old, she stayed overnight with an acquaintance of her parents, a woman who had no family of her own, to keep her company. One morning the woman went to church without Tsehaitu. When Tsehaitu found out she was left alone, she was so shocked and terrified that, as the story goes, this caused paralysis on one side of her body. This made her unsuitable for marriage according to local culture, even though she was already engaged.
Neamin did not want his daughter to become a dependent. Even though he was Orthodox Tewahdo, he went to the Swedish Evangelical Mission school in Beleza to ask for her admission and told them ‘I am not begging. I am not poor. I will pay you every quarter with grains from my harvest’. People asked him afterwards ‘do you not mind that your daughter will become a protestant?’ But Neamin did not mind at all. He was proud of his two eldest daughters who he saw as equals to his sons. He wanted to give Tsehaitu proper education so that she could live independently, and she did. Tsehaitu became a well-known schoolteacher, first in Beleza and later in Gheshnashim and Asmara. For more than 40 years she taught hundreds of Eritrean children and many of her former students, some of whom became teachers as well, still remember her dearly. Including her granddaughter/ niece Aster Isahac Teweldemedhin. One of her students was Tekie Tesfai, the author of the Advanced Dictionary English- Tigrinya. He said in a Youtube video “Memhir Tsehaitu has taught us everything, to read, to write, geography, everything we needed to know”.
Neamin also did not want his daughter Tsehaitu to remain childless. So, when Haregu was a small girl, she decided that Tsehaitu would raise her. Haregu therefore did not grow up with her parents and siblings in Asmara, but with Tsehaitu. They lived in Beleza, Gheshnashim and later in Geza Kenisha, Asmara.
Haregu’s siblings
Haregu was the 8th of 10 children. Her siblings are (in order of birth) Tsehaitu, Demet, Yihdigho, Hana, Ghetahun, Ilen (then came Haregu), Alem and Woldeghergis. Haregu loved all her siblings, and she was proud of each one of them and their children, but she especially adored Ghetahun. She described him as loving, generous, protective towards family and courageous. He died young after being stomped by a bull. Haregu was very sad when she lost him.
Haregu’s professional life
During Italian colonization Eritreans were allowed to follow primary education until 4th grade only. Growing up with a sister who was a schoolteacher at the Swedish Mission school and who valued education and independence, Haregu had the opportunity to attend primary school in Beleza. And in Asmara she attended nursing school. Haregu loved learning and was grateful to Tsehaitu for the opportunities she received. She was interested in medicine and health. She graduated from nursing school in 1945 with the qualification “good”, after which she practiced midwifery at the main colonial Hospital Regina Elena of Asmara. Of course, Haregu had to be fluent in Italian language to work. Haregu and her colleague friends took much pride in their work and appearance. Not only did they work hard, but they also had fun together. When they were off, they would sometimes visit places. They were always well dressed and elegant. After she got married, she stopped working as a midwife.
Life under colonial rule was not easy. To get to work from Geza Kenisha, Haregu walked more than 10 km one way every day. She hardly ever took the bus, but when she did, she had to sit at the back of the bus because of the Italian colonial segregation policy: front seats were reserved for Italians only. Italians and Eritrean were not allowed to marry at the time, even though Eritrean women such as one of Haregu’s friends were courted by Italian men. Reminiscing those days one evening with her daughter and granddaughters, Haregu brought up the Italian fascist marching song of 1935 “un faccetta nera” (pretty black face); a popular song during the second Italio-Ethiopian war. Haregu remembered the lyrics and started to sing along the tune. Despite being treated as second class citizen, student, and woman by the Italians, Haregu enjoyed learning from the Italian medical staff.
Haregu’s friends
Haregu had several friends she was very close with. She thought dearly of them. Some of her friends were also her colleagues at the hospital.
Haregu’s marriage
Haregu married Isahac Tewoldemedhin in 1945, in the presence of her family and friends. Isahac was, already at the time of their marriage, a well-known Eritrean. He was a famous publicist, teacher and educator and a person full of educative humor. He worked for the Ministry of Education as a school inspector. Isahac was also an active member of the Evangelical Church in Asmara. He was known as memhir (educator) Isahac Teweldemedhin.
Even though there was a 30-year age difference between Haregu and Isahac, there was love, care and mutual respect in their marriage. They both felt great responsibility towards family, community, and country, and shared the desire to improve health and education standards. Haregu understood the importance of Isahac’s work and mission in life and supported him in any way she could. She was a proud wife and always spoke highly of Isahac. After his death, she enjoyed relaying stories about him.
When Haregu was a small child living with her parents, she was, as traditionally was common, engaged to another boy. Later as a young girl in Beleza, Haregu had seen Isahac at her school during one of his work visits as a school inspector. Never did she imagine that one day, she would marry Isahac.
Isahac Teweldemedhin
Isahac, born on August 27th, 1889, in Ghelab was son of Pastor Teweldemedhin Gebremedhin - who studied Theology in Sweden from about 1883 to 1887 and was one of the founders of the Evangelical Churches in Eritrea - and Ametu, the daughter of Pastor Zeratsion also a Protestant theologist. He was the oldest son in a family of six. He had two sisters - Regbu and Elisabeth - and one brother Ephrem, who became a civil servant and diplomat under the regime of Emperor Haile Sellassie Ist of Ethiopia as well as the first Ethiopian Ambassador to the UN.
Isahac was educated at the schools of the Swedish Evangelical Missions (SEM) in Gheleb and Asmara. In 1913, he continued his higher education at the American University in Beiruth and later in Florence, Italy. Coming back to Eritrea from his studies abroad, he started teaching at the Swedish Evangelical Mission schools in Eritrea until the colonial government of Italy, shut down all SEM schools. At this time, Isahac moved to a small town called Merara and to earn his living he bought a piece of land and became an entrepreneur. This was during World War II.
In post War Eritrea, during the British Occupation, Major Kinneston Snell became the Head of Education in Eritrea. After hearing about Isahac’s competency as one of the foremost educated Eritrean he went to Merara to meet and ask Isahac’s assistance to reorganize the educational system in Eritrea. Isahac then returned to Asmara and while teaching, and writing issues related to pedagogy in the Tigrigna (Eritrean) language he also played a major role in recruiting and training elementary school teachers in Eritrea with heart and soul. Isahac began writing articles, sayings, stories etc., and published the first book of arithmetic in Tigrigna. Isahac initiated and promoted the first Girls’ school in Asmara in 1944, Eritrea as well as in some other villages. He was also one of the active members in the establishment of Middle School in Asmara. In the 1950’s, after Major Snell, left Eritrea, Isahac became the Head of Education in Eritrea, and he worked with heart and soul to promote education throughout Eritrea. Remote villages he could not reach by car, he visited on a donkey.
Isahac Teweldemedhin passed away on July 8th, 1978, in Asmara after a short period of illness. “Isahac Teweldemedhin Secondary School” in Asmara is named after him.
Haregu’s and Isahac’s family
Haregu and Isahac have one daughter, Aster Isahac, born on October 8th, 1946. Prior to his marriage to Haregu, Isahac was married to Liya Zerezgi. She died mid 1920’s. Isahac and Liya have 10 children. Mengistu, Sahlu, Mesgina, Fetwi, Bahgu, Bereket, Afewerki, Mehret, Paulos, and Abeba. Aster was thus Isahac’s 11th child.
Motherhood
Haregu and Isahac raised their daughter Aster in Geza Kenisha on love and positive- enforcement. They valued education, discipline,ambition, responsibility, and humility. Of course, they also valued religion; the church played a big role in their lives. Aster even learned to play the orgel, until it was sent to Shima Negus where Ephrem had built a church and school for the village. Besides formal education, Haregu taught Aster embroidery, sewing and weaving baskets. Aster always met their expectations. Aster performed well at school and often came first in class. Haregu and Isahac were proud of her. They liked to treat Aster with nice clothing, shoes, and anything she needed. Aster was always dressed stylish and not only hard working and disciplined, but she was also very affectionate. She loved her mother and father dearly. She loved being surrounded by her family. Her older brothers and sisters were fond of her and kind to her. She had a special bond with her brother Paulos, who unfortunately died at a young age.
Haregu’s life at home
Haregu created a warm and loving environment at home. She was always busy. Hygiene, good, healthy food, and hospitality were important values to Haregu. Haregu and Isahac were like their own parents, forward-thinking.
When Aster, after completing grade 11, was invited to participate in the American Field Service (AFS) secondary school exchange program, they allowed her. Aster travelled to America by boat and was seasick throughout the trip but had a wonderful year in the USA. She completed grade 12 while living with the Salisbury family in Phelps, New York.
During her year away, both of Aster’s grandmothers passed away. After her return, Aster moved to Addis Abeba to study at the University.
Haregu’s social life in Geza Kenisha
Haregu had a busy life, caring for Aster and her large family including her extended family, as well as supporting the work and activities of memhir Isahac. And being active in the church community. Haregu was nonetheless able to develop and maintain several close friendships. The friends she loved and thought dearly of and whom she often talked about are baba Woldeab Woldemariam, adey Simret, adey Iyeru, adey Miraf. Haregu also loved her sister-in-law Haregu, she was a sister and a dear friend to her.
Woldeab Woldemariam (1905 – 1995) was a peer of Tsehaitu, Haregu’s sister and also a teacher for the Swedisch Evangelical Mission. He was a dear friend of both Tsehaitu and Haregu, and quite fond of Haregu. Woldeab, for many ‘the father of Eritrean nationalism’, was also a revolutionary and political leader and after many attacks on his life, he had to flee the country in the 1950’s. After independence, just before his death, Haregu and Woldeab met again after many years.
Family Life in Addis Abeba
During her first year in Addis Abeba, Aster lived at the university dorms. After that, she lived at her older brother Mesgena’s house. Aster enjoyed being part of Mesgena’s family life; both him and his wife Hana were kind and caring towards her and Aster loved spending time with her nieces Hidat and Tsigereda. Aster also enjoyed seeing other relatives such as Bahgu and her husband Gebrehiwet, Fetewi and his wife Genet and their families.
Aster lived in total about 7 years in Addis Abeba. In her 3rd year of studies, she met her husband to be Tesfay Ghebreab. They fell in love and soon after they asked memhir Isahac permission to marry. Before Tesfay even talked to memhir Isahac, Haregu was already informed by someone through her extensive network. She said ‘I liked the boy. I was happy’. It also worked to his advantage that Tesfay’s family originates from the village Kuazen, a neighbour village of Adi Angoda where Haregu had relatives.
In 1971 Haregu’s first grandchild, Mical, was born. In 1973 her grandson Sennay was born. Haregu visited Aster about 3 times in Addis Abeba, for Aster’s graduation and for the baptism of her grandchildren.
Highlights in the life of Haregu
Aster excelled in school year after year, which earned her a scholarship to the USA. This was one of many highights in Haregu's life. Though it broke her heart to see Aster go, Haregu fully supported the exchange, embodying the kind of mother she was – one who gave her child the freedom to fly, to explore the world, no matter how unknown that world was.
Two other highlights in Haregu's life were the wedding of Aster and Tesfai on September 12th, 1970, which took place at Caravel Hotel in Asmara. at that time one of the best hotelst at that time. The second was Aster'sgraduation from Addis Abeba University in 1971. Haregu and Isahac proudly attended the graduation of Aster and fellow students at the Grand Palace. Emperor Haile Selassie presented the degrees to the graduates.
Asmara during the 70s and 80s
In 1974, Aster and Tesfai returned to Asmara. In 1975 Aster’s 3rd child Winta was born. Haregu, Tsehaitu and Tsegai, together with the help of the house maids, took care of the children while Aster and Tesfai were working.
During the 70’s the Eritrean independence struggle gained force. President Mengustu Hailemariam responded by heavily bombing Asmara and other parts of Eritrea. People suspected of supporting resistance where arrested. For this reason, Aster and Tesfai had to leave Asmara in 1979 unexpectedly. As they left in a hurry, the 3 children stayed behind with Haregu and Tsegai for about 3 weeks. The grandmothers, with the help of family members such as Haregu’s sister Alem and sister-in-law Haregu, helped the family flee the country. After a short stay in ‘Meda’ and 3 months in Sudan, the family settled in the Netherlands.
During 1979 and 1983 Haregu was separated from Aster and family, and communication was difficult due to the war. It was a difficult time for everyone. Aster was very worried and prayed every night for everyone’s safety in Asmara. Haregu was lucky to have her siblings and their families (most of them stayed in Eritrea), who were always ready to support her. In 1984 Tesfay’s mother Tsgeai passed away. She got hurt after a fall. Sadly, it was not possible for Aster and Tesfay to attend the funeral. Haregu who had just returned from her visit to the Netherlands was present. She arranged the funeral and burial (in Geza Kenisha).
Left picture: Haregu in the 80’s with family and friends (from left to right): Ruta (Werede’s daughter), Shi’bet (Tsehaitu’s daughter), Haregu, Ieyeru, granddaughter of Meraf, Woldegergis and Meraf. Werede and Tshehaitu are children of Haregu and Woldegergis. Right picture: 3 grandmothers with their grandchildren.
Life in the Netherlands
In 1983 Haregu travelled for the first time to the Netherlands, after a short stay in Addis Abeba with Misgina and his family. After the joyful reunion, Haregu returned to Asmara. Upon her return, she could no longer live in her house in Geza Kenisha which saddened her a lot. During her absence, her dogs also died. Haregu’s second visit took place in 1985 after which she permanently stayed in the Netherlands because she fell ill (pneumonia). Aster and Tesfai, who by then, had received the Dutch nationality, applied nationality for Haregu as well.
In the Netherlands Haregu helped raising her 3 grandchildren while Aster and Tesfay were working. She brought Winta to school when Aster and Tesfai couldn’t. She helped Aster at home in all aspects especially in the kitchen cooking delicious Eritrean and Italian dishes such as beef stews and gnocchi. Her favorite herb was rosemary. For visitors and special occasions, she made typical Eritrean dishes and drinks such as ‘Mes’ and ‘Suwa’.
In her free time, Haregu loved watching nature documentaries, reading books and newspapers, following the news, and discussing world events. She also loved reading the bible and singing from her psalm books. Her grandchildren learned a lot from Haregu, most importantly, she passed on her Eritrean Tigrinya heritage. Thanks to her, they did not lose their native tongue Tigrinya. And with her stories they learned a lot about Eritrean culture and history, such as the norms and values, her life as a young girl, and experiences of their grandfather and historic figures such as Woldeab Woldemariam. Haregu was also a skilled sewer. She kept herself busy sewing. With and without Aster’s help, she sewed dresses for herself and her granddaughters. One of the dresses she sewed, is a white dress in which she wanted to be buried.
While living in the Netherlands Haregu travelled to several places. She visited Abeba Isahac in New York, Seble Ephrem in London and Winta in Paris, Tsehaitu and Afomia Weldegergis in Germany. Many family members visited Haregu in the Netherlands, like her nieces Tsehaitu and Afomia, Tsigereda Misgina, Gidey Gebre.
Haregu returned to Asmara in 1993 as soon as it was liberated and possible to travel freely to Eritrea. For many years, until 2018 (and 98 years of age) Haregu travelled back and forth to Asmara, staying there for longer periods. Most of the time, accompanied by Tesfay because Aster was still working then; she joined them during her holidays. During their visits, they first stayed in the apartment ‘Foto Lucas’, opposite ‘Mesgid Aslam’ one of the biggest mosque in Asmara. Later they stayed at the new house that Aster and Tesfay built for themselves, their children and Haregu. Her last visit to Eritrea was in 2018. Because of health concerns, it was no longer possible to stay there for her.
Haregu was happy and in her element when she was back home. She was busy visiting relatives and friends, taking care of people in need, going to church, cooking, organizing things such as reunions.
Graduation parties, weddings, and many anniversaries
Haregu attended graduation parties, weddings, and many anniversaries, including Aster and Tesfay’s 40th and 50th wedding anniversary; the wedding of her grandchildren Sennay and Bet-El Teklemariam in Asmara in 2000, and Winta and Rajan Shah in Narnia, Italy, in 2008.
Grandchildren and Greatgrandchildren
In 2001, her first greatgrandchild Noa was born. She had in total 8 greatgrandchildren, in order of birth: Iyoas, Elnathan, Eliab, Iyoab, Mohan, Eliana and Milena. Haregu took care of them when they visited or had sleepovers. Her bedroom was their favorite place to play. She loved everything about them, and was always very patient, expect when they messed up her bed! That was the only thing that could make her upset.
Celebrating a century of life
In 2020, Haregu celebrated her 100th birthday with her family at home, with dinner and live music from Mical’s good friend Helène Dongelmans and her band.
Upon reaching 100 years, the mayor of Capelle aan den IJssel visited Haregu yearly with flowers and cake. The first visit took place in 2021 due to the COVID lockdown in 2020. Haregu appreciated the visit and respect they mayor paid her. The mayor had the same posture and distinguished look as Isahac, so she was impressed by him. When the mayor left, he said he would visit her again for her 101st birthday, to which Hargeu wittingly responded: “So now you and God are competing for my next birthday celebration”.
Haregu also received quite some attention from journalists. The local paper of Capelle aan den IJssel as well as the national paper NRC published articles about her life.
Sennay’s inauguration
Another great highlight in her life was her Sennay’s professorial inauguration at the University of Amsterdam on December 15th, 2023. Just after her 103rd birthday, she asked Sennay if he could give his inaugural speech soon, because, she said wittily: 'then I have something to report to your ancestors up there.' At the age of 103, almost 104, she sat at the front row listening to his inauguration which he devoted to her. To her great surprise, she saw herself on a large screen reading the newspaper. In his inauguration, Sennay expressed his gratitude to her, and her lifelong curious mind and positive influence, as well his grandfather(s) exemplary life.
Celebrating 105th birthday
On her 105th birthday, Haregu received a visit from the new mayor of Capelle aan den IJssel, Joost Manusama. He came bringing flowers and cake, and ended up staying much longer than expected because of the lively conversation about growing up in the diaspora and life as migrants in the Netherlands. Before leaving, the mayor noted that Haregu was not the oldest resident of Capelle aan den IJssel. In fact, he said with a smile, she was still relatively young, as the oldest resident is 110 years old.
Life in diaspora
At the age of 105, Haregu was still full of life. But Haregu missed Asmara. She missed her family, her house in Geza Kenisha and her new home and her church. She missed being active in her community and her social life with friends. Because Haregu never intended to permanently stay in the Netherlands, she never took language classes. At the age of 100 yrs, she expressed regrets about not taking those lessons at the age of 63 when she first came to Holland. Especially in the last years of her lives, living a life in diaspora frustrated her utterly. In 2024, Haregu started to show the first signs of dementia. Nonetheless her memory was still very strong. Haregu contributed to this book, written by her daughter Aster and granddaughter Winta, with her photographic memory, her stories and her great sense of humour.
Haregu Neamin
Was fond of the colors pink and light blue • Loved parfum and flowers • Loved seeing things organized and neat • Enjoyed reading books, newspapers and discussing world events • Got deep satisfaction from reading the bible and singing from her psalm books • Was hospitable, humble and generous • Wanted people to celebrate her life, not mourn her death • Wanted to be buried in white • Wished for everyone to have a daughter, which she sees as the greatest gift in life.
Haregu passed away peacefully on April 15, 2025, surrounded by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Church service and funeral
Haregu passed away peacefully on April 15, 2025, surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her funeral service took place on April 22 at the Protestant Church "De Hoeksteen" in Capelle aan den IJssel — the same church she attended in the 1980s alongside her children and grandchildren.
Haregu would have liked her final resting place to be in Eritrea - next to her late husband, Memhir Isahac Teweldemedhin. Unfortunately, the circumstances do not allow for that. She is laid to rest at Schollevaar Cemetery in Capelle aan den IJssel.
The speech delivered by Haregu's niece Tsehaitu Weldeghergisch during funeral service is below.:
ክቡራትን ክቡራንን ስድራቤትን ፈተውትን።
ብመጀመርያ ካብ ሙሉኣት ስድራቤት ምውቕ ናይ ክብሪ ሰላምታናንዓኹምን ንዓኽንን ።
ቀጺልና ሓጻር ለበዋ ኣዴና ሓረጉ ንዓባይን፣ ዓባይ ዓባይን ዝበቕዐት፣ዝገደፈትልና ቃላ፣ ብሞተይ ክትሓዝኑ ዘይኮነስ ፣ ኣምላኽ ንዝሃበኒ ነዊሕዕድመ ከተብዕልዎ እየ ዝደሊ። ከምኡውን ትምኒተይ ብጸሊም ዘይኮነስጻዕዳ ተኸዲንኩም ሓመድ ኣዳም ከተልብሱኒ እዩ ትምኒተይ ብዝብልመደምደምታ ትዓጹ ።
ታሪኽ ሂወታ ናይ ኣዴና ሓሪጉ ። ብ 10 ጥሪ 1920 ኣብ ዓዳ ኣርባዕተ ኣስመራ ካብ ኣቦኣ ንኣምን ከሊብን ካብኣዲኣ ዱኳን ከንቲባ በኺትን ተወሊዳ ። ንስድርኣ ካብ 10 ውሉዳቶምመበል ሻምነይቲ ኮይና ፣ ሕጒስትን ተጻዋቲትን ከም ዝነበረት ይንገረላ ።
ኣዴና ሓረጉ ኣብ ቀጻሊ ሂወታ ለዋህን ብዓል ትሕልና ኮይና ኣብ ልዕሊደቂሰባት ብዝነበራ ክብርን ርህራሄን ፍቕርን ትልለ ኔራ ።
ኣቦኣ ንኣምን ንጡፍን ሓያልን ሎዋህን ሕቡን ሓረስታይ ከም ዝነበረተዕልለሉ ፣ ኣብቲ ግዜ ልሙድ ዘይነበረ ውን ፍቕርን እምነትን ኣብትምህርቲ ከም ዝነበሮ ተብርህ ። ነዚ ድልየቱ ንሱ ዘይረኸቦ ኽኣ በታ ቦዂሪጓሉ መምህር ጻሃይቱ ድሕሪ ትምህርታ ን 37 ዓመት ኣብ ቤት ትምህርቲገዛኸንሻ መምህር ኮይና ዘገልገለት ንትምኒቱ ከም ዝከኦ ነቶም ዝቀጸልናኩልና ዎሎዶ ካበይ ከም ዝተበገሰ ውን ኣብሪሃትልና ። ካብዚዝተበሰ ኸኣኣዴና መምህር ጻሃይቱ (ኣዳዳ) ንኣዴና ሓረጉ ንእሽቶይ ሓፍታ ብዕቱብነትትምህርታ ክትውድእ ከም ዘለዋ ጌራ፣ ድሕሪ ትምህርቲ ምውድኣ ኸኣ ነቲኣብ ሂወታ ሙሉእ ርእሰ ምትእምማን ዘሕደረላ ፍረ ትምህርታ ፣ ልክዕከምቲ ናታ ኣብ ናይ ስራሕ ዓለም ክትነጥፍ ህዝባ ክትሕግዝ ከም ዘሎዋኣእሚና ኣበገሰታ።
እንበኣር ብምባል ኣዴና ሓረጉ ብትብዓት ኣብ ረጂና ኤለና ሆስፒታልኣስመራ ከም ነርስ መወለዳን ( መሕረሲት) ምስ ተመረቐት ነብስጾራት ኣብግዜ ሕርሰን ብሕልናዊ ርህራሄ ብምትሕግጋዝ ኣብ ናይ ስራሕ ዓለምተዋፊራ። ምስኡ ምትሕሓዝ ከኣ ቋንቋ ጣልያን ሙሉእ ብሙሉእክትመልኽ ክኢላ። ኣብ ግዜ ዕብየታ ኽኣ እቲ ምስ መሳርሕታ ዝነበረፍቕራዊ ጽቡቕ ምሕዝነት ክትዝክሮ ኸላ ሙሉእ ሓጎስ ይፈጥረላ ኔሩ ።
ኣዲኣ ወይዘሮ ዱኳን ተባዕ ጓለንስተይቲ እያ ኔራ፣ ሕዛል ኣብ ዝነበረትሉኣዴና ሓረጉ ኣብ ዝባና ተሰኪማ ፣ ብሓደ ምስ ጓላ መምህር ጻሃይቱ ኮይነን እንታይ ንግበር ንግዱድ ዕስክርና ናይ ጣልያን ብዝብል ተማኺረንብመምህር ጻሃይቱ ምስ ብጾታ ዝወሰኻሉ ሓሳብ ተደጋጊፈን ብሓባርተማሃሮኣ ሰሪዓ ዕንባባ ኣብ የእዳዎም ኣትሒዛ እናዘመሩ ምስ ክብርቲኣዲኣን ንዕአን ዝመስላ ደቂ ኣንስትዮን ኮይነን ነቶም ብግዱድ ዕስክርናንዝተወስዱወን ሰብኡተን ንኽፍትሑ ጎስጓስ ዘካየደት ኣደ ኮይና እታ ኣብዝባና ዝነበረት ዕሸል (ሕጂ ኣዴና ሓረጉ ) ነዲኣ ዝተባህለ በትሪ ኣብ ህጻንጓላ ዓሊቡ ኣብ ኣፍንጭኣ በሰላ ኣትሪፉላ። ነዚ ኸኣ ብሓበን ተዕልለሉ ኔራ።
ኣዴና ሓረጉ ንኣምን ምስ መምህር ኢሳቕ ተወልደመድህን ቃል ኪዳንድሕሪ ምእሳሮም ንጓሎም ኣስቴር ወለዱ። ሓዳሮም ኣብ ፍቕርን እምነትንዝተሞርኮሰ ኮይኑ፣ ንኣስቴር ብስነምግባርን ብዲስፕሊንን ክትዓቢኣኽኢሉዋ ። መምህር ኢሳቕ ኣብ ስርዓተ ትምህርቲ ኤርትራ ዓቢ ተራዝተጻወቱ ኮይኖም ንኣስቴር ውን ብግቡእ ትምህርታ ተኻታቲላ ክትዕወትኣታባቢዑዋ።
ኣስቴር ካብዚ ብዝተበገሰ ውን ናብ መንግስታት ኣሜሪካ ከይዳ ክትምሃርዕድል ረኸበት ። ኣስቴር ነዲኣ ሓረጉ እንኮ ውላዳ ከም ምዃና እሞ ተማሂራኣብ ጽቡቕ ደረጃ ንኽትበጽሓላ መሪቓ ኣፋነወታ ።
ኣስቴር ካብ ኣሜሪካ ምስ ተመልሰት ኣብ ኣዲስ ኣበባ ዩኒቨሪሲቲ እንዳተማህረት ከላ ምስ በዓልቤታ ተስፋይ ተላለየት እሞ ነዲኣ ሓረጉን ንክቡርወላዲኣ መምህር ኢሳቕን ምስ ሓበረቶም ብሓጎስ ተቐበልዎ። ብግቡእ ኣብቃል ኪዳን ውን ኣብጽሕዎም። ተስፋይን ኣስቴርን ጥጡሕ ናብራተኺሎም ስጋብ ሕጂ ከም ማይን ጸባን ኮይኖም ብስምምዕ ንወላዲቶምሓረጉ ብቃል ክትረኽበሉ ዘይክኣል ኣኽቢሮማን ሓቚፎማን ሓብሒቦማንእዮም። ንተስፋይ ኣደና ሓረጉ ከም ሰብኣይ ጓላ ጥራይ ዘይኮነስ፣ ካብ ልክዕንላዕሊ እተፍቅሮ ወዳ እዩ ።
ኣደና ሓረጉ ኣብ ስደታ ደኺመ ከይበለት ንደቂ ጓላ ሚካል ሰናይ ዊንታ ቋንቋትግርኟ እንዳመሃረት ኣታዓብያቶም ፣ መርዕኦም ውን ምስ ዓቢ ሓጎስበብግዝይኦም ኣጸንቢላቶ ።
ቀጺላ ኸኣ ምስ ካብ ደቂ ጓላ ዝተወልዱ ደቂ ደቂ ጓላ ኖዋ ፣ ኢዮኣስ ፣ኤልናታን ፣ ኤልያብ ፣ ኢዮኣብ ፣ ሞሃን ፣ ኤልያናን ፣ ሚለናን ብዝበለጸንዝማሞቐን ዝያዳ ፍቕሪ ኣብ ዕድሚኣ ወሲኹላ ፣ ብዝበለጸ ኸኣ ካብዓባዮም ከምቲ ንሳ ትትምነዮ ኣብ ስደቶም ንኽልታኡ ባህሊ ናይ ኤሮጳንኣፍሪቃን ሒዞም ስለዝዓበዩ ብጣዕሚ ሕጉስትን ፣ ሕብንትን ከም ምዃናእያ ተዕልል ኔራ።
ኣደና ሓረጉ ጠርናፊት ሙሉእ ስድራቤት እያ ኔራ። ኣብ ሆላንድ ፣ ጀርመን ፣ስዊድን ፣ ኣሜሪካን ኣብ ካልእ ሀገራት ዝርከቡን ደቂ ኣሕዋታን ኣሓታንጽቡቕ ርክብ ኔርዋ ።
ኣዴና ሓረጉ ፈታዊት ሃገራ ስለ ዝነበረት ክሳብ ናይ መወዳእታ ግዜኣ ደሃይዓዲ ክትሰምዕ ደስ ይብላ ኔሩ። ሰላም ክሰፍን ውን ናይ ኩሉ ግዜ ጸሎታ እዩኔሩ ።
ኣዴና ሓረጉ ቁምነገረኛን ተጻዋቲትን እያ ኔራ ። ኣብ መበል 100 ዓመታበዓል ዕለት ልደታ ከተብዕል ከላ ፣ ቶርታ ሒዙ ክበጽሓ ዝመጸ ከንቲባ ካፔለክሰናበታ ከሎ ፣ ንዓመታ ብሰላም የራኽበና ምስ በላ ፣ ንኣምላኽ ክትቃጸጾዲኻ ደሊኻ ብምባል ተጫረቐቶ ።
ኣስቴርን ተስፋይን ብጣዕሚ ኣድካሚ እኳ እንተነበረ ፣ ክሳብ መወዳእታብሙሉእ ድልየት ስጋብ ግዜ ዕረፍታ ብሰላም ብፍቕሪ ዝዓሰሎ መንገድንንኽትዓርፍ ኣሰንዮማ ።
ኩላትና ኣብዚ ተኣኪብና ዞሎና ከምቲ ትምኒታን ሎቦውኣን ክንሓዝንዘይኮንናስ፣ ብሓባር ኲንና ድልየት ኣዴናን ዓባይናን ዓባይ ዓባይና እነኽብራንእንፍቅራን ኣሞናን፣ኣደ ኹሉን ፣ ከነብዕል ኢና ተኣኪብና ዘሎና ።
ነዴና ሓረጉ ብፍርሓት ኣምላኻን ፣ ቁምነገራን ስሓቓን ንዘክራ ። ከምሕልናን ልግስናን ትብዓትን ኣዴና ሓረጉ ንኹልና ይሃበና እንዳበልና ንዛዝሞ።
ንእነፍቅረኪ ኣዴና ሓረጉ ንኣምን ፣ መንግስተሰማያት የዋርስኪ ። ንሙሉእስድራቤታን ፣ ፈተውታን ከኣ ጽንዓት ይሃብ ።
What a blessing of a beautiful historical life story of our beloved grandmother Haregu Neanen. You will be missed by all who knew you, especially Aster & Tesfay and children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Thank you Sennai for taking so much time and attention to share this beautiful life story with us of Grandma Haregu Neanen.
Rest in Enternal Peace🙏🏽❤️🙏🏽