to enroll in school has always been a challenge for Tihitna Gosh, i can never have enough money in the house and the desire to educate themselves at war with the resolute opposition of the father believed to be more important to have a job already young rather than studying.
For the first six years or grades (the school in Ethiopia is divided into degrees) failed to have even a minimal support of the family that had allowed her to take lessons, but when the seventh had indicated its intention to continue her training had broken out the problems: her parents had no money needed, and had insisted on finding a job. An idea that just did not like Tihitna, who resigned but with an air in one breath says that he turned to his brother in tears, Bizualem. It was he who originally from woreda Gozamen at that time had already moved into the town of Debre Elias, to help accepting it at home. Unfortunately the economic situation of his brother was no better than that of his parents and he could not afford the cost of her education, then advised her to work as a maid, a woman of full-time service for a family. Tihitna was not enthusiastic about this solution, but was equally aware that there were no alternatives: if he did not want to leave the school that was the only way. At first it also seemed to have found a good agreement with the employers: "They agreed to let the time to take lessons, they would cover my expenses and I School I dealt with the household chores without getting money, "says with a smile, then pauses and her face becomes serious in a moment. "It was very difficult to live this way - continues with his head down -: work before and after school, and then find time to study well. I had to look at the children of the owners, one of only six months, prepare enjera (a sort of spongy bread that accompanies every course in Ethiopia) and tella (local beer) and take care of the house. I also had to fetch water, the source was very far from home and this was the thing he hated more, pitchers have to walk a lot with heavy water. " But Tihitna clenched his teeth and tried to resist, at least up to what she was allowed to go to school at some point, however, employers decided to no longer covers its costs and the demand for a new notebook for exercises strongly opposed, arguing that she was there to care for their children and not to study. Recalling those days, the face becomes tense, the disappointment of those attitudes still burns within her and the story becomes agitated. But she had no means to defend themselves, the only thing he could do was leave the house and ask them to help his brother. So he did and for a while 'stood by him. Fortunately the school was almost over and the short time he stopped at home her, Bizualem managed to help her. No more lessons, the girl returned home, where in the meantime the situation had fallen: in fact the parents had divorced and the head of the family had gone to live elsewhere.
At that point, however, the mother felt free to satisfy the dreams of her daughter's education: first borrowed money from neighbors, then sold a cow to return the money and have enough for the young . Meanwhile Tihitna did not stay to watch, is not one to stand with folded hands: so he gave him to do to earn something, working every day as a bricklayer in the construction of buildings. Many women and girls in Ethiopia used in construction sites, public and private. For students it is often the only way to have enough money to pay for school. "earning 15 ETB per day, we were building a building. It was very tiring - says gazing upward -. When you do these works have consistently hands were hurting and then I was always afraid of falling. Good, in this type of employment, there will not be working that night, while I was a few domestic duties kept me busy until late hours ". Looking back on those days also points out that accidents were frequent, and no wonder having a total lack of respect of measures security. You work on those sites without suits, the girls with a skirt, without gloves, helmets or other protective systems. She also once had an accident : "I did hurt my wrist - said touching his arm and his right hand -, but I could not stop because they would lose their jobs. I had a great pain but I had to resist ", looking down states adding that he had no contract to protect it.
was through those summer jobs in the construction of buildings and roads and help the mother and brother Tihitna that he could continue his education. He was also able to rent a small room in town for a few periods. During the months of lessons will be devoted only to the study, while in summer regularly sought a place in the yards. At one point the father decided to give him a little help, although he was not willing to cover all expenses. Those years, however, were not easy for her summer working only money available during the year were always very few and the many sacrifices to do. Often not enough food for lunch and could eat only breakfast and dinner. It was still extremely poor diet: meat rarely and often even the enjera, despite being one of the main foods of the Ethiopian diet. Purtroppo, in questa già precaria e delicata situazione, sopraggiunse un altro drammatico evento, fonte di dolore e disorientamento per la ragazza: mentre frequentava il nono anno di scuola la madre si ammalò gravemente, fu ricoverata in ospedale ma inutilmente e in poco tempo morì. Una disgrazia per Tihitna e i suoi fratelli, un colpo duro da superare. La ragazza per un mese smise di seguire le lezioni e se ne tornò nel suo kebele d’origine, con il rischio di perdere un anno. Dopo quella grande perdita lei, il fratello e la sorella cominciarono a vivere tutti insieme, in condizioni sempre più precarie. Dopo il matrimonio del ragazzo, però, la situazione si complicò ulteriormente perché la moglie non vedeva di buon occhio the presence in the house of the sisters of her husband. The tension was always high, until it became unbearable, so much so the smallest to look elsewhere for work as a housemaid. "I had been through a lot already and I was ready to endure the rude behavior of my brother's wife, but she was very young and could not take it. So he went and got a job as a maid in a house, but I do not know where. Since then I've had no contact with her " says summarily without dwelling on details and on his feelings.
Un anno fa è arrivato il momento di scegliere la scuola, dopo la formazione di base: a quel punto Tihitna si è buttata su un istituto tecnico e sull’indirizzo ‘Machining’ (Meccanica). Avrebbe voluto seguire un corso per infermiera ma quel genere di scuole costano troppo e lei non ha i soldi sufficienti: “Gli indirizzi tecnici sono più economici e questo che faccio io dura solo due anni, perciò l’ho scelto – puntualizza sorridendo dolcemente -. Non avrei potuto permettermi una scuola più costosa o la cui durata fosse di tre anni” . Pur di studiare si è accontenta dell’unico corso che le era accessibile anche se, rivela nascondendo vergognosamente il volto dietro le mani, non sa esattamente quale professione potrebbe fare da grande dopo tali studi. Nonostante tutto questo non la scoraggia poi molto e lei una sorta di progetto per il suo futuro in mente già ce l’ha, e anche abbastanza chiaro: “Vorrei lavorare per un ufficio governativo o una ditta privata, non importa molto il settore, e con i soldi che guadagnerei mi pagherei un corso serale che mi piace di più” . Non è una sprovveduta e sa bene che tutto ciò non è semplice da realizzare, ma la voglia è grande e il difficile passato non ha scalfito il suo ottimismo. È veramente convinta di voler metter in pratica questa idea, lavorare e studiare ciò che le piace, when Parliament is sending out a great strength of character that leads us to think that the can actually do.
Camilla Corradini (CVM Volunteer in Ethiopia)
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