Story

Dear kind-hearted individuals,

I am reaching out today with great humility, in search of help during an extremely difficult and uncertain time in my life. I never imagined I would have to ask for support in such a way, but the situation I find myself in has left me with little choice.

I am a 40-year-old man living in Ethiopia, where I have spent the past nine years working for a welfare organization. This job has been my livelihood, my purpose, and my way of contributing to my community. However, everything changed when my atheism became known to my employer. After engaging in a two-day debate on the subject with my director, where I presented my views in a reasoned and respectful manner, I was informed that the project I was working on had ended. They told me that if new projects came up, I would be contacted. Just like that, I was let go without warning or any clear explanation.

It has been six months since that day, and I have been struggling to make ends meet ever since. I want to be transparent: I do not have a family, wife, or children to support. I live alone, and while this is not a sad story of a dependent family, it is still a story of survival and hardship. The cost of living in Ethiopia has skyrocketed in the past year, and despite my best efforts to stretch my savings and sell personal belongings, I am now in a dire situation.

For the past six months, I have sold my smartphone, my television, and what little I had in savings to cover rent and food. I have been living off a single meal a day for the last two months. This has been incredibly hard, but I have stayed hopeful because I have an opportunity coming up that could get me back on my feet. Unfortunately, it will take a few more months before that opportunity is realized.

Currently, I am three months behind on my rent. My landlord has been extremely patient, giving me time to get back on track. However, I have now been given one week to come up with at least one month’s rent, or I will be evicted. I am terrified of losing my home, as I have no other place to go. Without the financial resources, I would be left with no choice but to sleep on the streets. I have nowhere else to turn.

I have reached out to friends and family, but unfortunately, they too are struggling and cannot provide any assistance. I don’t want to burden anyone with lies or false hope. I am facing the reality of being homeless and hungry unless something changes.

I’ve worked hard my entire life, as a performing artist in TV and radio drama, as well as an IT professional. But ever since my atheism became known to my circle, I have been blacklisted. People I used to work with have distanced themselves, and it has become nearly impossible to find any new opportunities. It’s painful, but I am doing everything I can to rebuild my life.

What I am asking for is help—help with my rent, which amounts to 12,000 Birr ($94) a month. While this may seem like a small sum, it would make all the difference in the world for me. It would give me one more month to continue surviving and working toward the opportunity I know is just around the corner.

I understand that asking for help like this is humbling and embarrassing. But I am out of options. If there is anyone who can offer even a small contribution, I would be forever grateful. Your support would not only provide me with the chance to stay in my home, but it would give me the peace of mind I so desperately need as I work toward regaining stability.

Please, if you can help in any way, it would mean more to me than words can express. I don’t think people should be judged by their beliefs, but by their actions. And I hope that in this moment, my actions to seek help are not seen as weakness but as a necessary step to rebuild my life.

Thank you so much for reading this message, and for considering helping someone in need. If you know anyone who might be able to offer support, please share this message. Every little bit helps.

With gratitude