TDVA's Event in Seattle, Report and Pictures
By Abel Ghirmai, on behalf of the organizing committee
Dec. 21 2007
On behalf of the TDVA and the organizing committee, please accept our profound gratitude Washingtonians (Washington State- that is) for the generous donation in support of our disabled veterans of war & heroes.
We are elated to announce that our compassionate residents of Seattle and surrounding areas raised over $40,000, where over 350 individuals attended. Thanks to the support from our kind-hearted individuals like you, TDVA will strive to build better lives for our beloved country's disabled veterans and their families so that they may live as normally and as comfortably as possible. We would like also to extend our humble appreciation to the following organizations and individuals:
- Tigrai Community Association of Seattle, WA
- Tigrai Women Association of Seattle, WA
- UTNA ( Seattle Branch)
- Tigrai Development Association (TDA)
- Tigrai schools Alumni Associations
- Aiga forum, Tigrai online, Hmbasha, and Ethio-Obsever web sites for their diligent work and posting the event announcement.
- The talented musical performers who flew over 2000 miles to volunteer and lend their talents, the one and only Mr. Aziz Hagos and Kibrom Berhe
- Our very own artists from Seattle, WA Mr. Berhane Haile and Mulu Hailu.
We were also honored with the presence of Hon. Asmelash W/silsassie (Aba Nebso), Hon. Alem G/meskel (Wedi Ala), and Hon. Atsbeha Aregawi Our respected guests were elated to meet many supporters and spend time with their former comrades. Some supporters did also asked thought provocative but genuine and legitimate questions. Overall the our guests conveyed the following key messages:
- The potential for self-help exists in every individual irrespective of disability.
- TDVA is an organization run by self-motivated disabled persons to enable disabled peers in Ethiopia, specifically in Tigrai to become similarly self-motivated, and self-reliant.
- Your generosity and support will enable our disabled heroes to live as equal members of the wider community.
- Our disabled veterans do not soley rely on government assistance as the government and other institutions such as EFFORT had done their best to accommodate them.
- Most of our disabled veterans are self-reliant but disadvantaged due to aging, social, and physical barriers. They are seeking assistance from good smartens like residents of Seattle to overcome those barriers so that they may lead productive lives as full citizens.
Thank you for your continued support,
Abel Ghirmai, on behalf of the organizing committee
"To be able under all circumstances to practice five (5) things constitutes perfect virtue; these five things are gravity, GENEROSITY of soul, sincerity, earnestness, and kindness." Confucius ( BC 551- 479)
