MEMORY IS IMMORTAL
A Memorial
blog for
Oda, Walda and Kakuma Refugee Camps in Kenya,
Ethiopians refugees who passed away.
"Although no sculptured marble should rise to their
memory, nor engraved stone bear record of their deeds, yet will
their remembrance be as lasting as the land they honoured."
Author:
Daniel Webster
""Goodbye
seems forever Farewell, the end But in my hearts
a
memory and there you'll always be.""
Author:
Disney's the Fox and the Hound
THURSDAY, 26 JULY 2012
WEDNESDAY, 25 JULY 2012
The choice to leave one’s country, to seek safe haven in a different
place is never an easy one, yet it can sometimes, for a few people, be simple
and at the same time the hardest and most complex decision of their lives – to
stay in a hostile environment is to court death and torture, whereas, to leave
will also have repercussions, where to flee to, how best to go about it? It may
be as simple a decision as whether to live or die?
Most refugees seek sanctuary because of war, others because they belong
to a subculture within a larger state culture – be it religious, tribal,
political or any one of the myriads of reasons why people are singled out the
military group from Ethiopia when they crossed the border
.
For the first of six months there was no water for refugees in the
camp. There was some water, thanks to the Kenyan Government, who supplied water
to the local nomads for themselves and their cattle but we were not allowed to
drink the water before, First in line were the lions and other wild animals, so
that they didn’t attack the cattle’s while they drank, next in line were the cattle’s,
then the locals, we were allowed at last. To get this water we have to sleep at
night by near the water, using our water containers as pillows.
Walda camp was a living nightmare. Typhoid, malaria, malnutrition and
hepatitis were rife and bandits killed many refugees. Between 1991 and 1993
more than 3,700 refugees died. Seventy five percent of them were women and
children. This, of course, was only the recorded figure, which is cross
referenced with the shroud distribution reports. The unaccounted number
refugees who perished in that desert, in the middle of nowhere estimated to be
more than a thousand. It was not unusual to see refugees being transported by
other refugees in wheelbarrows, wrapped in blankets, to a tent marked
‘hospital''
"Grief takes time. You
won't get over it in a month or even a year. In fact, you never get over it.
You blend it into your life, and make it part of you."
Author:
Unknown
We don't have water for about 6 months in Walda Refugee Camp. The only water available is the water tank which is for the local Borena, to use with the chief's permission we are allowed to use the water, first the wild animals, so they don't start killing eating the cattle's, then the cutlet’s, then the local people finally the remaining for us. In order to get this water we have to spend the night by the water tank queuing, sleep
by the water using our jerry cans as a pillow.
This Blogger is as memorial page from their survivor brothers and sisters around the world. From 1991 to the present. We will try to post their photos, stories as available in some cases it might only be first name as the time goes by things become difficult to contemplate. We call up on all Ethiopians who have been in those camps to help us with providing the relevant information and photos regarding our passed away brothers and sisters. It a very difficult experience to go back to dark memory and remember those horrific times. But we have to do it is the right and humanly thing to do.
"I still miss those I loved who are no longer with me but I
find I am grateful for having loved them. The gratitude has finally conquered
the loss."
Author:
Rita Mae Brown
Here is their names and how they
died.
Walda Refugee Camp-
The three young boys who were
slaughtered and tied up and dropped in the camp bush
1) Daniel (second name not found, he
used to work in the camp hospital)
2) Getachew (second name not found
yet)
3)
For this one name not found yet
Kebede (second name not found yet) he
did on suicide after learning his wife left him.
Another guy who was found killed and hanged
by the bridge to make it look like suicide. But a used syringe is found under
his body.
Bely might be died by suicide. (second
name not found)
"I held you in my arms for
9 hours, now I hold you in my heart forever...."
Author:
marissa_july_06
Kauma Refugee camp-
Egigayehu. She was one of a post
secondary student joined Bilate military training camp before immigrate
to Kenya. She was in Kakuma for a short period of time and she left to Uganda.
I heard she passed away in Uganda. Not herself but her husband (Tilahun) passed
away as well in Uganda. Her husband passed away first and she passed away
shortly after
Here is Egigayehu’s photo
She
was known by the name of Z she was living in Kakuma close to the Neyor
community (she was my neighbour). She was not sick that long. Probably she was
sick a couple or triple days then she passed away.
Here
is Z’s photo
Azeb was (late wife of Dagmawe). She passed away
2009. She was nine months pregnant. She passed away on her way to the hospital
to deliver her baby. her death was preventable. She died preventable death.That day was the day
due her baby, but she couldn't reach to the hospital on time because of
lack of transportation in Kakuma.
Here
is Azeb’s photo
Mihiret Kinfu died in sudden illness,
in Nairobi, his body was transported to Kakuma camp burial.
Dinkayehu Gaddissa, passed away in 1996
being ill in Malaria.
Mamush Dadi
Siyum Gudeta died in 2011. Siyum has
served the Ethiopian Refugee community Library, as a Chief Librarian by as a guard
for the library at night, for a number of years.
Here is Siyum Gudeta’s photo-
Zemed Linen passed away in 1998, after
he came for treatment in Nairobi. (Photo not found)
Aweke (second name
not found) passed away after being ill for a while.
Tony Bogale passed away in shot time
illness at Kakuma
Teshome (second name not and photo found yet) he passed away after
months and months of hunger strike.He shut himself away in his plastic shelter,
without water, without a toilet.
(Pawlos) got DV went to
US and died somebody shot him while attending a shop
Tehune Alaro ( she is known as ‘’Mother ‘’she used to be well known for
her good coffee and good reception )
Melaku (second name and photo not found) he used to do tailoring work
in Kakuma.
(Eyasu)he died in Canada (Calgary)2005/6
car accident
Yared) he got a DV travelled to US and
he died in state ,he’s been sick
+
Sembebo Denbo, passed away in 1998 in Nairobi afer
short illness.
Eyrusalem Bobsha she was in Oda and Walda comps. She passed away after
terminal illness. Where she has been living with her husband and three children,
In Copenhagen, Denmark. She used to work in Walda feeding centre. She left
Walda by the end of 1992.
Here is Jerusalem’s photo
Sholaye Beyene’s photo.
Sholaye Beyene passed away in Kakuma
Camp on 31 January, 2013. He suffered with brain tumor for more than two years
being paralyzed.
HE IS GONE (1)
Like a moving object
Walking, talking
After his death
My friend
He is coming
With virtue
And with great imagination
He left us
Without informing
Why he left
With no explanation
Who survived
Years of agony
Of exile
Our friend
Fighting despair
With all strength
In that exile
In that desert
Every night
Counting the stars
Walking, lamenting
With the moon light
On the sky
Burying his face
In his knees, hands
Gone away
To a place
No suffering
No violation
No refugee camps
No human agonies
Leaving behind
Good, sad memories
Full of dignities,
Warm smiles
And for whom we don’t give up
The fight
He’s gone
Teaching us to never give up
The fight
The fight THE FIGHT!
He’s gone
He’s gone
HE’S GONE!’
In memory of Zemed Liben, who died by UNHCR negligence.
From preventable malaria.
31 December 1998
‘’Give sorrow words;
the grief that does not speak
Whispers the o’er-fraught heart
and bids it break.’’
~ William Shakespeare, in Macbeth, Act IV, Scene III
1
Hirut the first women died in kakuma
2
Zewde who used to distribute
vitamin c.
3
Admasu In Walda camp, who used to work in card room in
Africa Medical Research Foundation( AMREF )
4 Mulgeta used to
live with Adem
5 Solomon (Central Video Kakuma)
7 Mulgeta Abera
7 Abebe Temeche and His wife
8 Tony and his wife
9 Getu (Rasta foot baller)
10 Zelalem Habtamu ( known as Zebo, footballer)
11 Desalegn (who
is secondary school student lived next to Birhanu Tulu, died
from hunger)
12 Getu ( lived with Master
Mengistu and Ayele, near Sarafina shop)
13 Kofiya (his real
name, not known who open Unity video with Dagim)
14
Jemal (lived near Medhanit towards church road in Kakuma)
15 Ketema ( who lived
behind Cheres house)
16 Fikru Denboba (Livesd next
to Ethiopia hotel, died from hunger)
17 Fufa Terefe (was a teacher
in Kakuma owns shop in Addis Ketema)
“Tears, idle tears, I know
not what they mean,
Tears from the depths of some divine despair Rise in the heart, and gather to the eyes, In looking on the happy autumn fields, And thinking of the days that are no more.” ― Alfred Tennyso |
"To lose a friend is the
greatest of all evils, but endeavor rather to rejoice that you possessed him
than to mourn his loss."
Author:
Lucius Anneaus Seneca
PART OF
REFUGEE GRAVES AT KAKUMA REFUGEE CAMP
‘’They are all gone into the world of light,
And I alone sit lingering here;
Their very memory is fair and bright,
And my sad thoughts doth clear.’’
Henry Vaughan, from Silex Scintillans ‘They are all gone’
And I alone sit lingering here;
Their very memory is fair and bright,
And my sad thoughts doth clear.’’
Henry Vaughan, from Silex Scintillans ‘They are all gone’
HOW CAN I? (2)
How can I ignore you?
Kakuma, Walda, Oda
That suffering
In the bush
Human lives
Who are buried, killed
Under the sand
In that desert
No!
No!
I have no heart to pretend
You don’t exist
Of me, half
You, my part
Sharing bad, good days
Agony, misery
Left you in
Scorching sun
Far away
From my world
Real
To nightmare
Here
To the sparkling
‘Valuable’ world
But, not mine
Leaving you in the
Frying pan
I threw myself to ash
Disconnecting me
From myself
To dust
My voice to you
Can’t be heard
Your cry to me
Can’t sound
I cry! I cry for you
Crocodile tears
Making fun of
Your misery
Also mine
Kakuma!
I am living
The unknown
Unpredictable
Full of inner
Conflict
Cold blooded
Freezing
‘Life’
Half, not full
Here I am
Making funny noises
You are there!
Far
Kakuma!
Sobbing
Invisible rage
Dying
Piece by piece
Day by day
Every minute
Piece by piece
Dry petals of
Stormy, dusty wind
I pretend
Forgetting
As if
Within me
Never
You exist
Unable
To reconcile
Within myself
I!
Greedy, selfish
The idiot
Who
Tries to light
A fire
Burn
Yesterday
From my shadows
To run away
To run away
From me
My inner self
Full of contradiction
Conflict
How can I?
How can I?
How can I?
16 January 2001, Wellington, New
Zealand
To
Oda, Walda, Kakuma Refugee Camps agonizing years
To
my fellow refugees of those camps
Remembrance
‘’Remembrance is a golden chain
Death tries to break,
but all in vain.
To have, to love, and then to part
Is the greatest sorrow of one’s heart.
The years may wipe out many things
But some they wipe out never.
Like memories of those happy times
When we were all together.’’
~ Author Unknown
‘’Remembrance is a golden chain
Death tries to break,
but all in vain.
To have, to love, and then to part
Is the greatest sorrow of one’s heart.
The years may wipe out many things
But some they wipe out never.
Like memories of those happy times
When we were all together.’’
~ Author Unknown
The
names and photos of our brothers and sisters are very! Very! Little. As time
goes by it is difficult to collect all relevant information. But we are fully confident
tobe able to get more information regarding this.
We
have to start from somewhere, this is a start.
"Forever is Ours, It's
never theirs!"
Author:
HELEN RAMOS
‘’Remember me when I am
gone away
Remember me when I am gone away.
Gone far away into the silent land;
When you can no more hold me by the hand.
Nor I half turn to go yet turning stay.
Remember me when no more day by day
You tell me of our future that you planned:
Only remember me: you understand
It will be late to counsel then or pray.
Yet if you should forget me for a while
And afterwards remember, do not grieve:
For if the darkness and corruption leave
A vestige of the thoughts that once I had.
Better by far you should forget and smile
Than you should remember and be sad.’’
~ Christina Rossetti
Remember me when I am gone away.
Gone far away into the silent land;
When you can no more hold me by the hand.
Nor I half turn to go yet turning stay.
Remember me when no more day by day
You tell me of our future that you planned:
Only remember me: you understand
It will be late to counsel then or pray.
Yet if you should forget me for a while
And afterwards remember, do not grieve:
For if the darkness and corruption leave
A vestige of the thoughts that once I had.
Better by far you should forget and smile
Than you should remember and be sad.’’
~ Christina Rossetti
