"I like myself, but people don’t like me. No one wants to touch or kiss me, not even my family," says 22-year-old Fatima Zeynu, who lives with epilepsy and burn scars from a seizure-related cooking accident. Though she receives treatment, seizures still persist, forcing her to endure a 110km journey every two months for follow-up care. Along the way she faces judgmental stares, bus drivers who refuse her entry, and the deep pain of parental rejection. Yet Fatima refuses to be broken. She dreams of finding work, living independently, and building connections with others who understand her journey. Her story is not one of pity, but of a young woman determined to rise above stigma.
Fatima Zeynu: Women living with epilepsy in Jimma | Help Fatima achieve her dream.
At 30, Kadina Kofto views her epilepsy as divine punishment, hindering her from forming friendships and pursuing dreams of marriage and family. Struggling with depression and self-hate, Kadina's condition worsened after falling into an open fire during a seizure, resulting in burns on 37.5% of her leg, forearm, and hands. Despite reduced seizures from medication, she must travel 21 kilometers regularly for refills. Kadina remains hopeful, aspiring to find work, support herself, and connect with others who understand her journey. Her resilience and determination shine through as she seeks a meaningful and fulfilling life despite the obstacles.
Kadina Kofto: Women with epilepsy in Bonga (Southern Ethopia) | Support Kadina's Hope
Aisha’s story reflects the silent devastation of epilepsy in rural Ethiopia. For years, she believed her seizures were caused by possession and never sought treatment. Her young daughter, also undiagnosed, suffered a seizure while cooking and fell into an open flame, losing her life instantly. Aisha wears the burn scars left by her own seizure, etched into her body as silent testimony. Today, she lives with grief, trauma, and the same untreated illness that claimed her daughter, a heartbreaking reminder of how stigma and lack of care destroy lives.
Aisha: Women living with epilepsy | Epilepsy tragedy, grief, support Aisha.
Edamin, a 14-year-old boy with epilepsy, faces the cruel reality many children in Ethiopia endure. Trapped in 2nd grade for four years because his teacher refused to advance him, his education has been stolen, and every attempt by his father to find another school has been denied. Outside the classroom, relentless bullying scars him, branded as “evil-spirited,” driving him to abandon school and leaving his devoted father heartbroken, though still dreaming of a brighter future. You can help children like Edamin learn, grow, and thrive free from fear, stigma, and discrimination.
Edamin: A boy living with epilepsy | End bullying, support Edamin.
Sixteen-year-old Zeyneba lives at the Catholic Mission in Jimma, helping out instead of attending school. "I don’t want education, but I want a job to support myself and my baby," she says. Zeyneba started having seizures at three and recently suffered her third major burn while making injera, adding to scars from previous seizures. “I know before the devil pushes me to fall,” she describes the sensation before a seizure. Two months ago, Zeyneba gave birth to a baby girl, but her fiancé left her after witnessing a seizure during her pregnancy. She has worked as a maid but was dismissed each time after a seizure. Zeyneba dislikes relying on handouts. "I don’t want education, but I want medication and a job to support myself and my baby," she repeats, hoping for a chance at a better future.
Zeyneba Mohammed: A women with epilepsy | Support Zeyneba's independence.
Bandi could barely speak, her mouth sore and her voice a faint whisper. When asked about her epilepsy, she looked confused and admitted she had no idea what it was, believing it to be a curse. Because of this belief, Bandi has never received any medication, despite suffering from generalized tonic-clonic seizures for 16 years. Tragically, she experienced several injuries before, but the worst occurred while baking injera over an open fire, resulting in severe burns to her ear, face, neck, arm, and hand. Now, Bandi's life hangs in the balance, facing the risk of sepsis and potential amputation of her hand. Her story highlights the urgent need for better education, treatment, and support for those affected by epilepsy in Ethiopia, where access to care is limited.
Bandi's Story: A women with epilepsy | Urgently support medication access.
Abandoned at the Mission's doorstep, a young girl's fate was uncertain. She was left with a note suggesting she was possessed and unfit to be cared for, leaving her identity and origins a mystery. In honor of Mother Teresa, the Mission gave her the name Kidist Theresa. Kidist faces the daily challenges of living with autism and epilepsy. Her condition manifests in repetitive speech, limited social engagement, and physical movements like hand flapping and rocking. Despite her struggles, Kidist has never received the medical care or access to the necessary anti-seizure medications she desperately needs, further complicating her already difficult situation.
Kidist Theresa: A child with epilepsy | Empower children similar to Kidist.
Bethlehem, a charming girl with cerebral palsy, faces numerous challenges in her daily life. Due to poor balance and coordination, she is unable to sit independently. Additionally, Bethlehem copes with epilepsy and intellectual disability, further complicating her condition. Another visible difficulty she experiences is excessive drooling, a result of limited control over the muscles in her throat, mouth, and tongue. Tragically, Bethlehem does not have access to the necessary anti-seizure medication to manage her seizures effectively.
Bethlehem Theresa: A child with epilepsy | Join Our Health Advocacy Campaign.
Sara, a 5-year-old with epilepsy and autism, faces frequent seizures, often resulting in injuries from falls. Unfortunately, she was left by the Mission door with no information about her background or known relatives. The impact of an unknown background on children like Sara goes beyond the immediate challenges of managing medical conditions. It extends to the emotional and psychological well-being of these young individuals who may grapple with a sense of identity and belonging. Your support becomes a crucial lifeline, providing not only necessary medical care but also a pathway to a more secure and nurturing environment, helping children discover a sense of connection and stability in their lives.
Sara Theresa: A child with epilepsy | Join Us: Empower Children's Futures.
In the quiet corridors of the Mission, Aster, living with spastic quadriplegia, bears the weight of severe disabilities and spinal deformities. Relentless seizures shape her days, an exhausting struggle that drains her strength. Trapped in unspoken thoughts, she lingers among the children at the mission door, her past shrouded in silence. With no family story to claim her, she blooms as a fragile flower in isolation. Though medication was tried, seizures still hold her captive. Aster’s story cries out for healing, compassion, and an unyielding commitment to unveil the hidden lives of children like her, left at the door of hope.
Aster Theresa: A child with epilepsy | Empower Lives: Unveil Hope.
Until age 12, Yohannes lived in Bonga town, in Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People's Region. He was left by the side of a road in Bonga until foreign visitors found him and took him to the Mission house. Yohannes has seizures soon after falling asleep, before waking or around arousal during the night. When we took this picture, he had four seizures last night, which apparently is typical for him. He is not on medication for his seizures as there are no children services. Yohannes - 3rd child from left to right.
Yohannes Theresa: A child with epilepsy
Ashebir, diagnosed with epilepsy for ten years, faces seizures at least three times a week despite being on medication. He also suffers from mental retardation, making everyday tasks a significant challenge. Fortunately, he receives his medication from the Catholic mission, but there is no other support to keep him active and engaged in life. Each seizure disrupts his routine and brings new difficulties, but Ashebir navigates his days with quiet resilience, supported by those who care for him. His life is a testament to enduring strength amidst constant adversity.
Ashebir Mekuria: A man with epilepsy
In Mizan-Aman, Ethiopia, individuals battling epilepsy face stark challenges. St. Michael Church, a symbol of hope, encounters patients struggling without vital anti-seizure medication. Epilepsy, perceived as an evil spirit, subjects those affected to stigma and exclusion. Near the church, individuals, deprived of essential medication, beg for sustenance amid societal misunderstandings. Addressing this ignorance becomes a moral duty, transcending medical necessity. The narrative of Mizan-Aman illustrates the transformative force of knowledge and compassion in countering ingrained cultural beliefs, emphasizing the urgent need for awareness and inclusion in the face of epilepsy's pervasive impact.
Menit Tribe: A child with epilepsy | Join Us to Raise Epilepsy Awareness
Born in Meinit Shasha, part of the South West Ethiopia Peoples' Region and Bench Maji Zone, this baby faced the cruel hand of fate—a birth injury leading to epilepsy. The community, swayed by ancient beliefs, considered mercy killing, deeming epilepsy an incurable and caused by evil spirt. The 16-year-old mother, fleeing from stigma and to save her child, sought refuge on the streets of Mizan Aman town, reduced to begging for sustenance. With no medical care, the child grapples with unrelenting seizures, a silent victim of societal ignorance. This narrative is a stark chronicle of despair, etched into the unforgiving landscapes of South West Ethiopia.
A miracle baby: A child with epilepsy | Support our work to Combat Societal Ignorance.