As a young Oromo child in Ethiopia I looked after goats and sheep. I started my education at the age of 8 and progressed through to Addis Ababa University to study chemistry. During my second year the 2005 Ethiopian General election was held, the results of which were corrupt and undemocratic. Many students protested and were arrested. I was detained for 18 days and warned not to demonstrate again. Over the summer break all Oromo students were warned not to demonstrate. When I returned for the third year there were government informers amongst the students and I was arrested again. At the University my name and those of 90 others were posted on a board stating that we could not continue our studies.
I left for Kenya and my story was reported to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees. For 6 years I lived in Kakuma refugee camp where snakes, scorpions and malaria were an ever present danger. I trained as a lab assistant and worked for the UN International Rescue Committee. I met my wife in the camp and our two oldest children were born there.
In 2012 we were resettled to the UK. I am studying English and Maths so that I can retrain as a lab assistant and my aim is to find work in a local hospital.

Peace Gardens