THERE are 19.5 million refugees in the world with 14.4 million under the mandate of the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), many of whom have experienced unbelievable hardship.
Many were forced to flee their homes, often leaving family members behind in their search of a better life.

This is the case of 38-year-old Ethiopian, Tesfaye Mekuria Tsegaw, who is seeking asylum in Guyana after escaping political persecution in his homeland.

In an interview with Guyana Chronicle, Tsegaw said he is from a family of farmers from Kutaber Dessie, Ethiopia, and a former youth organiser of the Amhara National Movement, an Opposition party fighting for protection of human rights.
“It was because of a government crackdown on dissident voices that cause me to run; I am now here in Guyana and I registered with the UNHCR because I am seeking asylum in Guyana,” he said.

He explained that he left Ethiopia on a flight to Brazil just to escape his persecutors, but when he reached Brazil, he realised how hard life was since he was unable to speak Portuguese or Spanish.

“I inquired from persons about English-speaking countries that I can go to, and I was told that neighbouring Guyana was English-speaking and I decided to find my way here because I can speak English,” he explained.

Tsegaw said he has since applied to the authorities here seeking asylum and a work permit since his arrival in early July, 2019. He was never married or fathered any children back in Ethiopia.

“I cannot return to Ethiopia until there is a change of government because they will kill me,” he said. “I am staying at a church on Princess Street, Georgetown and on August 9th, I was robbed while I was asleep and beaten. I am just looking for employment so I can do better for myself.”

Tsegaw said he reported the robbery at the Alberttown Police Station and was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he received treatment.

“Life here in Guyana as an asylum seeker is really, really tough, I need work to survive, it has been very hard for me,” he said. “I am still staying at Lot 26 Princess Street, the place where I was robbed, because I cannot do better and have nowhere to go.”
In giving an idea of the work he did while in Ethiopia, Tsegaw said he grew up in an orthodox Christian family and he was a sociologist back home.

He explained that he was also trained to set up solar panels and solar powered pumps since these were essential in the farming communities of Ethiopia.
“As a human being, I am willing to work, I don’t need anything free, I am want to be useful and to take care of myself,” he said.

The Ethiopian said that many of his colleagues who represent the political party known as Amhara National Movement were arrested and prosecuted for arranging peaceful protests.
He explained that political parties in Ethiopia are worried that the government postponing the 2020 national elections could amplify ethnic tensions and trigger political unrest in the East African country.

He added that Ethiopia’s 100 million citizens are seeing unprecedented political change.
Managing to secure a cell phone, Tesfaye Mekuria Tsegaw said he is willing to work and can be contacted on 685-7101.