At 52 years old, Almaz Belay bears the weight of a lifetime on her shoulders, yet her heart remains strong and filled with hope. As a mother of three, she has dedicated her life to raising her children with unwavering love and sacrifice. With one daughter and two sons, she works diligently to support them. She confronts life’s challenges with a resilience that only a mother’s heart can truly endure.
Nine years ago, her eldest child, her cherished daughter, departed for Egypt in search of a better future. With dreams of lifting her family from their struggles, she traveled to Alexandria with promises of work that could ease the burdens at home. However, the moment she set foot in that distant land, her voice vanished. There were no letters, no phone calls, no messages — just silence, a silence that has stretched for nearly a decade, leaving a void in Almaz’s heart that nothing could fill.
Every day, Almaz clings to hope. She wakes up with a silent prayer on her lips, gazing at the door, wondering if today will be the day her daughter returns. The pain is heavy, but her faith in God is stronger. She is a woman of deep belief, a Christian with an unshakeable trust that no matter how long the night, dawn will eventually come.
A Beacon of Hope
For more than twenty years, Almaz has possessed a unique talent for crafting comfort blankets by hand, with each stitch sewn with patience and care. However, talent alone could not meet her needs. Life was harsh. The burden of survival weighed heavily on her, leaving her to question how much longer she could endure.
Then came Life Center Ethiopia, a beacon of hope in the darkness. When the world seemed to have turned its back on her, Life Center reached out, offering her a microloan to expand her craft. With this small yet transformative support, she began producing comfort blankets once again, this time with purpose and dignity. The burden of survival lifted slightly, replaced by the warmth of self-sufficiency.
Despite her struggles, Almaz remains a pillar of strength. She not only works tirelessly to support her family, but she also cares for her aging mother, a gesture of love that reflects her unwavering kindness. Each day, between sewing her blankets and whispering prayers for her daughter’s return, she tends to her mother with the tenderness of a heart that refuses to harden.
Almaz’s story is one of sorrow, resilience, and unyielding hope. She is a mother who has lost yet refuses to let go. A woman who has suffered but continues to believe. A heartbroken soul who still clings to faith. And as long as she breathes, she will wait. Wait for the day her daughter walks through the door. Wait for the moment she hears the voice that has been silent for far too long.
Because for a mother like Almaz, hope never dies, it only grows stronger.
