“With a pen in my hand, I rewrite my narrative, turning pain into hope”
Finding Light in Words: Betty's Journey Through Poetry
In the bustling streets of Addis Ababa, lives a young poet named Betty (Betelehem). At just 21, Betty has experienced more suffering and endured more pain than most can in a lifetime in a region impacted by internal conflict. The echoes of the violence still resonate in her memories and the scars of her experiences are still fresh. But despite the challenges that have obscured her past, she shines brightly and appears to be a very strong woman for her age.
Born into a world marked by uncertainty, Betty's childhood was anything but ordinary. Betty talks about her early years when everything was still peaceful. Her father had a small photography business and worked as a photographer. When times changed and she suddenly grew up surrounded by violence, she witnessed the destruction of the family business, leaving nothing but financial insecurity behind, and the upheaval of her once stable life.
As a result, she recalls how the constant threat of violence robbed her of her sense of safety, leaving her feeling vulnerable and afraid.
"I don’t feel safe anymore," she says, her voice trembling with emotion. "Whenever I see people running, I feel something bad is happening. It has deeply impacted me emotionally.”
Despite the uncertainty and fear, Betty found solace in the power of poetry. "In hard times, I write poems to fight back," she explains. "Poetry gives me hope when everything feels dark. When I write, I feel like I can overcome anything. It is my passion, my refuge in the storm."
"With a pen in my hand, I rewrite my narrative, turning pain into hope, and adversity into art."
Through her words, Betty transforms her pain and suffering into art. She builds her own source of strength from which she draws hope that she can make a difference. In her poems, Betty confronts the harsh realities of her past while also embracing the promise of a brighter future.
"In the midst of chaos, I refuse to let the darkness define me. I am the architect of my own destiny, and with every challenge I face, I grow stronger, more resilient," she says.
Betty's journey has not been easy, but her spirit remains unbroken. She knows the pain of loss and the longing for people she loves, but she refuses to let despair consume her. “Sometimes in my dreams, people I miss so badly start to talk to me, like my best friend for 14 years, I don't know where he is right now. He came to me in a dream and said, we will meet someday,' which might not be a reality. When I woke up, I thought it was real, but it wasn't.”
"Even amidst the toughest times, I choose to hold onto hope," she shares, her voice filled with resilience. "Writing poems helps me feel better when things are tough."
Recently, Betty joined UNICEF's global Poems for Peace campaign, sharing one of her heartfelt poems named “What I Want”. Her poetic plea for peace and understanding reflects her remarkable courage and resilience.
Beyond her poetry, Betty is an inspiring individual, with amazing language skills and displays remarkable intelligence and openness. She has dreams and aspirations for the future. She has successfully completed her first degree in software engineering and works as a freelancer in the media industry. Despite the challenges she has faced, she remains steadfast in her belief that a better future is possible, not just for herself but for her country.
In Betty's poem named "What I Want", she captures her deepest desires and longings amidst the turmoil of her surroundings. Each sentence reflects her innermost hopes and thoughts. In her lines, Betty longs for the simple pleasures of family and home, for a world where laughter and happiness reign - and no worries exist. But although she dreams of a life without fear and uncertainty, she is well aware of the harsh reality that surrounds her. It is a call for peace in a world torn apart by conflict and unrest.
Take a look at Betty's poem and see yourself:
What I want
by Betelehem (21)
What I want?
The sound of my mother's laughter
My father's happiness
That adjust to the Horizon
My sister's smile
What I want?
To go into my house and rest
without feeling any threat
and live each day without any distress
What I miss?
The day to pass without hearing a shot
The day to pass without disturbance
What I miss?
To study and take exam without worry
and help my country and be there for the mass
What I miss?
To see that happy day
where light will shine bright dazzling our eyes
Where we can move freely
where we can see peace in our country
I want to see that day,
when light will lighten the world and the lives of all beings.
