A SHORT BIOGRAPHY OF W/RO HAREGEWAINE MITIKU AYALEW

"For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's." - Romans 14:8

W/ro Haregewaine Mitiku Ayalew was born to her father, Like Tiguhan Mitku Ayalew, and her mother, W/ro Mulu Abera, on Hidar 6, 1966 E.C., which corresponds to November 15, 1973, in the Abajale Teklehaimanot area of the Eregibe-Ber neighborhood in Gondar City, Gondar Province.

W/ro Haregewaine was the eldest of nine children-four girls and five boys. When she reached school age, she completed her primary education at Debre Selam Elementary School in Gondar and then continued to Atse Fasilides Comprehensive Secondary School, where she finished 12th grade.

After marrying, she moved to San Jose, California, USA. Together with her husband, Ato Kassaye Ejigu, she was blessed with two daughters: Aden Kassaye and Rebekah Kassaye.

Hareg dedicated her professional life to caring for others as a certified Home Care Aide and Home Health Aide, providing compassion and dignity to the elderly, sick, and vulnerable. Her entrepreneurial spirit blossomed early on with a business called Dimond Repoint Center for PCB cutting tools which later evolved into her own store, the San Pedro Gift Shop, operating for 12 years. Yet no title or achievement could fully capture the essence of who she was—a woman committed to serving others.

Having grown up helping in her family's well-known photography business in Gondar-"Photo Tewodros"-she gained experience in taking photographs, preparing them, and serving customers, which shaped her understanding of business and hospitality. She later used that experience tox start a small shop of her own in the San Pedro Market area of downtown San Jose.

From her childhood until the end of her life, she lived a life rooted in prayer, respect for the traditions of the Church, and deep compassion. She committed herself to a life of love-serving her family, relatives, and friends with grace, beauty, kindness, and generosity. She was known as a hard worker and an example for others.

Throughout her life, she was recognized for her love for people, her patience, her gentle speech, and her kindness toward those in need. These virtues were the defining marks of her character and remained evident until her final days.

Her life was also filled with blessings, which she always shared with others. Her compassion flowed from her heart, and she quietly helped many without seeking recognition.

The character she inherited from her father, Lige Tiguhan Mitiku, and her mother, W/ro Mulu Abera, was one that lived not for herself, but for others. She cared for elderly mothers and fathers as if they were her own parents. Other people's joy brought her joy; their sorrow brought her pain.

Seeing those who were weak or living with disabilities in hardship deeply touched her heart. For many years, she dedicated her time, strength, and finances to support vulnerable individuals in Ethiopia through charitable work in Addis Ababa, Gondar, and Debre Birhan. Among the many acts of kindness she carried out, the most notable include:

• Every year, she provided food for families in need in Addis Ababa and Gondar-especially during major Christian holidays such as Fasika (Easter).

• Through her personal initiative and tireless effort, she built a library and a 10-room dormitory inside Debre Birhan Selassie Church in Gondar to support spiritual students. This facility has served as a place of study and prayer for theology and liturgy students and continues to do so to this day.

• For many years, she consistently supported the "Mena" center in Gondar, a facility that cares for elderly individuals without family support and for people with mental illness. For her continuous contribution to this institution, she was honored as a "Mena Ambassador" for the past five years

—a recognition she accepted with humility while continuing her service.

• Moved by compassion, she also supported displaced people living in the Debre Birhan displacement camp, helping them start small livelihoods to regain their dignity and provide for their families.

Guided by her belief that "teaching someone how to fish is better than giving them fish," W/ro Haregewaine worked to empower those in need by giving them opportunities for work and self-sufficiency. By gathering resources from her own pocket as well as contributions from generous supporters, she organized aid for 35 mothers and more than 160 vulnerable children-most of whom live with intellectual and physical disabilities.

Through her efforts, she helped them begin small shop businesses, sheep raising, dairy cow farming, and various handicraft trades. Because of her dedication, these individuals were able to lift themselves out of a life of hardship and step into a more hopeful future. For this reason, W/ro Haregewaine Micku became known as "Mother of the Poor" and "Comforter of Tears."

W/ro Haregewaine Mitku was a woman strengthened by her deep and reverent faith. She partook in the Holy Sacrament of Communion and received the Flesh and Blood of Jesus Christ with humility, walked faichfully on the path toward heaven, and lived as a spiritually prepared and devoted mother.

For a Christian, death is not a cruel enemy but a bridge that leads into another life. On Hidar 21, 2018 E.C. (November 30, 2025), W/ro Haregewaine Mitku left this world through a tragic car accident. Her funeral was held in San lose at Oak Hill Funeral Home & Memorial Park 300

Curtner Ave, San Jose, CA 95125, in the presence of her beloved family and friends.

The legacy she leaves for her family, relatives, and friends is one of love, service, and unwavering faith. Her life's work continues to live on through her two beautiful children, her entire family, the students she supported, the elderly she cared for, the vulnerable people she lifted up, and the communities she strengthened.

Though she is physically separated from us today, her holy deeds live beyond the grave and will be remembered for generations. We offer comfort to all who were touched by her kindness and to her family-the Mekane Rama Saint Gabriel Church families.

May God grant rest to the soul of our beloved sister and mother among the righteous, the saints, and our forefathers. Amen.

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