In Loving Memory of faneal Tesfit, son of the Eritrean Diaspora
Eritrea is an African nation located on the continent's Eastern coast, in the Horn of Africa, with its shores cradling the Red Sea across from the Arabian peninsula. After three decades of war, Eritrea gained independence from Ethiopia on May 24, 1991. Before the Ethiopian occupation, Eritrea was colonized by Britain and Italy. Two years after independence, Eritrea achieved official statehood in 1993. Since then, the nation has been led by President Issaias Afeworki, the leader of the Eritrean People's Liberation Front (EPLF), a nationalist group that led liberation efforts during the war. According to Human Rights Watch,
"Eritrea remains a one-man dictatorship under President Isaias Afewerki, with no legislature, no independent civil society organizations or media outlets, and no independent judiciary. Elections have never been held in the country since it gained independence in 1993, and the government has never implemented the 1997 constitution guaranteeing civil rights and limiting executive power."
These circumstances led to refugee migration to the United States and abroad. There are nearly 48,000 Eritreans in the United States.
There is much more to know about Eritrea, its history, and its culture, but today, I want to talk to you about a beloved son of the diaspora, Faneal Tewoldemedhin Tesfit. Faneal is the firstborn son of Azeb Asfaha and Tesfit Woldegaber, born in Dallas, Texas, in 1998. His life held every hope and dream of his family and community. He graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in biochemistry with aspirations of pursuing a medical degree. Faneal was a kind, caring elder brother, dutiful son, compassionate community member, and friend. He was intelligent and curious about the world, a student who consistently excelled academically and graduated with honors. He loved sports, his friends, his family, and his culture. He was a young man exuding so much life with limitless potential, the embodiment of every immigrant community's dream for their children. Faneal is someone who should still be with us.
Recently, Faneal began working as a rideshare driver to earn additional income for his post-graduate studies. He used the family vehicle late at night/early in the morning to pick up fares at times that would not be disruptive to his household. Just days into this work, Faneal's life was stolen on February 20 when he was shot in South Dallas. Upon his wounding, he lost control of the vehicle, which subsequently crashed into a home. He was pronounced dead by first responders at the scene. Faneal was laid to rest this past Wednesday, February 28, 2024. At this impossible time, Faneal's family must come up with funds to cover funeral expenses and repair the family vehicle that was damaged when he perished. These are the dreadful realities that his family must face in the midst of their profound loss.
Thank you for reading this story and holding the memory of Faneal Tewoldemedhin Tesfit with me. If you are able to engage in mutual aid and community care, please make a contribution to the Tesfit Family's GoFundMe page and bless them with an offering to ease their incalculable pain. We are living in violent times. May we find care, rest, and hope in one another.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/faneal-tesfit
In love and community,
Rebekah
