Abebech Gobena: Africa's 'Mother Teresa'

Witness History

In 1980, Abebech Gobena was on a pilgrimage to Wollo in Ethiopia, when she witnessed the devastating effects of a severe famine and drought, one of the worst in the country's history. Within a year she had rescued 21 orphans and brought them to live with her in Addis Ababa. The organisation she founded has since raised thousands of Ethiopian orphans.

Dan Hardoon speaks to Hannah Merkana, one of the children raised in the orphanage, who considers herself one of Abebech's daughters.

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(Photo: Abebech Gobena in 2013. Credit: Sean Gallup/Getty Images)