By: Fitsum Getachew
Artist Yoseph Bekele as he sees himself
Yoseph Bekele was born into a poor family, right in the heart of Addis Ababa, in a neighborhood commonly called Kazanchis. From birth, he lived with a disability that prevented him from washing, dressing, or eating on his own. His wife, mother, or children always had to assist him. People who've known him since infancy remember him as a very frail child with paralyzed limbs. His arms lacked proper muscles and fingers, and his legs were too thin and weak to allow him to stand upright or move properly. Consequently, he couldn't even walk until he was around five or six years old – an age when most children are constantly playing, running, and moving about. But not Yoseph.
Though from a poor background, Yoseph Bekele comes from a physically normal family; his brothers and sisters are all healthy and without disabilities. He was the only one born with such challenges. When he talks about his life, he says he was raised in extreme poverty, surviving on the generosity of people in the neighborhood. He didn't have the chance to attend a regular school due to his physical handicap. Instead, his mother used to take him to nearby church compounds and place him on the ground, showcasing his disability to the laity, who would offer coins and birr according to their capacity and desire.
During yearly Christian holidays and festivities, people are typically more generous, and there are many more attendees than on normal days. These were the days his mother managed to collect more money than usual. Yoseph's mother would find some reason to smile, despite the daily hardship of paying rent and supporting her family.
Later, as Yoseph grew into adolescence, his body fortunately showed a slight improvement, gaining some strength. He somehow began to learn to walk independently, albeit slowly. He's prone to losing his balance when he walks, which causes him to fall frequently, especially if the ground isn't smooth.
You can see that his face bears several scars, particularly on his head and chin. This is because when he falls, he lands on his head or chin, not with his arms, as a person without his condition would. Unfortunately, his limbs aren't under his control. Despite this, he would struggle to go around the Kazanchis neighborhood in search of alms from people he knew, or he would even acquire new "clients." Central Kazanchis was famous for its bars, pubs, and restaurants. Many Addis residents would come there in the evenings to relax, enjoy refreshments, and listen to music for hours until late. Yoseph would roam around, continuously changing locations. These patrons would push coins into his pockets because he couldn't receive them with his hands. In any case, by the end of the night, around 2:30 or 3:00 a.m., he would return home with whatever income he had managed to raise. He says that's how he paid for his family's livelihood expenses.
He says a few years ago, his life changed for the better because, as he put it, "God gave him a wife." He got married and began to build his own family. His mother was somewhat relieved of many duties regarding his daily life, such as feeding him, clothing him, and keeping him clean. But the real breakthrough happened when he saw a woman on TV who, despite her disability, had become an accomplished painter. He was immensely inspired by this artist. When he went to ask to be enrolled into an arts school called Abyssinia Arts Academy, the owner didn't hesitate to offer him a scholarship. Yoseph's life then transformed, and he began experiencing a new, happy chapter, hoping and dreaming to become part of such a prestigious family of artists. Recognizing that he couldn't use his arms, he had to use his mouth. The instructors, noting his disability, began to give him special attention and focused guidance.
Yoseph pursued his passion for art with enthusiasm and fervor, with dedication and full commitment. His extreme poverty and dependence on others' charity for survival, his need for help even when traveling to and from the academy by taxi, and his exceptional mobility difficulties did not discourage him from pursuing his studies until graduation. He didn't pay a single penny for his education. After graduation, he was given further space and time to continue practicing painting at the academy. He says his gratitude to the Academy is immense.
In the meantime, he had gotten married and had three children, the youngest of whom is now about 13 years old. His first daughter has finished her engineering studies at Arba Minch University, while his son has completed vocational studies. Yoseph says his children aren't well-employed based on their credentials but somehow manage to do what they can here and there to earn a living. "Hopefully, in a few years, they will get better jobs," he prays.
Yoseph’s love for art is his strength. He is very happy that soon he will someday be self-sufficient through the sale of his works. Until now, he has managed to earn some money, but it hasn't been enough to support him and his family. However, from time to time, he manages to participate in painting exhibitions. (His paintings were permanently exhibited at Odda Tower near the office of the Economic Commission for Africa, and in a bar in central Kazanchis until it was demolished for neighborhood renovation.) He managed to sell a few of his pieces, and he says he felt so happy for that. He longs for the days when he will never have to ask for alms from anyone and can stand proudly on his own.
Yoseph wants to be able to say, "I am completely self-sufficient, and I can run my family using the income I earn from my talent and skills." He says, "I'm fed up with seeking the assistance and generosity of others." Up to now, he has appeared as a guest on several TV shows and radio programs, seen as a person to emulate because of his resolve to manage his life as he wants, without being discouraged or ashamed of his disability. He has also appeared in the pages of several newspapers, although he says he hasn't been fortunate enough to receive the necessary support to engage more deeply in his vocation.
Yoseph says some people promised him support, such as buying him the materials he needs to draw pictures, either dry or using watercolors. These materials are expensive, and the paper or canvas on which to paint is also too costly for him to afford, he says. With practically no reliable and regular income, it's clear that Yoseph has a tangible need for help. Furthermore, he needs a comfortable space to be inspired and paint. His home is a single, narrow room, full of furniture like a double bed, a couple of seats, and a drawer where the family's kitchen utensils are kept.
With a family of five to support, it's truly a challenge to live with any reasonable decency, let alone in comfort. In any case, Yoseph is on the right track to overcome his natural disabilities and become a productive citizen and a productive family head. He should be an inspiration for all those who just sit and wait for charity due to their disability.