ABENEZER TEFERA

Engdaw Worku, a 16-year-old boy, resides on the island monastery of Debremariam in Bahir Dar. He is one of 300 people who lives on this small island located between Lake Tana and the Blue Nile. 
 
Engdaw lives with his mother, father, two younger sisters, one younger brother, and an older sibling. The mystery and beauty of living on an island abound. However, since the island is so isolated, electricity, potable water, health centres and schools are not easily accessible. 
 
Going to school is an unimaginably difficult task for residents of the island as one will have to cross the waters of Lake Tana and the Blue Nile at least twice. Thus, people on the island, including Engdaw handcraft a small boat called "Tankua" every three months from dried papyrus reeds they harvest from the marsh on the island. 
 
With this boat, Engdaw travels 4 kilometres to the mainland before walking another 6 kilometers to school before making his way back to the island at the end of every weekday. Engdaw Worku does this to educate himself and possibly change the lives of his family for the better.

Biography Abenezer Tefera