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News and Events
African Development Bank Group and Eritrea strengthen partnership for growth

https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events ... owth-64043

• Eritrea looks to the African Development Bank as a partner of choice, says President Isaias Afwerki


African Development Bank President, Akinwumi Adesina (left) met with Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki in Asmara to strengthen their partnership to support the country's growth.

01-Sep-2023

The African Development Bank Group and Eritrea on Friday strengthened their partnership to support the country’s growth and place it on a more sustainable development path in the coming years.

Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki thanked African Development Bank President Akinwumi Adesina for the strategic role the Bank was playing in improving the lives of the Eritrean people. He said the country had identified the African Development Bank Group as the partner of choice to drive rapid socio-economic development and to move its economy

from subsistence to industrialisation.

Afwerki was speaking in the Eritrean capital, Asmara, at a meeting with the African Development Bank chief. Adesina is the first African Development Bank president to visit Eritrea, which joined the institution in 1994.

Afwerki said Eritrea had found the African Development Bank Group to be an ally and a key partner for development.

We have had fruitful engagements with the Bank and want to do more with the institution on a sustainable level,

he said.

He also called for more resources for the African Development Bank and for it to be strengthened to support Africa's development priorities.

Afwerki also called for additional support in other critical areas, including support for fishing communities, agriculture, skills and capacity development to increase self-sufficiency, and integrated infrastructure to enable the country to make the most of its large potash deposits.

In April, the African Development Bank’s board of directors approved a US$49.92 million financing grant for the construction of a 30-megawatt solar photovoltaic power plant in Dekemhare. This is the Bank’s largest investment in the country. The project will have a transformative impact on improving access to energy in Eritrea. It will contribute to the Eritrea’s target of generating 360 megawatts of electricity by 2030.

In 2018, Eritrea signed a peace and cooperation agreement with its neighbour, Ethiopia. This milestone marked the end of 20 years of conflict that had hampered economic development. The agreement and the lifting of United Nations and United States sanctions ended a decade of international isolation for Eritrea.

The African Development Bank Group has committed to support Eritrea’s development, including its goal of self-reliance.

Adesina said the African Development Bank as an important partner of Eritrea. The Bank is currently supporting the country in energy, water and sanitation, agriculture, skills and capacity development, as well as economic and financial governance.

Adesina said:

As President of the African Development Bank, I can assure you that under my leadership, the African Development Bank will be there to support Eritrea's drive to transform its economy. It can only get better with all the projects we have talked about today. If we work together, I know that Eritrea will be a much better country in many ways.

Adesina said the Eritrean leader had been consistent with his engagement with the African Development Bank since Eritrea joined the institution nearly 30 years ago.

He highlighted the need to prioritise agro-industrialisation to further grow the agriculture sector and ensure food stability. He also proposed the African Development Bank's Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones initiative as a model for transforming Eritrea's rural communities into prosperous economic zones, harnessing the power of commercial agriculture and food production.

The Bank president said global shocks, including the impacts of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, underscored the need for Africa to claim its place as the world’s food basket, considering the continent’s endowments of arable land, water, and other resources.

Adesina also emphasised the role of skills, capacity development and technology transfer, which he said should be embedded in development operations to ensure their sustainability. He said the African Development Bank and the Eritrean government must work together on this important agenda to maximise the developmental impact of the institution’s support.

The African Development Bank is already supporting skills development through its Support to Skills Development for Employability and Entrepreneurship Project. This project is increasing access to quality technical vocational education and training in the country. It has particularly benefitted Eritrean youth.

Adesina stressed the importance of public debt management for macroeconomic stability and access to diverse sources of development finance.

The African Development Bank’s Public Financial Management and Statistical Capacity Development Project has helped Eritrea successfully implement the Debt Management and Financial Analysis System and train Ministry of Finance staff. The Bank has also expressed its readiness to provide additional support in debt policy and management. This would include developing a medium-term debt strategy to ensure Eritrea's debt sustainability.

Adesina commended the Eritrean government for the ongoing rollout of M-Nakfa. This is a mobile payment system like Kenya's popular M-Pesa, which has revolutionised digital financial services in Kenya. M-Nakfa is expected to have similar transformative results in Eritrea.

Adesina said that a robust payment system and digital technology were important components of financial sector development reforms. He said:

An efficient financial sector supports domestic resource mobilisation and contributes to economic development.

At an earlier meeting with Minister Finance and National Development Minister Dr Giorgis Teklemikael, Adesina remarked that the partnership between the African Development Bank and Eritrea was flourishing, as borne out by the cumulative portfolio size of US$126.1 million. This is a portfolio of 14 African Development Bank operations in the country as of the 4th of August 2023.

The African Development Bank hosts the African Legal Support Facility, which will offer Eritrea support as it develops its Environment Management Framework. This will include helping the government build the capacity of its institutions to effectively undertake environmental due diligence activities, particularly in the mining sector.

Accompanying the African Development Bank president were the institution’s vice president for power, energy, climate and green growth, Dr Kevin Kariuki; special advisor to the president for shareholder relations, Modibo Touré; country programme officer, Kenneth Onyango; and other sector specialists.




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ኣብ ኤርትራ ናይ ክልተ መዓልታት ናይ ስራሕ ምብጻሕ ዝፈጸመ ፕረዚደንት AfDB ዶ/ር ኣኪንዉሚ ኣደሲና፡ ሎሚ ኣብ ሰዓታት ቅ/ቐ ብፕረዚደንት ኢሳይያስ ኣፈወርቂ ተሰንዩ፡ ኣብ ዞባ ደቡብ - ንኡስ ዞባ ድባርዋ ዝሰላሰል ዘሎ መደባት ልምዓት ተዓዚቡ። Accompanied by President Isaias, AfDP President Dr. Akinwumi today visited water-conservation and solar energy infrastructures as well as agro-industrial plants in the environs of the Mislam and Logo dams.




The Halhale Dairy Farm, part of the country’s push to transform agriculture via investments in agro-processing and industrialise its economy.

[Zmeselo]

@UNDPEritrea is delighted to engage with the high level mission to Eritrea of the African Development Bank, led by their President Mr. Akinwumi Adesina. We discussed common areas of interest & partnerships including SDG policy, planning & financing, & on just energy transition.

[Zmeselo]

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GENERAL
Just the Trip I Needed

Milka Teklom

https://shabait.com/2023/09/02/just-the ... eaPrevails

Sep 2, 2023

The allure of work trips often lies in the promise of fun, minus the actual work – or so they say. I recently embarked on a work trip that defied this notion, offering a blend of both labor and insight. The journey took me to Gash-Barka, an administrative region acclaimed as the “breadbasket” of Eritrea due to its thriving agricultural activities and abundant minerals.

Our expedition commenced early in the morning, setting the stage for a day of traversing diverse landscapes. Accompanied by colleagues who were no strangers to the region, I was reassured that our exploration would transcend mere tourism and delve into meaningful interactions.

Unlike those who indulge in breakfast before a journey, I prefer sampling local fare along the route. During a tea break in Keren – a town known for its Art Deco architecture, captivating women, and robust men – I remarked on my dining habits. My colleagues engaged in a lighthearted debate on whether Keren’s charm was more pronounced in the evening. Meanwhile, I contemplated whether to break my fast as a slight unease set in, a common sensation I experience when transitioning to lower elevations.

Opting for sustenance, I ordered scrambled eggs, prompting raised eyebrows and a smile from my companions. Their amusement stemmed from the fact that I had missed out on an authentic culinary experience awaiting us at our next stop. With unanimous agreement, I anticipated our impending destination.

As we journeyed onward, work-related conversations gradually gave way to tales of monkeys that frequented the road. These amiable creatures, scaling steep mountains to reach the road, engaged in a curious ritual of soliciting snacks from passing travelers. While their intentions seemed friendly, the occasional monkey leaping through car windows could provoke a startled response. Passing the monkeys, our dialogue turned to global climate change and its impact on our nation.



Our next stop was Akordat, renowned among my colleagues as one of Eritrea’s hottest locations. Upon arrival, the sweltering heat substantiated this reputation. Our first visit was to the town’s administrative office, an Italian-built structure designed to withstand hot climates. The building featured long curved windows and Gothic rib vault-style rooms, promoting air circulation. Situated on elevated ground, it afforded panoramic views of the town, distinguished by similar buildings.

After addressing our tasks, it was time for lunch. The anticipated meal was a local favorite – Qicha Fetfet, a spicy dish blending chopped crusty bread with silsi (onions, tomatoes, and chili paste). Accompanied by fresh yogurt, the meal was a delightful departure from my expectations.

With satisfied appetites and the sweltering heat-inducing drowsiness, a nap was in order. An hour later, murmurs announced our proximity to Barentu, the regional capital. To rouse ourselves from our mid-journey daze, we paused for tea.

The tea stalls, lining the street leading to the bustling market, were a testament to the local tea culture. Upon seating, patrons were immediately served water – a custom I found endearing. Surrounded by fellow tea drinkers, the atmosphere was vibrant, intensified by the cooler air of Barentu.

Amidst the charming scene, I momentarily detached from the work trip and observed two men engrossed in a chess match. However, obligations beckoned, reminding me of the tasks at hand.

The following morning brought respite from work, granting us the opportunity to explore the town. Modern infrastructure coexisted with traditional huts, a backdrop to the town’s friendly residents who exuded warmth and hospitality. Amidst this environment, I reflected on my own possessions, comparing them to the modesty of the locals’ homes. This contrast underscored the virtues of simplicity and contentment, qualities that seemed to cultivate genuine happiness.

Barentu introduced me to Ful Meselah, a dish of seasoned mashed fava beans. Served for breakfast, it featured a medley of chopped onions, tomatoes, crushed peanuts, chili paste, and copious sesame oil, accompanied by crusty bread. The meal’s simplicity and quality resonated, as did the unique coffee infused with ginger, offering a distinctive twist on the highlands’ coffee experience.

Our journey also led us to Tesseney, a vibrant town characterized by its energetic populace. A visit to Shuke al Shaebi – the local market – on a Saturday evening offered an authentic snapshot of local life. As the sun set, vendors continued to enthusiastically advertise their wares, ranging from fruits and vegetables to electronic gadgets and sweet confections. The market’s authenticity provided a captivating window into daily life.



The scene looks straight out of movies: hot weather changed into cool breath. During the evening some soccer fans watching a premier league match screaming with every goal, some elderly drinking coffee in small groups joking with each other, and a group of birds dancing in the clear sky. It is a view that everyone should be able to witness.

The trip to Gash Barka unveiled a region brimming with experiences waiting to be explored. Notably absent from this account are various tourist attractions, such as Mount Elite and Fodie, known for recreational and sports activities. Opportunities to observe wild animals like elephants, and to immerse oneself in rich historical and cultural sites, further underline the region’s appeal.

In retrospect, Gash Barka exceeded my expectations, merging work and exploration into a rewarding adventure. Through culinary revelations, encounters with nature, and glimpses into local life, this journey offered a fresh perspective on the world and the people who inhabit it.

[Zmeselo]

GENERAL
ሽዱሽተ ሽሕ ዶላር ኣብ ውሽጢ 3 ሰዓታት

ብሃብተሚካኤል ዕቚባስላሴ

https://shabait.com/2023/09/02/%e1%88%b ... eaPrevails

Sep 2, 2023

ኣብ’ዛ ብስሰዐ ተባሒታ ዘላ ዓለም፡ ክንዮ ነብስኻ ሓሊፍካ ብዛዕባ ካልኦት ምሕሳብ፡ ሰብኣውነትካ እተረጋግጸሉ መድረኽ እዩ። ብፍላይ ከኣ፡ ብዕድመ ንኣሽቱ ክነሶም ናይ ዓበይቲ ሰባት ሓሳብ ክሓስቡን ንዝሓሰብዎ ኣብ ግብሪ ከውዕልዎን ምስ እትርኢ፡ ከይተገረምካ ኣይትተርፍን። እዘን ተቐማጦ ሃገረ ካናዳ ዝዀና ክልተ ኣሕዋት – ኣሰንያ ተመስገንን ኖቤል ተመስገንን ይበሃላ። ኣሰንያ ተማሃሪት 11 ክፍሊ፡ ኖቤል ከኣ ተማሃሪት 9ይ ክፍሊ እየን። ኣብ ከተማ ኦታዋ – ካልኣይ ደረጃ ቤት ትምህርቲ መሪቫለ ከኣ ይመሃራ። ኣብ ትምህርተን ኣዝየን ንፉዓት ተማሃሮ እየን። ዝለዓለ ነጥቢ ብምምዝጋብ፡ ምስ’ቶም ብሉጻት 200 ተማሃሮ – ካብ ማእከላይ ደረጃ ናብ ካልኣይ ደረጃ ሓሊፈን።

ኣብ ሓምለ 2022፡ ስድራ-ቤተን፡ ህዝበንን ሃገረንን ክርእያ ኣብ ዝመጽኣሉ ግዜ፡ ወለደን ኣብ እምባ ደርሆ ናብ ዝርከብ መእለዪ ዘኽታማት ወሲዶምወን። ብዛዕባ እቶም ዘኽታማት ንወለደን ምስ ሓተታኦም ከኣ፡ መብርሂ ረኺበን። ኣቦን ኣደን ዘይብሎም ዘኽታማት ምዃኖም ምስ ፈለጣ ድማ፡ ኣብ ውሽጠን ፍሉይ እህህታ ፈጢሩለን። ካብኡ ተበጊሰን፡ ሓደ ሓሳብ ኣበገሳ።

ኣብ ዝመጽእ ዓመት ብዓቕምና ገለ ነገር ክንገብር ኣለና

ብምባል፡ ቅዱስ ሓሳብ ሓሰባ።

ናብ ካናዳ ምስ ከድና ገንዘብ ኣዋጺእና ንዓመታ ክንመጽእ ኣለና ብምባል ድማ ተበጊሰን።


ኣሰንያ ተመስገን

ናብ ካናዳ ምስ ምስተመልሳ፡ ገንዘብ ዝረኽባሉ መንገዲ ኣናደያ። ንወለደን፡

ገለ ነገር ኣዳልውልና’ሞ ብኣኡ ኣቢልና፡ ነቲ ደሊናዮ ዘለና ሓገዝ ዝኸውን ገንዘብ ክንእክብ

በላኦም።

ወለደን፡ በቲ ሓሳባተን ኣዝዮም ተሓጎሱ። ነቲ ዘንቀላኦ ሓሳብ ብምሉእ ዓቕሞም ንኽሕግዝወን ቃል ኣተውለን። ካልኦት፡ ኣብዚ ስራሕ ካብ ጐድነን ከይተፈለዩ ክሳብ መወዳእታ ዝተሓጋገዝወን ክልተ ማሓዙተን – ሳምራዊት ፊሊጶስን መኮነን ፊሊጶስን እዮም።

ወላዲአን ኣቶ ተመስገን ኣፈወርቂ፡ ሰራሕተኛ ናይ’ታ ኣብ ከባቢኦም እትርከብ ናይ ኮካ ኮላ ካምፓኒ ስለዝዀነ፡ ነቶም ትካል ሓሳብ ደቁ ምስ ኣካፈሎም፡ መስተ ብጥርሑ ከዳልውሉ ምዃኖም ኣፍለጥዎ። መግብን መስተን ከኣ ኣዳለዉ። ናይ ቀረባ መሓዙቶም ብምዕዳም፡ ነቲ ናይ ሓገዝ መደብ ኣካይደምዎ። ኣብቲ ዝተዳለወ መደብ እቲ ዝደለያኦ ሓገዝ ክረኽባ ክኢለን። ኣብ ውሽጢ 3 ሰዓታት ኣስታት 6,000 ሽሕ ዶላር ክእክባ ክኢለን። እቲ መደብ ልዕሊ’ቲ ዝሓሰብኦ’ዩ ከይዱለን። ነቲ ዝተኣከበ ገንዘብ እምበኣር፡ ኣብቲ ዝመደባኦ ግዜ ሒዘናኦ ደበኽ በላ። ነቶም ዘኽታማት ክህባኦም ስለ ዘለወን፡ እቲ ገንዘብ ብመንገዲ ሚኒስትሪ ዕዮን ሰብኣዊ ድሕነትን ኣታዊ ኰይኑ።


ኖቤል ተመስገን

ካልእ ኣብ ካናዳ እትርከብ፡ ኣስታት 32 ዝኣኽሉ ኣባላት ዘለውዋ ጕጅለ ሕድሪ’ውን፡ ነዞም መንእሰያት ብእወታ’ያ ጸልያቶም። ብሓፈሻ ጕጅለ ሕድሪ ብዛዕባ ሃገሮምን ባህሎምን ዝመያየጡላ ጕጅለ እያ። ዝተፈላለየ ሓገዛት ከኣ የበርክቱ። እዞም ኣርባዕተ መንእሰያት፡ ምስ ጕጅለ ሕድሪ ኰይኖም እውን፡ ዝተፈላለየ ሓገዛት የበርክቱ እዮም። እዚ ኣብ 2023 ዝገበርዎ ሓገዝ – ከም ተወሳኺ ብናቶም ተበግሶ ዝገበርዎ ሓገዝ እዩ።

ክረምቲ ምስ መጽአ’ውን፡ ገለ ነገር ክንገብር ኣለና ብምባል ተበጊሰን። ተማሃሪት ኣሰንያ ኣብ ሃማመተኤ ክትነጥፍ ከሪማ። ኖቤል ከኣ ኣብ መዓስከር ደንደን ዝርከቡ ጽጉማት ተማሃሮ፡ ናይ ቋንቋ ኢንግሊዝ ሓገዝ ክትህብ ከሪማ። ኣዲአን ወይዘሮ ሰናይት ገብረመድህን፡ ብዛዕባ እቲ ዝተኻየደ ንጥፈታት ኣመልኪታ ክትዛረብ እንከላ፡

እቲ ሓሳባተን ኣዝየ ፈተየዮ። ምኽንያቱ፡ ደቀይ ኤርትራውያን ክዀናለይ እየ ዝደሊ። ባህለን፡ ሕብረተ-ሰበን፡ ኮታ ኩሉ ፈሊጠን ክዓብያለይ እዩ ድሌተይ። እዛ ሃገር ብቐሊል ዋጋ ኣይኰነትን መጺኣ። ስለዚ፡ ንሕና’ውን ገለ እጃምና ከነበርክት ኣለና

ክትብል እያ ገሊጻትልና።

ብሓፈሻ፡ ኣብ ዕለታዊ ህይወትና ዕዉታት ንምዃን ኣብ እነካይዶ ጕዕዞ፡ ግዜ እቲ ቀንዲ መሳርሒና ካብ ኮነ፡ ንደቂ-ሰብ ክንህቦ ካብ እንኽእል ህያባት – እቲ ዝበለጸ ግዜና እዩ። እዞም ትስፉዋት ስድራቤት ከኣ፡ ተወሳኺ ትሕዝቶኦም ሒዞም ገጽ ናይቶም ዘኽታማት ክርእዩ እዮም ኣምሪሖም። ክቡር ግዜኦም ብምውፋይ፡

ኣጆኹም ኣለናልኩም የሕዋትኩም

ክብልዎም እንከለዉ፡ ኩሉ ነገር ከይበቐቑ ፍቕሮም ለጊሰምሎም።


ወ/ሮ ሰናይት ገብረመድህን

እዚ ነቶም ካብ ወለዶም ፍቕሪን ሓልዮትን ዘይረኸቡ ህጻናት፡ ዓቢ ውዕለት’ዩ። ካልእ ሰብ እውን እንተዀነ፡ ከቢድ ጸገማት ዘጓነፎ ህይወቱ ብስቓይ ዝተመልአ፡ ቃንዛኡ ዘካፍሎ፡ ክሳብ መወዳእታ ጽን ኢሉ ዝሰምዖ ዝሰኣነ ሰብ፡ ከምዚ ዓይነት ፍቕርን ሓልዮትን ምስ እነርእዮ፡ ሕጂ ንእሽቶ ካብ ግዜና ብምውፋይ ብጽሞና እንተ ሰሚዕናዮ፡ መንፈሱ ክንጽግኖ ኣይንሽገርን ኢና።

ብመንጽሩ ክንረኽቦ እንኽእል፡ ውልቃዊን ማሕበራዊን ክብርታትን ዓወታትን ኣዝዩ ብዙሕ እዩ። በቲ ኣብ ህይወትና ንእሽተይ ዝመስለና ካብ ግዜና ቀዳምነታት ብምሃብ ንሰባት ንምሕጋዝ እንህቦ ሓገዝ፡ ኣብ’ቶም ሰባት እነመዓራርዮ ክፋል ህይወት፡ እነብርሆ ጸላምን እንፈጥሮ ሰላምን መዘና ኣልቦ እዩ። ስለዝዀነ፡ ተራ ናይ’ዞም ስድራ ዕዙዝ እዩ።ነቶም ዘኽታማት ንምሕጋዝ ብኹፉት ልቢ፡ ገለ ነገር መላውጥቲ ከይተጸበዩ ስለ ዝተበገሱ፡ ኣብ ገጽ እቶም ስድራ ሰላም ዓሲሉ ኢና ርኢናዮ።

ስድራ ተመስገን ኣፈወርቂ፡ ብዘይ ዝዀነ ትጽቢት ሓገዞም ስለ ዘበርከቱ፡ ዝዓበየ መኽሰብ፡ ሕልናዊ ሩፍታ ረኸቦም እዮም። ኣብ ምሃብ ምስ እነድህብ ናይ ድሌት ሸውሃትና ስለ ዝጎድል ምሉእነት ይስመዓና። ብእኡ መጠን ድማ፡ ናይ ሓይልን ፍቕርን ህዋሳትካ እናዓበየ ይኸይድ።

ንኻልኦት ስለ ዝሓገዝና ሓይልና ተሓዲሱ

ብምባል እያ ኣሰንያ ተመስገን ነቲ ዝገበራኦ ሓገዝ ትጠቕሶ።

ካልኦት ካባኻ ብዝረኸብዎ ምትብባዕ፡ ገለ ለውጢ ከምጽኡ ምስ ጀመሩ፡ ጽልዋኻ ኣብዚ ዓለም ይጎልሕ። እቲ ዝኣከብዎ ገንዘብ፡ ኣብ ምኽንያት ዝተሞርኮሰ ሰለዝዀነ ከኣ፡ ንሓሳቦም ብዘይ ገለ ጸገም ክፍጽምዎ ክኢሎም። ብዝገበራኦ ቅዱስ ስራሕ፡ ኣብ ህይወተን ምሉእ ነብሰ-ምትእምማን ከምዝፈጥለን ኣየማትእን። እዞም ለጋሳት ስድራ-ቤት፡ ነዚ ዝተጠቕሰ እወታዊ ሸነኽ ብግቡእ ስለዝተረድእዎ፡ ብዘይ ነግ-ፈረግ እዮም ኣሰላሲሎምዎ።

ኣብ ከም’ዚ፡ተራ ወለዲ እውን ኣዝዩ ወሳኒ እዩ። ንኣብነት ነዘን ክልተ ሃበርም ተማሃሮ እዚኣትን፡ ወለደን – ምስ ዓደን፡ ቤተሰበን ሃገረን ከላልይወን ኢሎም እንተ ዘይመጽኡ፡ ነዚ ቅዱስ ሓሳብ ክሓስባ ኣምበይ ምኽኣላን ነይረን። ነቲ ሓሳብ ምስ ኣበገስኦ እውን፡ ኣጆኽን ዘንደቀይ ኢሎም ደገፋቶም እንተ ዘይበርክቱለን፡ እቲ ቕዱስ ሓሳባተን ሓሳብ ጥራይ ኰይኑ ምተረፈ ነይሩ።

ሎሚ ዓመት ኣርባዕተ ሰባት ኰይንና ከም’ዚ ካብ ገበርና፡ ኣብ ዝመጽእ ዓመት፡ 20-30 ሰባት ብምዃን፡ ዝበዝሐ ገንዘብ ንእክበሉ መንገዲ ክንፈጥር ኣለና

ብምባል፡ ነቲ ቕዱስ ሓሳባተን ብዝለዓለ መልክዕ ከካይድዎ መዲቦም ኣለዉ።

እዚ ንርእሱ፡ ንኻልኦት ጸለውቲ ንምዃን ኣዝዩ ደራኺ እዩ። ብፍላይ ነዞም ዘኽታማት፡ ኣብ መጻኢ ህይወቶም፡ ኣብ ትምህርቶም. . . ክሕግዞም ወይ ክልውጦም ዝኽእል ሓገዛት ከበርክታ ምዃነን እየን ሓቢረናና።

ሓሳብ ልብኽን የስምረልክን!