I’m sure you remember the tragic story of Aschelew (As-cello), the Boy Without Arms.  People from all across America, actually people from all around the globe were made aware of his plight though Twitter and our website.  In brief, shortly after the death of both of his parents, through a series of tragic events, Aschelew lost both of his arms above the elbow.  His story has touched my life as well as thousands around the world.  Through your help, GHNI built him a new store and my friend Richard even ran a half-marathon to raise money to help his cause.

After years of hiding his deformity under the same red checkered blanket, we recently helped Aschelew receive his new prosthetic arms.  During my trip to Ethiopia, I spent my last day visiting Aschelew. With his new arms he has a new-found confidence. When I asked him how these arms have changed his life he said, “I can now wear normal clothes.”  Although you can’t tell from these pictures, he couldn’t stop smiling the whole day.

Next month Aschelew will start to pay back the loan he received from us to stock his store. He has gone from being a beggar to a businessman.

Because of his new arms that you helped him receive, we can no longer call him “The Boy Without Arms”.  Thank you for changing his life, his family and the whole society as they watch him succeed because of your involvement.