In Memoriam : A Dialogue with Bayush
Tribute to Bayush Hagos Photo by Enndelbu
By Dr. Fikre M. Tsehai
Kind and compassionate she was once
Now but turned to a speck of dust;
Yet, her trails ring in beauty and permanence
And her spirit lives still alert.
When, at times, I behold her image
Her smile stands bigger than a pyramid,
“Be kind to one another” she says,
“Even at the threshold of death?” I ask,
And she vanishes…
Bayush or her ghost, I don’t know
Emerged from the clouds and dumb I stood,
“Speak! What seek ye?” Speak” I yelled.
“Even at the threshold of death, be kind”
It said and vanished.
“Your bold spirit lives in us
And, for kindness you’ve your noble blood spent
Ours is to keep, guard and protect it”
These words I uttered and from a restless ecstasy
Turned I to see her and that day….
Dr. Tsehai is the program manager at Canadian Lutheran World Relief
“Our heartfelt thoughts and sincere condolences are extended to the family, friends and many acquaintances of Bayush Hagos” The Afro News Team
Tribute to Bayush Hagos Photo by Enndelbu
A LIFE WELL LIVED – Bayush Araya-Hagos
A painful sudden loss. A character worthy of emulation.
The sudden death on September 1st, 2011 of Bayush Hagos, a respected Ethiopian African Community Worker, has deeply saddened us all. Our deep sorrow and sympathy is extended to you all in The Multicultural Family Services and Ethiopian Community over the death of Bayush
We learnt so much from her, she is gone but what she has taught us will remain forever fresh. With her expertise, she delivered her duties with joy, happiness and fulfillment, she provided invaluable knowledge and support, and was heavily relied upon by those she met as well as the community. We will always remember Bayush for making a pivotal contribution toViolence Against Women.
The world, nation and community was yet to benefit from her knowledge and yet we are left with her clarity, conviction and love for what she did, her wholehearted commitment to social justice, seasoned with her unique sense of humour, optimism and zest for life.
Throughout all those years, she played a fundamental role in building the community and forging its network of contacts and partnerships based on shared trust and a clear definition of its ultimate goal, to defend women and provide support for the struggles of communities and peoples for their rights and their ways of life.
Bayush liked to listen to what the people of these communities had to say about their lives and their struggles, which is why she is considered to be, more than an ‘African’ worker. She reflected a great deal on everything she heard, in silence, during her many travels and at home in and around her community.
Like few others, Bayush was able to pass on what she learned to a great many people: to those of us who had the tremendous privilege of meeting and working directly with her, to others who met, worked and lived with her at different times in her life, and to people from organizations, networks and movements in many different countries.
The world, the nation and community was yet to benefit from her knowledge. She is gone but not forgotten. We pray that she find solace wherever she is.
Nalda Callender Executive Director
