In the small town of Gerar Ber, 42 kilometers north of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, a young boy named Tsegaye Kebede was born into a life of extreme poverty. The fifth of thirteen children, Tsegaye’s early years were defined by a constant struggle for survival. His father’s meager earnings from traditional carpeting work were not enough to support their large family, forcing young Tsegaye to contribute from a very early age.
“I know that many athletes say that they started from nothing, but to be honest, I do not think many of them were as poor as I was a few years ago,” Kebede recalls, his words painting a vivid picture of his humble beginnings.
The Daily Fight for Survival
Every day, before the sun rose, Tsegaye would venture into the nearby forests to collect firewood. He would then sell his gatherings at local markets, earning a mere ETB 2.50 (USD 0.30) per day – an amount that fell well below the World Health Organization’s poverty barrier of 1 USD per day.
“I would buy bread and some tea and would have only one meal a day,” Tsegaye remembers. “After that, I had nothing left in my pocket. I had to wake up the following morning to go back to work in order to survive. If I didn’t, there would be no food.”
To supplement his income and pay for his schooling, Tsegaye also worked as a herder. Despite these hardships, he managed to attend school, where he first developed an interest in sports.
Running Towards a Dream
It wasn’t until 1995 that Tsegaye’s life took a turn that would eventually lead him out of poverty. Watching kids from his neighborhood training sparked something in him. “I was not really serious about becoming an athlete,” he admits. “I just ran to stay fit and pass time.”
Little did he know that this casual interest would blossom into a remarkable career that would change his life forever.
From Poverty to Podiums
Tsegaye’s natural talent and relentless work ethic soon became apparent. He made his international debut at the Amsterdam Marathon in 2007, marking the beginning of an illustrious career in long-distance running. His performances in major city marathons and lucrative road races began to earn him significant prize money, transforming his financial situation dramatically.
Today, Tsegaye Kebede is a renowned marathon runner, with accolades including a bronze medal at both the Olympic Games and the World Championships. He has set course records and earned over USD 100,000 in prize money in a single year.
A Life Transformed
From the boy who once survived on a single meal a day, Tsegaye has become a symbol of resilience and hope. “I had nothing,” he reflects, contrasting his past with his current life of relative luxury. His journey from extreme poverty to international athletic success serves as an inspiration to many, proving that with determination and hard work, it’s possible to overcome even the most challenging circumstances.
Tsegaye Kebede’s story is more than just a tale of athletic achievement. It’s a testament to the human spirit’s capacity to endure, to dream, and to triumph against all odds. His journey from the forests of Gerar Ber to the finish lines of the world’s most prestigious marathons continues to inspire athletes and non-athletes alike, reminding us all of the power of perseverance.
Image by By Maasse_adam2007.jpg: Original uploader was Ronald at nl.wikipedia(Original text : Ronald)derivative work: MachoCarioca (talk) – Maasse_adam2007.jpg, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10134054
