Between the shadows of then and the light of today, my journey stretches— as a woman, as a child.
Even though I walked through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, even though I crossed deserts of loss and rivers of pain, I never lost the deep and blazing faith that one day—one day—I would emerge into the light.
And here I am, I have come into the light. I stand in it, warmed by its glow, bathing in its radiance. In this light, so bright and wondrous, I raise my children, teaching them to shine for others, to know that they are light, to always remember—that even after the darkest night, when every ray of hope seems distant and impossible—dawn will always break.
My name is Kanchiwodia, 47 years old, mother of five wonderful children, and a professional photographer. I immigrated to Israel from Ethiopia in 1991, carrying with me a story I kept hidden deep in my heart for many years.
I have decided to open my heart and share my story, out of a deep understanding that there are many women, men, and children who have been hurt, whose innocence was trampled and whose worlds were destroyed—while those who harmed them continue their lives as if nothing happened. This thought gave me no rest.
I want everyone who has been hurt to know—you are not to blame for what happened to you. The one who should feel shame is not you, but the one who hurt you. Despite the deep pain, we are capable of doing everything to live good and full lives, because that is what we deserve.
I chose life—I chose not to let anyone or any trauma prevent me from truly living.
Choose goodness, too, and believe with all your heart that things will get better.
Even in the deepest darkness,
there is always light waiting for those who choose to keep on walking.
