Of Beetles and Angels

Haileb is born

Apr 17, 1934

Haileb is born in 1934, in the town of Serya, in Eritrea. His father died shortl after his birth and soon after his mother, became ill and was no longer able to care for him.

Haileb leaves his home at the monastery

Apr 17, 1943

As a child Haileab moves into a monastery and spends several years there until he leaves in 1943 to, at age 9, and moves in with a realtive.

The Doctor flees to Sudan

Apr 17, 1979

Haileab is forced to leave his home, family and country man in fear for his safety, after not reporting to headquarters.

Arrival at Umsagata

Mar 29, 1980

The Asgedom family left their home in Ethiopia and walked through the dessert to reach Sudan. They were fleeing war between their country Eritrea. Mawi was 3 years old at this time.

Heading to America

Mar 30, 1983

After 3 year of living at the refudgee camp, The World Reflief Foundation, a U.S.-based Christian Organization sponsored the Asgedom family. And were now headed to the United States.

Thank you

Mar 30, 1983

Mawis brother was born, Hntsa-Eyesus, also known as Temesgen, or "Thank you". Mawis father proclaimed that they were thankful to have made it to america safely and were thankful for their new life.

Attending school at Longfellow Elementary

Apr 3, 1985

Mawi, Mehret, and Tewolde attend Lognfellow Elementary, where they are met with much opposition, but they live through it and also learn many lessons from it.

Kiros reunites with Mawi and Tewolde

Oct 31, 1987

Krios, the friend from he sudanese village, joins Mawi and Tewoldes in Wheaton. Although they did not see Krios very often, the boys always come together on Halloween to continue their mischievous ways,

Changing Our Ways.

Jul 1, 1988

Mawi and Tewolde considered changing their mischievous ways after their friends and them had taken a parking meter from a nearby park, where they spent many of their days watching and playing basketball amd were mearly caught in the process.

Developing a Heart (Libee migar)

Jan 12, 1989

At age 13, Tewolde was going through a transformation and before long he would teach Mawi what it truly meant to develop a heart, by showing compassion for the those in need.

Mawi and Tewolde find work

Apr 12, 1990

Mawia nd Tewolde find work with a friend that lived down the street from them, they made sure they were being paid "under the table", to ensure no one knew, because if they government found out they feared the wages would be deducted from their government assistance.

Tewolde is but a memory

Apr 12, 1993

Tewoldes life comes to a tragic end, his dreams never being fulfilled, and Mawi no longer having an older brother to look up to.

Mawi is Accepted into Harvard

Apr 23, 1995

After being encouraged by so many, Mawi finally applies to some of the most prestige colleges in the nation. And ecstatically accepts a full-tuition scholarship to Harvard University.

Haileab never gets the chance to see Mawi graduate.

Apr 23, 1997

Haileab, Mawis father, life was snatched from him one night as he rode his bike near their home. Like Tewolde, Mawis fathers life was taken by a drunk driver.

Mawi graduates from Harvard

Apr 23, 1999

As dreams come to realization, Mawi graduates from one the most reputable Universities in the country. He does it all while remembering where he came from.