I walked inch by inch, starting from the Saint Gebriel church, along Tiyet Bet, down to my village, reaching a point where I could no longer recognize the exact location of our house. The only thing that helped me spot it was the nearby river. The changes were so overwhelming that, from the place where our house once stood, I could see Bata Church—something that would have been impossible before.

What truly surprised me was that the only buildings left untouched were the churches and schools, like Ethiopia Andenet and Bata School near Tiyet Bet. They claim they didn’t touch the schools, but the students attending there were relocated 20 km away. How could they possibly commute to attend their classes? This is the worst lie I’ve ever heard. It feels like they’re going to demolish everything soon.

I can’t even begin to describe the pain I felt witnessing the destruction of Kebele 18, 23, and 27—the once-famous Kazanchis. It’s heartbreaking. All I can do now is wish for God’s speed.