Mourning The Loss of Zemi Yenus

an advocate for autism awareness
Zemi Yenus founded the first center for children with autism in 2002 here in Ethiopia. Sadly whilst receiving treatment for covid related complications, she recently passed away. Zemi had a successful career as a beautician in the U.S. However, upon returning to Ethiopia in 1996, her son was diagnosed with autism.
Zemi founded the Nia foundation, established for supporting Children with Autism and related developmental disorders and specifically developed in an attempt to assist her son after finding no schools or facilities in Addis able to help him. While exploring options, she realised other parents faced the same challenges in raising their own children with autism. She also became aware that many children with Autism were considered cursed or possessed and often chained and locked away in dark rooms. Determined to end the stigma, exclusion and physical confinement that afflicted autistic youngsters, Zemi decided to stay in Ethiopia and made it her life’s purpose to educate the public about autism and to change the lives of parents and children with Autism. She also became a spokesperson for autism and wanted to educate people about the condition and to change the perception. In a message posted on Twitter, Ethiopia’s Health minister Dr. Lia Tadesse said she was “deeply shocked and devastated to learn we have lost Zemi Yenus to COVID-19” after describing her as “Kind and Passionate” person. I would like to express my deepest condolences to her family, colleagues and her loved ones,” Dr. Lia added.