The Story of The Pastor:
Rev. Phexiro Tesfaye, born in West Wollega, in 1968 was loved and respected by his family, church and community. The Reverend started his spiritual training at Tsirha Zion in 2001, graduated from Pawulos College in 2011, and had been conducting services ever since. Well known for breaking the barrier, Rev. Tesfaye would conduct his sermons only in Afaan Oromo, allowing many Oromos to hear the word of God in their mother tongue, thus becoming well known for breaking the language barrier usually imposed on pastors by the Church. After travelling Oromia from west to east spreading the word of God, Rev. Tesfaye took comfort in being one of the only Afaan Oromo teaching pastors in Sabata City at Gabriel Church.
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The Reverend was known for his humility and patience regardless of the situation or circumstance he was in. Many of the Oromo youth in the church admired Rev. Tesfaye because of his passion and commitment to Orommuma. Unfortunately, some people didn’t take to his sermons in Afaan Oromo and on occasion would disrupt his teaching. On one occasion, some troubled individuals tormented him, screaming racial slurs and even chased the Reverend. He was able to get away, and immediately wrote down the altercation and submitted a report to the local police station. No follow up investigation was ever conducted.
On October 24th, 2020, Rev. Phexiro Tesfaye was on his way to the church when he was assaulted from behind. He was brutally beaten and left for dead. The Sabata City police are investigating his murder, but no arrest has been made. Rev. Phexiro Tesfaye leaves behind a loving wife, two children and a church that found refuge in his unique way of spreading the word of God.
“Speak out for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all the destitute. Speak out, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
Proverbs 31:8-9
“Humans of Oromia are being brutally beaten, raped, murdered and held in detention centers for just simply being Oromo. Follow us as we take you on a journey through their untold horror stories.”
Written by Nadiya Boru
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Oromo Legacy Leadership And Advocacy Association (OLLAA) has stood alongside with voiceless and faceless victims killed, falsely arrested, and forced into exile to become refugees at homes and abroad by the thousands. We believe the Oromo people, like others, deserve to be heard and to be understood for all the sacrifices they have paid and are still paying. Right now, we are truly disturbed by the daily news of human rights violations coming from Oromia!
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Our Solution & Plan
Our immediate quest is to show and pursue the international community that federalism is not up for debate and once again continue to speak up & build a platform for Oromos are being prosecuted. Donate to OLLAA as we:
- Hire professional human rights consultants to speak on behalf Oromos
- Hire researchers in Oromia to ensure accurate real-time information and to write professional reports in English so as to spread truthful & repressed information internationally.
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