I am not African because I was born in Africa but because Africa was born in me🇪🇷

beau•ti•ful: pleasing the sense or the mind aesthetically #DURFO

All of these resonated with me. Happy Father’s Day to my immigrant dad. PC:@browngirltherapy

I recently learned about the amazing efforts of Project BAHRI, headed by Olympic swimmer Efrem Girmai, in coordination with the Eritrean swimming federation and hope sharing more information about this cause can garner more support from all of us living in the Diaspora. Although Eritrea has over 1,000km of coastline many Eritreans have not had the opportunity to learn how to swim, which has devastatingly resulted in the loss of too many lives. Project BAHRI was created with the aim to help make the next generation of Eritreans more water safe. They have a vision to eliminate these casualties by teaching the younger citizens of Eritrea basic swimming skills so that the ocean can safely be accessible to all. Hanna and Efrem Girmai are passionate about water safety and drowning prevention and have worked tirelessly along with many others to launch @Tohagerna, a nonprofit dedicated to saving lives by promoting awareness through water safety education and by offering free swim lessons to Eritrean youth. I hope you go show them love by visiting their website and if moved, by donating to the cause so that they can reach more students and make a difference in the lives of young Eritrean people.

You couldn’t have captured the essence of our country more beautifully😘 PC: @africanna88

my fondest childhood memories are from when my grandparents came to America for the very first time; I couldn’t have been older than 7. During their stay we had a pet rooster and hen (that laid an egg and my grandma while slightly teasing me for being scared showed me how to grab even with the rooster pecking at me), they experienced snow for the very first time and even joined in on our snow fight, we walked everywhere taking in parts of the neighborhood I had never even noticed, we watched Abi bless the house with areki and listened to endless jokes and stories from my Abehago. the short time we had with them left a lasting impression on me… Do you recall the first time you met or spent quality time with your grandparents?

When I say “I am a proud Eritrean”, all the sacrifices others made in order for me to be able to say those words aloud pass through my mind. The sacrifices of the men and women currently serving and protecting our borders- that have been doing so since they were 18 separated from their families and children for endless months at a time. The orphaned children of the jeganu tegadelti who gave their lives to ensure that we were free. The brave young men and women who flee Eritrea putting their lives at risk to find a way to provide opportunities for their large families back home. And so many many more… Today, I hope each of us can share a story about someone in your family or someone you know that contributed to your being able to call yourself an Eritrean and wave our beautiful flag. I will go first although many of my uncles and aunts served in the war and either were killed in battle or experienced extreme hardships…today I highlight one of my uncles who has fought and been serving at the borders of Eritrea since he was 18 years old, for over 35-40 years he has spent more time away from his family then with his family. I want to thank him for his service and pray that one day soon, he can live a life that is deserving of the sacrifices he has made that allow me to call myself Eritrean. Who do you want to thank this Eritrean Independence Day?

The amount of times I have watched this video! Elelelelelelel! History was made!🇪🇷🇪🇷🇪🇷🇪🇷 💪🏾@biniam_girmaye_hailu_

Eid Mubarak Eritrea. PC: @ghideonmusa

Looking out at Monday like…this is my opportunity to build the tomorrow I want💜

N’kedem belu, Deki Eri😍😋

Growing up, my parents always had me and my siblings performing at cultural shows for various International bazaars and events. Although I enjoyed participating in the dancing with my friends, it wasn’t until later in life that I embraced everything about the Eritrean culture. We are our children’s first and most important teacher. That is why I just adore seeing children born and raised in the Diaspora learn about our rich Eritrean history and culture early in life. The pride and sense of belonging it creates for them is unlike any experience they will every have. How many of y’all performed at Eritrean nights, Soccer festivals, Bazaars, Schools and more?