By VANESSA VALENZUELA
CHRISTMAS has come early for a Keilor Downs man who opened his heart and home to five of his grandchildren after the tragic death of their parents.
Gebre Gebremarian welcomed his grandchildren with open arms after he discovered they were struggling to get through each day without the help of their mother and father.
Mr Gebremarian’s daughter had fallen ill and passed away two years ago following the unfortunate death of her husband in 2007, forcing the children to fend for themselves in Africa.
Mr Gebremarian, who has two children of his own, returned to his home country earlier this year and decided to bring the five grandchildren to Melbourne.
“I went back to Ethiopia and found my daughter’s kids, and then I came back to Australia and asked for help to get them over here,” Mr Gebremarian said.
“I knew I had to get my daughter’s kids, and we all live very peaceful together. I look after them like they are my own.”
The household is now full to the brim, with nine family members living in the small unit, including Mr Gebremarian, his wife and two kids.
“I have a responsibility for my family, so it’s not difficult for me, I love them like they are my kids and my life has been easier since they came here,” he said.
“But because I look after them, I have a problem. We live very crowded together and it’s hard.”
His three youngest grandchildren, Lete, Tsadikan and Gebre, attend St Albans Primary School where they are slowly learning how to speak English and making new friends.
Assistant Principal Tracey Quigley has been helping the family since they first arrived in Australia almost five months ago.
“They came from a rural village and weren’t going to school. They haven’t had a lot of experiences there compared to what they have had here,” she said.
Last month Ms Quigley nominated 11-year-old Gebre to take part in Fox FM’s $200k for 200 kids fundraiser which vowed to donate $1,000 to families suffering financially this holiday season.
“Because I’ve been working with the family around this and got to know the grandfather, I thought of them when I heard it advertised on the radio so I nominated them,” Ms Quigley said.
Gebre and his family were overwhelmed when the station agreed to give them $1,000 to spend on Christmas gifts this year.
Mr Gebremarian, who is retired, said the money would help create an unforgettable first Christmas for his five grandchildren.
“It makes a big difference. It has made them so happy and I can buy them things now like Christmas gifts,” he said.
Ms Quigley said the school is also hoping to help Mr Gebremarian find a bigger house for his family and create a better life for the children.
Anyone interested in helping the Gebremarian household this Christmas can contact St Albans Primary School on 9366 2832.