Abo Mehaber’s (AboM’s) Foundational Beliefs
Established on April 13, 2003 in McLean, VA, Abo Mehaber (AboM) is a self-help, non-profit and kinship-based association of the r family that traces its roots to Moja. Moja is the name of our ancestral village that is located in the highlands of what is known as the Amhara Region of Ethiopia. Disproportionate to their population size, the Mojas have contributed many illustrious civilian and military leaders, warriors, scholars, diplomats, farmers, businessmen and professionals crucial to the modern development of Ethiopia.
AboM believes in strengthening and preserving the unity of the greater Moja kinship and the extended family by marriage and continuing the legacy of its ancestors. This is attainable by promoting creative and collaborative solutions to our common challenges and problems in Ethiopia as well as in the wider Diaspora.
Consequently, AboM provides a forum where family members can better acquaint each other, and are able to support each other in good and bad times. It is a place where knowledgable elders can transfer the family’s tradition, lore and wisdom to the younger generation and nurture its maturity. AboM is cognizant that the youth has been abruptly disconnected from its cultural traditions and family roots through violent revolutions and migration. Ultimately, we are also mindful that the dynamism of this association is directly related to its ability to attract and inform the youth.
Thus, AboM recognizes the value of educating and connecting the next generation with its Ethiopian cultural, social, linguistic, religious and moral heritage and identity. Otherwise, members who have been scattered throughout the Diaspora risk not knowing their roots and each other. They may even marry another member of the same family group. To prevent such disaster from happening, and to maintain the dynamism of our lineage in the modern world, AboM associations have been established in Addis Ababa, Los Angeles and in the larger Washington DC metropolis.
It has often been said that those who do not learn from their history, and fail to appreciate and defend their real identities, are destined to drift in confusion and repeat past mistakes. Thus, one of the central roles and responsibilities of AboM is to collect/restore the weathered treasures of our esteemed precursors and to rebuild the damaged houses of worship/churches (Kidus Lalibela Church) established by our parents in previous centuries. This responsibility includes the rehabilitation of their ancestral burial sites in Kechema, Adama, Ethiopia. This monumental project has already been generously spearheaded by AboM members Ato Petros and Woiz. Hamelmal Aklilu. The membership of AboM cannot be bystanders in this venture and must contribute according to their means and abilities.
To accomplish the foregoing and to discuss relevant matters as they arise, the general membership of AboM will meet every three months i.e. in January, April, July and October at 2:00 PM sharp. Members shall make all reasonable effort to appear on date and time scheduled. The meetings are conducted democratically and each member has one vote to contribute or make a difference. Members are expected to arrive on time and participate equally in the discussions and decision-making processes of AboM.
Finally, we must each bear in mind the following principle: it is the commitment of the membership as a whole that determines the capacity and survival of AboM beyond us.