Meles Deck became an orphan(孤儿) and soon joined in the1economy, along with about 10,000 other orphaned kids in Addis, Ethiopia(埃塞俄比亚). To survive, he2shoes and begged.
Then at nine, Deck met Meheret Worku. Worku flew from Canada to her hometown of Addis in3with her husband and their child, Rebecca. "Why aren't they wearing any shoes?" Rebecca asked4about kids in the street. It was her question that pushed Worku to5immediately.
Worku left Ethiopia in 1981 to study in Canada, and then graduated from University, began teaching, met Smillie and6a family. These opportunities were thanks to her7—a gift from her father, an Ethiopian general. When Worku's father died, his8wish was for his children to someday return to help their country.
All children can9school in Ethiopia, but many don't. Uniforms, books and other costs all10them to class. So the couple started from there. As the years went by, Worku continued to11between Canada and Ethiopia to ensure Deck and many others got12, housing and care.
Now 29, Deck has a job as a tour guide. "Some young people are13to drugs or they become pickpockets," he says. "If you have14, that's a good advantage to change your life." Of Worku, he says, "She's like my15."
Seeing Ethiopian orphaned kids grow stronger, Worku feels she's done right by her dad.
