Abrahaley had left his war-torn country of Eritrea for Britain. Here he became a chartered accountant and met Meaza Turuneh, who had fled from Ethiopia, governed at the time by the brutal Dergue. They married. Meaza introduced Abrahaley to IofC, and soon Abrahaley took on IofC’s accountancy in the UK.
Before long he knew people active in IofC all over Britain and in many other countries. He gave himself wholeheartedly, helping develop IofC programmes for refugees, among Britian’s ethnic groups, and many others. He took his responsibilities seriously, ensuring that funds were used to best advantage, whether they were donated for IofC work in general or for a specific purpose.
His Orthodox faith was at the centre of his life, and he helped develop an Eritrean church in London. In the IofC centre he held a Bible study every week, and all were welcome. For a couple of years, he and the family lived in a flat at the IofC centre, where they regularly invited people to meals, keen to bring the spirit of a home to the centre. Many enjoyed their tasty Ethiopian food.
When his IofC employment ended, Abrahaley took on leadership in a large respite home in Oxford. As in London, he worked to bring the spirit of IofC into the home and was much appreciated by both staff and residents.
He was proud of his three children – Tesfa, Hannah and Martha – who are now making their contribution to British life. He gave his heart to Britain, but he was always deeply centred in his Eritrean culture.
