The late Tedros Dagnew Weldegergis, originally from Eritrea, passed away unexpectedly on May 27th, 2024, at the age of 50. Residing in St. Paul, Minnesota, Tedros had immigrated to the United States with the aim of supporting his siblings and their families back in Africa. At the time of his death, Tedros was also financially supporting his nephew in Uganda, who is awaiting approval to come to the United States.
Tedros’ cousin, Netsanet Semere, has organized a GoFundMe campaign to assist with funeral costs and support the family during this tragic time. The campaign, "Support for Tedros’ Family in Tragic Times," was created on June 2nd, 2024, and has raised $345 of its $25,000 goal from six donations. Netsanet explained, "Upon concluding this fundraiser, I will deliver the funds to my mom who will travel to Eritrea with my cousin so that he may be buried in our homeland. This is customary in Eritrean culture and is an expensive undertaking."
The funds raised will cover funeral expenses, the cost to bring Tedros to Eritrea, and provide financial support to his siblings in Eritrea. "We are urging every person with a heart of compassion and the means to help to support this family. Please contribute what you can and pray for the family," Netsanet pleaded.
On Facebook, Tedros’ cousin Netsanet Matiwos shared the heartbreaking news, saying, "Hello Facebook family. My cousin passed away unexpectedly on Monday. He was supporting his siblings back in Africa and we are asking for help for his funeral and his family. If you can donate at all, it will be greatly appreciated. Thank you." Other family members also expressed their grief, with Biniam Taddese Fshaley and Micheal Semere offering heartfelt messages in Tigrinya.
Tedros Dagnew Weldegergis was a pillar of support for his family, and his loss has left a significant void. The community’s support through the GoFundMe campaign and shared memories on social media highlight the far-reaching impact Tedros had on his loved ones.
Note:This post was written and edited by Ethan Lewis, based on their expertise and research. It is intended for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. We welcome your feedback and questions on this content. Please feel free to contact us.