Ayaan — if you see this, your family in Ethiopia is looking for you

In 2000, my sister Ayaan left everything behind in Dire Dawa. We stayed in touch for a while, then silence. The drought and famine left us with no choice but to seek help elsewhere. Ayaan, then 27, left with the blessing of the whole family. We stayed in touch through phone calls and the occasional letter. Ayaan spoke of life in Minneapolis — the challenges of adapting, the loneliness, but also the small victories. The last time we heard anything was 2009. The phone number was disconnected and we had no other way to reach them. Ayaan was the kind of person who would give you the shirt off their back. Ayaan would be around 53 today. heavyset, with a booming laugh and gentle eyes. Sometimes I hear their voice in my dreams and wake up reaching for the phone. Please, if you know anything about Ayaan, reach out. Our family back home is waiting.