ASFAHA HADERA

1949 - 2025

HADERA--Asfaha. Asfaha Hadera, 75 years old, passed away February 17, 2025 at his home in Harlem, NY. Born in Mekelle, Ethiopia on March 15, 1949, Hadera became a well-known and hands-on expert on matters of social and public health issues facing immigrants and refugees and a champion of women and girls back home. He experienced first-hand the realities of refugee life, leaving his home country in 1977 for refugee camps in the Sudan before immigrating to the United States in 1979. Hadera founded the organization known as the Committee to Aid Ethiopian Refugees in 1981, which evolved to become African Services Committee (ASC) in 1993. As Co-Executive Director, Hadera was recognized by many political, social and public health institutions as a major influence behind the oldest and largest African health services organization in the United States. The organization has served over 10,000 clients each year through its Harlem-based health and social service programs. Under his tenure, ASC developed operations throughout Ethiopia and established groundbreaking HIV testing and care programs providing free VCT services to over 30,000 people per year. Hadera's efforts included collaboration between ASC and other community-based organizations in the U.S. and Africa to further democratization and human rights. The first ASC refugee office operated out of a small space in The Community Church of New York, eventually moving to larger offices on West 127th Street in Harlem. Hadera served at ASC until his retirement in 2024. Simultaneous to establishing African Services Committee, Hadera worked at the United Nations in New York as a Documents Clerk from 1981 until 2007. Hadera was a 2004 winner of the Emigrant Foundation Award and recipient of the 2005 Ronald Reagan Gold Medal. An Executive Committee Member of the NAACP, Hadera was recognized by the Congressional Black Caucus for his successful advocacy for increased African refugee resettlement quotas in the U.S. Hadera, who worked tirelessly and always with enthusiasm, received a proclamation from the New York City Council for outstanding service to the community. Hadera spoke Amharic, Tiggriggna, and English. Asfaha Hadera was one of 11 children of mother Ilfenesh Mersha and father Hadera Abraha, a priest in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Asfaha was preceded in death by siblings Fitsum Hadera, Embanesh Hadera, Gehsesso Hadera, Merhetab Hadera and Mulu Hadera. His remaining siblings, Nega Hadera, Atakilt Hadera, Fikre Hadera, Zimita Hadera and Tsgie Hadera, reside throughout the United States and Ethiopia. Asfaha, survived by his beloved wife Kim Nichols, loving daughter Ilfenesh Hadera and her beau Alexander Soroken, and devoted son Fithi Asfaha. He also leaves behind his mother-in-law Ann Nichols, many sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law and dozens of nieces and nephews. Asfaha's humor was his superpower, his twinkling eyes and quick wit disarmed strangers, his generosity bridged divides, and his openheartedness turned exiles into family. Asfaha never forgot where he came from, and that memory fueled his humanity. Services to be held at Christ Chapel at The Riverside Church, 490 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10027 Saturday, February 22, 2025 at Noon. The Reverend Adriene Thorne, Senior Minister, The Reverend Charlene Wingate, Officiant. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Afrikin International Services, the Ethiopia successor of African Services Committee. www.afrikininternational.org