In this new Humans of Uprise story, meet Dawit Kebede! Dawit, who lives in Ward 6, obtained 16 solar panels from Uprise through DC’s Solar for All program. Dawit has lived in his home since the late 90s after immigrating to the United States in the early 90s, and has watched Washington, DC go through many changes over the years.
From Ethiopia To Germany To New York City To The DMV
Dawit was born in Ethiopia, but left the country for Germany during the Ethiopian Civil War. In 1990 he moved to New York City, where his aunt was a diplomat for the United Nations. But Dawit found New York too crazy. “I said, I’m going to lose my mind here,” he says. “I cannot stay here.”
He had a friend in Silver Spring, so he moved down to the area. “30 years ago, Silver Spring looked like a rural area, no buildings, nothing, it’s very quiet,” Dawit says. “I said, okay, this will work.”
He moved into his Southeast home in Barney Circle 26 years ago. “It was not like this,” Dawit says. “You see those buildings, they were not here. No. It was a shabby little house for the soldiers. And next to me, my neighbors got this shell, this literal shell. Literally living in a box. But look now.”
Dawit says DC’s changes have been for good, transforming it into an international city. “Those days, well, to live in this area, especially, you had to sign your will every day,” he says. “That bad. I lost a lot of friends, neighbors, church friends, but that’s what life is. You are in a better world now, believe me. Try to make it better. More patience, more understanding, and more discipline.”
DC Highlight: Accessible Clean Energy Through Solar for All
Dawit initially heard about solar from an environmental scientist neighbor, and then one of Uprise’s canvassers knocked on his door and Dawit started the process of getting solar for his roof. He appreciated Uprise’s excellent customer service, particularly from project manager Leandro Mateus and permitting associate Jesus Lucas.
“[I would] bug them about everything, but it’s just fun to talk to them,” Dawit says. “Really they are so lovely.”
And Dawit was able to make use of the District’s accessible solar policies to benefit from clean energy. DC’s Solar for All program, run by the Department of Energy & Environment and the DC Sustainable Energy Utility, funded his six kilowatt solar array, which started operating in September 2024.
Building A Better World For Future Generations
Dawit looks forward to a better world for future generations after facing unimaginable challenges in his life. He was young during the Communist revolution in Ethiopia, spent time in prison, and had family members die. After escaping to Germany, he received asylum in the United States, where he’s lived ever since.
“It was not easy,” Dawit says. “It was traumatic. Now I say, this is life. Whatever comes in life, you are not the only one. Just don’t give up. Push as much as you can. God is helping you.”
In DC, Dawit worked for the International Monetary Fund until 2012. He became seriously ill for a while, and today works part-time for Uber to accommodate physical challenges.
“This is my philosophy: the next generation must have a better life than us,” Dawit says. “I’m very optimistic that we will get better. Really, I am 100% sure that if we think beyond the box, beyond ethnicity, color, faith, religiosity, we can make a better world for them. It’s our responsibility to fight back all the junk from what we carry. From society, from theology, from psychology, whatever it is. No, I’m not going to pass this to my child. But everybody has to take responsibility. It’s not going to happen without that.”
Dawit attends a church that meets in the historic Atlas Performing Arts Center on H St NE, and has seen that responsibility in action there.
“It starts from us, and just being a little bit open,” Dawit says. “You know, I see it in our church. People are coming from all walks. A homeless guy came to us. He did not smell good; he wasn’t taking care of his hygiene. He came and we would offer him coffee and let him into the service. And the third time when he came, people gave him lunch. He took it very seriously. I mean, we gave him a chance. He started helping himself. If somebody’s really struggling, if you need a little nudge, I’m a human being, we can all help out.”
And he draws inspiration from an unusual source: the rodents that coexist with us in our cities. “I wonder sometimes how human beings can survive. When I see mice, rats, they’re a community. Don’t think I’m crazy,” he says, laughing. “New York City had a campaign to destroy all rats and mice. And they survive. How can they survive? Human beings are very dangerous animals. They resist, they are here. You are better than mice. You’re a human being. So don’t give up, just fight back. It’s a very amazing journey really. You see, whatever it is, we’ll do it and die one day. If you live like Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, so much wealth, so much comfort, they die. The question is how you live today.”
Build A Better World With Accessible Solar
If you’re ready to add your roof to the growing numbers of neighbors going solar, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve been an approved contractor for Solar for All for three years running. Even if you don’t qualify for Solar for All, we also offer multiple financing options to make solar attainable, such as our no-cost option. We’re on a mission to make solar accessible for everyone! Get in touch here or call us at (202) 750-5718.
And be sure to check out other Humans of Uprise stories here!