In the remote villages of Ethiopia’s Amhara region, 12‑year‑old Markos Abaye took a bold step that caught the world’s attention and won him a heart‑warming reputation. When the only chicken he owned fell seriously ill and wouldn’t respond to home remedies, the boy decided to bring her to the nearest hospital, believing it could treat both people and animals.
A nurse at Denbecha Primary Hospital—Umer Chane—recorded the moment and posted the clip on TikTok, where it amassed more than 770,000 views. Viewers were charmed by the boy’s tenderness, as he cradled the wheezing bird and pleaded for help, while the nurse calmly reminded him that doctors primarily treat human patients.
Markos was soon escorted to a nearby veterinary clinic, where the hen received treatment and began to recover. He later returned home, eager to split his saved eggs with the chicken, promising she could lay new ones.
The story’s resonance sparked humanitarian interest; a regional poultry company pledged to donate 100 chickens and training to Markos, hoping to turn his act of care into a sustainable livelihood. It also highlighted the lack of accessible veterinary services in rural Ethiopia, noting that Markos was unaware many vets were nearby.
At a time when conflict in Amhara had forced families to relocate, Markos had moved in with his uncle, one of the few who protected him and the bird. In an interview, the uncle described the boy’s attentiveness to the chicken’s footprints and efforts to protect her from ground holes.
