Mussie Zerai

Born in Asmara, Zerai grew up with seven siblings and was raised by his grandmother; his mother died when he was five and his father, who at one point was arrested by the Secret Police, fled the country to Italy.

At age seventeen, Zerai traveled to Rome where he applied for asylum and with the aid of a British priest, obtained a residence permit.

[1][2] His first years in Italy were spent sorting newspapers and working on a fruit stand, while helping his priest as a translator and assistant, especially supporting immigrants & refugees to obtain identification, residency permits, health cards, pensions, and tax registration.

In 2006, Zerai co-founded Agenzia Habeshia, an organization which works to pursue the interest of asylum seekers and refugees.

In 2018, he returned to Rome to carry out the task of European coordinator and prepare the way for the appointment of the apostolic visitor for the faithful of the géèz rite in Europe, the USA and Canada.