Texas School Community Surprises Beloved Crossing Guard With Funds to Afford Prosthetic Leg Repair
He lost his leg as a child soldier in Ethiopia, the school's principal said.
— -- The Harvard Elementary School community in Houston, Texas, has come together to help a beloved crossing guard afford repairs to his prosthetic leg.
The crossing guard, 42-year-old Fetene Yezengaw, has manned the intersection near the school for nearly a decade, according to Principal Laura Alaniz. She said that he has brought "so much laughter and joy" to the children who pass by him every day.
"The disability he has -- you don't even see it because he's so positive," Alaniz told ABC News today.
Yezengaw lost his left leg decades ago as a child soldier in Ethiopia, according to Alaniz.
"He was recruited at just 15 years old," the principal said. "One day, he stepped on a landmine and his entire leg was blown off. After that, he went into a refugee camp and was granted political asylum to come here. Now, he uses a prosthetic piece."
But Yezengaw has recently been struggling with the prosthesis, Alaniz said, explaining that it is in need of repair.
![PHOTO: The parents and friends of students at Harvard Elementary School in Harvard, Texas, have raised over $5,500 to help repair a beloved crossing guard's prosthetic leg.](https://s.abcnews.com/images/Lifestyle/HT-crossing-guard-01-as-161118_16x9_992.jpg)
After learning about the problem with the prosthetic, a group of girls at the school's Girls on the Run club decided to dedicate their community service project to Yezengaw.
The girls organized a bake sale for today, and one of the girls' parents -- Karen Johnson -- started a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for the repair of the prosthetic.
More than 100 people have donated to the online fundraiser, which has surpassed its goal of $5,500.
"Everyone just loves Fetene and really wanted to help him," Johnson told ABC News today. "We've received so much more than we expected."
![PHOTO: The parents and friends of students at Harvard Elementary School in Harvard, Texas, have raised over $5,500 to help repair a beloved crossing guard's prosthetic leg.](https://s.abcnews.com/images/Lifestyle/HT-crossing-guard-02-as-161118_16x9_992.jpg)
The extra money raised will be going to Yezengaw to help him pay for "future physical therapy and medical needs" that come with having a prosthesis, said Johnson, an occupational therapist.
"He deserves this," Johnson added. "He is the kindest, sweetest man. He makes kids feel like he's their best friend."
Yezengaw told ABC-owned station KTRK in Houston that the kind surprise brought him to tears.
"It's really awesome," he said.