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Changing Perspectives

By Mariam Admasu

I am back in Ethiopia in less than a year. Last year I was in Ethiopia as a graduation gift from my parents. I was doing a lot of traveling, hanging out with family and spending money. This year, I am here for reasons far beyond that. I am working for a non-profit organization, and in the process, learning about myself, my culture, and life in Ethiopia – I have seen myself growing and becoming better person in all aspects. New year, new me.

 

We’re on our second month now and I’ve never been here longer than three months. In these two months I have found myself outside of my comfort zone. Prior to being a fellow, whenever I came to Ethiopia, I would stay with my family and be surrounded by family all the time. My cousins had cars so I

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by Mariam on 23 Sep 2016

#Beye’aynetu

By Kidist Tesfaye

The Variety Combination

Twenty-one years later, I feel as if I have finally made it home. Home to the motherland where I was born. Home to the people and the stories I yearned to hear about while growing up as a little girl in Minnesota. Home to the roots of my identity. I’ve always had a positive perspective on the beauty of my country. I spent a lot of my life defending and vocalizing my Ethiopian identity

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by Kidist on 16 Sep 2016

Coming to Ethiopia

By Bethlehem Mesfin

Many of us grow up in households that ingrain this idea of the stable life – getting a job, then marriage, and finally, a family. The End. It wasn’t until my trip to Ethiopia in November of last year, that I realized I needed something different to happen in my life. As I boarded the plane to return to the States, I had a strange feeling that I would be returning very soon. It freaked me out. My only other experiences with the country had either been for the burial of my mother or the illness of her mother.

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by Bethlehem on 26 Aug 2016

Addis Perceptions

By Aster Mengesha Gubay

 
It’s a Thursday. I wake up to the sounds of neighborhood roosters (my new alarm clock), gather my things, and proceed to my morning stroll through our top view neighborhood to catch a ride to work. All the while, ignoring stares at my fire red rain boots and smiling to myself because I couldn’t believe I was really back in Ethiopia.

In a span of thirty minutes my smile disappeared, I had accidentally stepped in a big puddle of chika (mud), and gotten into a “friendly” argument with my taxi driver. He couldn’t understand why I left America for Ethiopia – apparently saying I wanted to serve my country was not a fitting answer. Then, I slipped on the front steps of my office building with everyone around me reaching out and yelling “ayezosh!”

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by Aster on 04 Aug 2016

The Hero’s Journey

By Tewodros Asfaw

Bole, Addis Ababa

There was one resolution that I held for 2015. I didn’t know how I would make it happen, when it would happen, or how long I would stay, but I knew I had to go to Ethiopia. After more than a decade of being away, I just knew I had to go back. Life was calling me home. With the start of a new year, I opened my heart to welcome new possibilities in my life and to embrace what came my way with no resistance.

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by Tewodros on 06 Jan 2016

Trust the Process

By Naome Seifu

Sneek peek of the website work I’ve done with Tsehai Loves Learning

 
As the Fellowship comes to a close, I was recently offered a position that would prolong my stay in Ethiopia. For this new position, I am required to complete a short-term training in the United Arab Emirates. So, I’m currently writing this blog in Dubai! Never in a million years would I have imagined myself sitting in a hotel room in Dubai blogging about my experience as a Fellow.

On August 17, 2015, I flew across the ocean to meet Ethiopia. I spent months working during my Fellowship with Tsehai Loves Learning and networking, trying to answer the question I kept asking myself: What is next for me, God?

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by Naome on 23 Dec 2015

Honor In My Burden

By Ebanezare Tadele

It’s very easy to get caught up in the treadmill of work in America. Always on the go, never a moment to reflect. On to the next. Being in Ethiopia makes me reconsider and reprioritize my beliefs and perspectives. It forces me to open up my eyes, mind, and heart to what I hold dear.

I never considered myself a privileged person. In the U.S., I am seen only as a young Black male who lives in the inner city. My parents do anything and everything to make sure that their children are provided for, and when you live like that, there isn’t much room for more. This stops being the case, the moment I step foot onto Ethiopian soil.

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by Ebanezare on 11 Dec 2015

Misplaced No More

By Liat Desta

Liat and a kid from the Megabi Skate program

 
This is home. This country has been more and meant more to me in the past few months than the country that I grew up in for the past 22 years. It has given me a sense of independence, where I’m no longer dependent on my mom, sister and uncle. I’m here, I’m alone… but I’m surviving. This is home.
 

“This is home.”

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by Liat on 27 Nov 2015

Beauty and Selfies

By TEWODROS ASFAW

Running on the mountains behind Jomo, the same mountains many famous Ethiopian runners practice on!

 
When I first started my journey in Ethiopia, I expected it to be challenging and inspirational. In many ways, it’s been both of those things, and so much more. I remember the surreal feeling of actually being in the country I was born in for the first time in over a decade and the mixed emotions of excitement, nervousness, and curiosity.

I wanted to adjust to life in Addis as authentically as possible; I wanted to go out of my comfort zone and really make the experience about personal growth. I found that each time I left the house, whether it was getting lost and walking in the rain to get home from the gym, or learning the art of bargaining when shopping to avoid overpaying because I look “American”, or taking a taxi and having my phone stolen, there was always a new adventure awaiting me. In all the experiences I’ve had so far in Ethiopia, there has been a consistent theme of peace and community.

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by Tewodros on 30 Oct 2015

Ethiopia – The Good, The Bad, and The Funny

By Naome Seifu

 
My whole life, I’ve dreamed of coming to Ethiopia. I was born and raised in the U.S and this trip was my very FIRST time coming to Ethiopia.

A lot has happened, and I can honestly say I’m becoming a new woman. I’m learning who I am and how I can better myself. I’ve always loved life, but I’m appreciating the life I’ve been given. It’s the simple things that I take for granted.

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by Naome on 16 Oct 2015