If you think back to when you were six years old, how was life back then and how did you imagine your future at that time?
I had a lot of fun living in the SOS Children’s Village with my SOS mother and my nine other brothers and sisters in Addis Ababa. I was busy playing with my friends, hugging my mum and helping in the kitchen. The best thing for me was going to school. I would have loved to go there even on weekends. My dreams and imagination of the future did not have anything to do with what I am right now, which changed from day to day. One day I dreamed of being a doctor, the next day I would imagine being an engineer.
At age 17, you were accepted into the Hermann Gmeiner International College in Ghana. What did that mean to you and how do you remember your days there?
I was really excited when I learned that I was accepted. It is one of the best schools in the region and maybe even on the continent, so it really meant a lot to me. That college has done so much for me as a woman. All my professional and personal values and ethics can be traced back to my experience at this college. Apart from the excellent academics they teach, the school really makes one aware of the situation of the less fortunate people out in the community. As part of our compulsory social activities, we helped in different social projects, participated in literacy outreach programmes and played with street children. These experiences really broaden one's horizon.
Zenaye, preparing tea - Photo: SOS Archives
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Having graduated from the College, you went to study Management Information System in the U.S. There is a wide cultural difference between Africa and North America. In your opinion, what are the biggest differences in the typical role of women, and which of these roles do you prefer?
The role of a woman in Africa is to take care of the family. She has a lot of weight on her shoulders - being concerned about the well-being of the nuclear family as well as the extended family. All women feel a strong sense of care, support and belonging to the family and to the community. In America the word “I” is a lot more important than “we”.
In their culture everything is about self-development, everybody is busy running around to enrich themselves and the nuclear families, if that is the case. The African people are a lot more concerned about their community and family; they literally cannot survive without their community. For me as an African woman, to care for people in the community and to better their lives are the values I treasure most.
Our culture and traditions will not allow a woman to forget about the others.
But from the Americans, I actually learned to be independent and autonomous in my thoughts. I try to balance the two different ways of living. I do not want to be too selfish; nor do I want to try to help everybody and in the end give up on myself.
After finishing your studies, you actually returned to Africa. Many other students end up staying in the U.S. Did you never think about that?
Yes, of course I wanted to stay in the U.S. This was mainly because in Africa one can have the best qualification possible, but without knowing the right people one still will not get a job. The unemployment rate is just too high. In the U.S., one can make a lot of money with the right qualifications and send money back home to one's brothers and sisters.
So I really don’t blame anybody for staying. Luckily for me, I got a job offer to teach at the International College in Ghana. The decision to accept or decline this offer was perhaps the most difficult of my life. But it turn out to be the best decision I have ever made. My contribution to the corporate America would have been like a drop of water in the Atlantic Ocean, but in Africa my contribution is like the same drop of water in a tea-cup.
What is the situation of women in Ethiopia regarding education?
Growing up in Ethiopia, I have been very fortunate and lucky. Because of the support from SOS Children’s Villages and the possibilities for education, I never felt disadvantaged by being a girl.
The general situation in Ethiopia, however, is quite different. More than 70% of the population live in very remote areas. Many girls don’t complete their basic education because of early marriage, pregnancy or because they have to take care of the household. Big families can’t afford to educate all their children, so they will always give priority to the boys. Few get the chance for a formal education and many are taken out of school after primary school.
In Europe and the U.S., emancipation is a very hot and well-discussed topic. What does it mean to you?
It is all about equal human rights and I see the importance of it. But where is the practical value? I think it is in our African tradition to over-emphasise all these things we are getting from Europe. To my mind, here in Africa we don’t see it as such a hot topic, because we feel we have more practical issues to tackle. Education is a lot more crucial to me. Education really unlocked my potential for being what I am today. Education is the hope for Africa--even to eradicate poverty. Education of women plays a major role in that. We say, "If you educate a woman, you educate a whole community," because an educated woman will always make sure her children will get the same education she received.
What are your hopes for the future?
I am really hoping the UN Millennium Development Goals will be a reality in Africa, and primary/ if possible secondary education will be free for all kids.