Frontlines of My Life

To be a girl or a woman in Ethiopia is to carry the hugest load of the family or community. I don’t think any family or the country leaders recognized that. When I was in class eight, some of the wee days Mom was absent when my big brother who was ten years older than me. I had to burn the fire wood, bake enjera and give him lunch. I was not asked to do that, but I didn’t want him to go back to library with empty stomach. House chores are being done only by girls and mothers, but my three brothers used to share some work. My father used to belittle his wife and thought women were not able to lead. But my brothers respect and adore their wives. My dad came drunk most of the evenings; he was also an angry man. He loves his wife and children. He likes coffee and if it was not ready for him, he disturbed the house unbelievably. All of his children agreed not to drink coffee. None of drink alcohol and eight of us don’t use coffee out of ten children. Being a girl child, having a sick mother and born in a poor lawyer’s house made me not to join university. I want all children to be treated same way in the family. Education should be given equally for all. House chores should be done equally by all family members. Some families or religious groups encourage early marriage for girls. This will make the women less educated than men. When she’s tied with kids in the house, she can’t learn. I want to stop this.

I think I’m related to my country and my continent. I participate in the business, literature, church, community and some volunteer works. I love Africa. Being an African woman means, being a heroin. Every minute of the day she faces challenges. In her house, while she walks to school or work, in school or work place there’s a challenge. The traditions favor the boys and men. If she survives each day, she is a winner. In my country, people are religious; they’ve a fear of God. People help each other. Neighbors support each other; one family has a right to discipline his neighbor’s child in most cases. When someone has a party in his house, neighbors help cook the food, lend their chairs, rooms, if the person’s house is small who hosts others. After his guests left his house, every child and all neighbors are welcome to eat, sit, chat and laugh as long as they want. We give a lot of food for children with a big tray and they enjoy eating together while they’re teasing each other. Everybody plays with a small child, gives kiss or sweets even in an area we don’t know. Elderly people are respected no matter who they are. I’m Christian, I read Bible, I go to church, I serve in the youth ministry, I participate in the women bible fellowship, and I am active member of the church. I love everything in Ethiopia as well as Africa, except their politics.

I’ve got a jewelry business to export in abroad. My country needs foreign currency. I got orders. I went to the Ministry of trade; they show me a book I can export finished silver and gold jewelry. I’d to get certificate from Ministry of Mine. Mine office said, national bank only exports. I see the Minister of mine, he said I can, but the guy works under him refused me the certificate. Corruption