Hello whoever reading this!  I hope your life is getting better and happier.  I was interviewed by Addis Admass (the most popular local newspaper!) few weeks ago.  Here it is.  Am I optimistic?

By the way, if you think you would like to do something good for Ethiopia, I would recommend to donate NGOs especially MÉDECINS SANS FRONTIÈRES (Doctors without Borders)

PS Ah, and I need to apologize for unable to publish my angry article on B people in Ethiopia.  I will try to publish it sooner.

1) What is your moral code in relation ot right and wrong?

I try to think carefully to make decision by myself and do the things to come out positively not only good for myself but like thinking the consequence of others, environments, etc.  I think many people agree on moral codes but what is important is whether you act or not.  For example, I am happy to see the people giving away the seats to elders in minibus. Or I am frustrated when I am cheated in the minibus woyalla (minibus attendant) and other passengers do not help me when I am trying to get back the money from woyalla.

2) What has the life taught you so far?

So far I have learned that I have been very fortunate, never have experienced poverty, I have been surrounded by good people and have been having various opportunities.  So I would like to contribute myself to make the world better and so far, I have learned that somebody has to do something to do this.  We should not wait others to do that or should not depend on others.  Endeavour, working towards better is important and I have also learned that you would not be happy completely without others happiness.

3) What advise would you like to pass on to those close to you?

Help each other, be a responsible citizen, not to be selfish because we live together.  We also have a responsibility for the future, so be aware of your surroundings and consequences.  Think and act what you can do to achieve better world for all.

4) Who do you most admire in this world?

Those who try to contribute to the better world.  Namely Ms. Tetsuko Kuroyanagi a Japanese actor and UNICEF Ambassador.  Angelina Jolie and person like Ms. Abebech Gobena are very cool too.

5) How do you find peace within yourself?

One of my ways of finding peace or perhaps stress reliever used to be “enjoy walking  the streets”.  But here in Ethiopia, it is quite difficult to find peace on the street as I have written before in Addis Admass, there are quire number of people try to annoy you, they are unable to understand the feelings of others (insensitive).  Another way to find peace is to spend positive time with my love ones and I think this is the best.

6) How do you like people think about you?

I have realized that people think that I am demanding when it comes to work.  I tend  to expect more than their expectations for the better outcomes.  I hope they would not take it negatively or hope they could have a similar sense but it seems this gap is quite huge.  I have been trying to set my expectations lower, trying to tell myself that this is Ethiopia, I must be patient and flexible, but I should try not to loose my standards and therefore, I hope people to see me as one of the role model and of course that involves improvement of myself.

7) What do you want to do if you have everything… like money, power, etc.

I hope to share my wealth to improve the lives of others, especially poor people.  I hope I could keep my life simpler, not spending money on luxuries, not being materialistic and selfish.  For example, not like some people in Ethiopia who is busy showing off their brand new cars and cannot even follow the rules of giving a way to pedestrians at the zebra! (Not a good example?)  Anyways, one of my dream is to assist sending more young Ethiopians who want to study abroad.