This is how I finally met Helen Abele, a diminutive young woman with a bright glimmer in her eyes, from Ethiopia, attending a six-week fellowship program for future African leaders at the Humphrey Institute, just before she departed for a tour of Washington DC and back home to her government job. Only a handful of Fellows were selected from many applicants, and she was one. Our schedules just did not align until last week, and not knowing what to expect, I merely set my hopes on small talk - "Gopher" talk to welcome her on this, ironically the day President Obama was addressing Ethiopia and the African Union.
Nearly an hour later, small talk had long evaporated, replaced by a lengthy dialogue on America, Ethiopia, their differences and similarities, and the lessons learned by Helen during her six week stay, and me by my much shorter visit. What I saw was a bright, 28 year old engaged bundle of energy, inspired by her stay here to bring this energy and enthusiasm back to her homeland. In particular, what struck me as most interesting is her perception of American charity - the difference in the application of charity by Americans and Ethiopians. After visiting many charitable organizations here as a part of her fellowship, she was surprised and inspired as much by their variety of purpose and mission as by the charitable resources they have to spend. It is a rarity, as I understand it, to find Ethiopian charities serving Ethiopians with generous donations by fellow Ethiopians - in Ethiopia. This message was delivered with awe, and no small amount of enthusiasm.
I asked her what she wants to be doing in 10 years. "Be a Minister" Not a minister in a religious sense, but a government minister doing good, honest work. Admitting she is not "political", she acknowledges the challenges she faces, the male domination in government and politics, taking a woman seriously enough, and the usual impediments women can expect. But her determination was sincere, strong and steadfastly unwavering, even to the point of sacrificing nurturing a family to do good for the country.
Ethiopia, get ready for Helen Abele. Her passion, drive, vision and optimism is contagious. I hope you catch her contagion, but know she would do well to set her sights higher than merely a Minister. She is seemingly capable of much more than that. And perhaps the compassion and dedication she would bring to her people would be a breath of clean, fresh air to the political savanna.
Good luck, Helen - go get 'em! And thanks for inspiring me.
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| My former student Ermias Mekonnen with Helen Abele |
