The Ethiopian Herald

Friday 22 May, 2009,  Page 8, Society

 

Changes in the country encouraged me to contribute something

-   Dr. Gezahgn Wordofa 

 

 

By AMANUEL HADERA

Many Ethiopians who are residing in various parts of the world are asserting that there is a relative conducive environment in the country that enable them participate in different development endeavours.  Therefore, to the extent they could do, Ethiopians are expected to invest their knowledge, money and an y of their potential in a bid to push ahead the on going growth of the country.

Dr. Gezahegn Wordofa was born in Wolenchite, a small town in East Shoa of Oromiya State in 1971.  Some 18 years ago, he left for Russia because he got a scholarship opportunity for further education and studied International Relations and Law at a PhD level.  Dr. Gezahegn, is now Director of OPORA, an organization assisting refugees of different natives in Russiain various aspects.  Currently, with his wife Nicole Lauwaert he is engaged in different humanitarian as well as developmental activities in Ethiopia.  The Ethiopian Herald had the opportunity to talk to Dr. Gezahegn concerning the overall activities he is carrying out and other related issues.

Would you briefly tell me your profile?

I was born in Wolenchite in 1971 and my family moved to another place named Dalota which is located near Dukem after my father retired from Education office where he was employed.  I used to travel to Dukem Elementary School on foot due to lack of means of transportation in my childhood time.  I passed through many challenges because there was a time when I even didn’t have anything to eat.  After completing a high school education in Bishoftu, I traveled to Russia for further education.  In the mean time, I also married a Canadian woman who is an employee in one of Russian organizations.  She is an IT engineer.

What are you doing in Russia now?

I am working on refugee affairs in collaboration with UNHCR.  In particular, I am working on human right protection of refugees who are natives of Afghanistan, Iraq, Middle Asian and other African countries such as Congo, Angola, Genie Bissau and Somalia.

In addition, my organization OPORA which was established in 2003 is providing them with various services like housing, food, medicine, counselling and clothing.  We also facilitate conditions to enable them get recognition from UNHCR.  OPORA, is providing Afghan’s women association with special support to make them engage in some activities like designing jewellery.  It was founded to assist those people seeking refugee in Russia and is run by refugees.

What reason made you engage in such a humanitarian work?

Since the time I entered Russia, 18 years back through the support of UN volunteer, I have been initiated to help people, refugees in particular.  Because I faced similar problems, I could easily understand their pain.  My organization is also providing children refugees with the necessary support.

I usually travel to European countries for various meetings and other purposes in connection with my work.  I also attend conferences aimed at improving refugees’ lives which are organized in different countries and I make important communications with many international organizations which would assist my projects.   As I could speak different languages such as Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, English, Russian and French in addition to the local ones like Oromifa as wells as Amharic, that gave me the chance of easily understanding different citizens and facilitating processes that to enable them get refugee right.

Furthermore, I have taken some additional trainings which would enable me spot people by their natives where they are from.  I could easily identify people who go to Russia from countries where similar languages are spoken.  For instance, Congolese and Angolans, Ethiopian Somalis and the other Somalis speak English alike.  I assist UNHCR office in Moscow mainly where those refugees intend to trick the organization providing incorrect personal information for the sake of various benefits.

Why did you come to Ethiopia?

I was really very much impressed by the concrete changes I observed here by the time I came here to celebrate the Ethiopian Millennium.  A lot of roads, buildings and other infrastructures have been constructed.  Those efforts would testify that the country is on the development track.  I also attended the meeting held at that time between Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and the Diaspora who came for the celebration.  Important issues that would contribute to the country’s development were discussed.  Then I was also interviewed by some Ethiopian journalists regarding my plans.  I responded to them that I would first support the school where I learnt.  Therefore, recently I offered some 50 computers which I brought from Russia to Dukem High School.

Now, I am encouraged to contribute something in the country because the road to my parent’s village was not suitable to travel by car in the past.  Rather, the community used to go on foot.  However, currently, things are changed.  I am now encouraged.  I would make some advocacy works so that other people including the foreigners would participate for similar purpose.   I would also communicate with some international organizations, universities, and colleges.  Some of the endeavours I am planning to carryout advocacy works in sanitation, irrigation and other social areas.  I am planning to do a lot in collaboration with the local public, students and teachers.  In order to address the water problem, I have begun undertaking water project in the area where I grew up.  Although significant changes have been seen there, even now, my family for example is traveling for an hour to fetch water.  I think this should be solved as urgently as possible.

In a bid to promote education in the area, I also offered sport uniforms, footballs, volleyballs and other school materials to the school in addition to the computers.  IN a country where I am residing, computers mostly are put in a garbage after they are used for about a year.  Many friends in Russia keep used computers in a big basket on which my name is written since they recognized my work.  Some individuals in the Ethiopian Customs Authority cooperated with me to enable me import those computers here.  Because my wife is an IT engineer, she repairs those computers which need maintenance.  Therefore, my wife’s contribution to my work is indispensable.  As they were very much impressed by her work, the community of Dukem town offered her a traditional dress.  TheOdaNebeHigh Schoolhas also awarded me a certificate that reveals my work.  By the way, Dukem town is showing significant growth and I think it deserves a college and other big investments.  Therefore, I am planning to establish a college there.  I would like to undertake investment on education, IT programme in particular.

What other changes did you observe in Ethiopia?

            Above all, there is a reliable security in the country.  People work and move here and there with freedom.  In addition, the policemen are very friendly and cooperative.  The road construction which has been made in the rural and urban areas of the country is very impressive.  It is making life simple, every activity easy.  In the area of communication, a lot has been done.  For instance, in the past, when I made a call fromMoscow, my farmer family used to travel to Dukem which is, some 15 km away from their village and wait half a ay.  But now, they are using mobile telephone.  As the world is advancing, the country is also progressing in the area of technology.

The education sector has grown at encouraging rate.  There are plenty of training and vocational centres.  Also, colleges and universities have been established with significant number.  Therefore, my other plan is to communicate with universities of other developed countries to enable some Ethiopian students get scholarships.  I see, education as a base for development of a country.

What are the challenges you think encounter you in the process of your work?

            For your surprise, since my wife and I were very much inspired to see how the community welcomed us, I was tempted even to remain here.  However, there are a lot of projects which I should do in Russia.  Therefore, since I began my work in the area where I grew up, I hope I will not face any challenge.  I found public enthusiasm it beyond my expectation.  Everybody promised to stand on my side in every effort I am exerting.

How do feel Ethiopians living abroad?

            On my part, I have benefited a lot being in Russia.  It is for this reason that I am now able to invest what I have in my country.

Due to the nature of my occupation, I have good relationship with a lot of people, mainly foreigners.  Therefore, it created a good opportunity for me.

Other Diaspora should contribute to their country’s development beginning from villages where they come from.  “Nothing would be like your mother land.  What great things you may have abroad, you would have no satisfaction with out your country”.  I would not regret if I work for my country 24 hours.  Wherever I go, I wouldn’t change my citizenship.  I still have an Ethiopian passport because I love my country.  Everything I am doing in Ethiopia is my own initiative.  I urge once again other Ethiopians residing abroad to contribute their part because there is a conducive environment to participate in various developmental activities.  I have good relationship with diplomats of Russian Embassy and some Ethiopian government officials.  They are very cooperative in every area that would benefit the country.

Ethiopian embassy inMoscow, particularly Ambassador Dr. Teketel Forsido is also motivating the Diaspora residing there to involve in the development endeavour of their country’s.

We Ethiopian community usually hold discussions with the Ethiopian Embassy, freely concerning national affairs.  Most Ethiopians living there are pursuing their education up to PhD level.  They could speak Russian language and the people have good attitude towards Ethiopians.  The Embassy is also working to enable us employed in suitable organizations.

In what aspects could the Diaspora contribute to the development of their country?

            They have to work to build their country’s image by way of introducing the country’s culture and history to other nations through various means.  Ethiopia is a country with plenty of historical heritages.  For example, when I was introduced to my wife, a Canadian native, first she told me about Axum, Lalibela and other Ethiopians historical places as well as events.  Therefore, we all Ethiopian are responsible to work in this regard.

The first and most duty of mine after traveling back to Moscow is, to share the Diaspora every information I got here [sic].