Ethio Spotlight

At Rebtel, we have customers from all walks of life, who inspire us every day with their stories of travel, fresh starts and reuniting with family.

Our task is to connect people, including prominent figures making waves in their respective industries and communities. Among them are Ethiopian Americans who are redefining what it means to be an expat.

Today, we'll take a look at some of their stories and find out what it's like being part of a hybrid community. Expect to hear from leaders in education, business and internet technology, arts and culture and humanitarianism.

And keep in mind, these are just some of the exciting stories coming out of the African and North American continents.

Keeping good company: Meet prominent businesswoman Addis Hagos

Addis was named after the city she was born in - populated with over 3.4 million people but never quite felt like it was home. "It's not that there's anything really wrong with Addis Ababa but I always wanted to explore new cities and meet new people, and it was a feeling I could never get rid of," says Hagos.

"I used to watch music videos on TV and later on my phone, and I always thought America looked so cool. Like nothing I'd ever experienced before". After studying at the Addis Ababa University of Business and Economics, Hagos decided to take the leap and further her real-world education in New York.

"There was so much administration and paperwork and application steps, I thought they would never accept me," says Hagos.

But within a few months, she was already enrolled to complete full-time study. "Once I'd got over the shock of going - there was still so much to overcome. If it wasn't for my family and the support of a school grant, I never would have made it out here" says Hagos. As an Operations Manager for a well-known retailer operating globally, Hagos has her work cut out for her but there isn't a day she isn't grateful for the experience.

Community is everything to Hagos

"I worked hard for this and I know that I've found a place where I can make a real difference, not only in what I do daily but also to my family and friends back home". Despite being in the States for a few years now, Hagos is still deeply in touch with her roots and has strong family ties. "My family is everything to me. After two years I was able to bring my mother to visit me and it's something we will never forget".

When asked what advice she would share with others, Hagos says: "The first step is thinking it's possible, to be something you don't think you can be. Each of us has a unique talent and we discover more of those talents as we give ourselves the chance to".

Principle Bekele Molla brings passion and multiculturalism to education

"When I tell people I come from Dire Dawa, they either don't believe me or they have never heard of it," says School Principal and Head of Sports and Recreation Bekele Molla. "It's a small city compared to other parts of Ethiopia but it was a place where I learned a lot about cultural and religious diversity and I'm proud to have grown up there".

It's no surprise that many Westerners have not heard of Dire Dawa. In fact, Molla comes from an area with a census population of about 490,000 people - small by global standards. And yet, he attributes so much of his success to growing up in his hometown.

From Dire Dawa Ethiopia to the halls of academia

"I used to run around with the other kids after mosque and we would often go exploring", says Molla. "I think I first developed a kind of curiosity in my hometown which is unlike any other place I've known since".

Molla has a dual role in the school where he teaches today, far away from the Kafira Market and closer to Connecticut. Not only is he the face of the school, but he's also actively involved in the sports and recreation departments where he puts his club football and track skills to good use, to this day.

"When I was younger, I was always the fastest," says Molla. At an early age, educators recognized that Molla was faster than his peers and he was sent to stay with family in Addis Ababa. "If he hadn't been for my family, and going to live in the city, I don't know if I would be where I am today" says Molla.

"I was good at school and of course, put the work in, and by the time I was a teenager I was able to take part in international programs. It was through the youth running program that Molla first got a taste for travel and was sponsored to compete in an international event.

"I placed third in the event", he recalls. "This was when I realized that even though I was the best in my town and city, I'd have to work hard to make a career in sport and needed something to fall back on".

"The need to keep learning has never left me"

"Running is mostly what got me into the States but working hard at school and taking part in teaching and mentoring initiatives is what kept me there".

Some 25 years later, Molla is now one of the most decorated academics at the institution where he works, having completed his first Master's program in 2009. "It's been over a decade since I completed that and yet the need to keep learning has never left me".

When asked if he had any advice for those coming up in his footsteps - Molla only had this to say. "I can share my experiences and my stories of working hard and pursuing my passions but ultimately, the support of my family is what started this journey for me and set me apart from the rest".

Entrepreneur Desta Tekle offers art curation services with roots in Ethiopia

"I had always worked for other people so when the chance came to be my own boss, I was almost afraid of it" says Co-Founder and Art Curator Desta Tekle.

When Tekle first connected with Darren Moss, a prominent architect and designer in LA, it was supposed to be a casual event. "I'd been introduced to Darren via a friend who had met him on an exchange program in Cairo.

At the time I was working for a local store and pursuing my interior design career on the side and of course, Darren was an up-and-coming name in the property world".

When Tekle met Moss, it was only online but the two struck up a friendship instantly and shared a passion for creating beautiful and intriguing spaces.

While Ethiopia was a long way from Los Angeles, the two found a seedling friendship online, sharing ideas and inspiration for designer homes which included niche pieces of art that high-end buyers expected.

"I had always loved art and was well connected in my area. Where I come from, we don't have the resources to support international careers in art so there was a wealth of untapped talent just waiting to be discovered. I had an eye and the design knowledge to find it and I could help connect these talented people and their work to international buyers who wanted something interesting, new or different".

A curation and design house, inspired by Ethiopia

After connecting with Darren the two established Konjo, high-end curated art services that would help luxury buyers beautify their spaces with unique pieces. In 2020 Tekle's foresight and talent were rewarded by the Young Entrepreneur Society which awarded her a grant of 50,000 dollars.

"Coming where I come from, I couldn't even imagine this amount of money," says Tekle. "This was beyond my wildest dreams. Not only has my move to America allowed me to connect with organizations that love the work we do but it's helped me bring Ethiopian talent to the world. And it helps that I also fell in love along the way".

When asked for some sage words of wisdom, Tekle had this to add "Some of the best businesses are matchmakers - connecting talent with interest. The fact that the world is so connected now means there are endless opportunities for anyone who is determined to take them".

These inspiring Ethiopian-Americans are doing each nation proud

It's clear from stories like these (and there are many more of them) that people born in Ethiopia are managing to overcome the obstacles of distance to achieve incredible things.

From inspiring the youth to get moving and learn, to paving the way for African talent to meet the global stage, Ethiopian-Americans are a force to be reckoned with.

How Rebtel helps bring these inspiring stories to life

The Rebtel app makes it easy and cost-effective for people around the globe to stay in touch with home. Once you've downloaded the app, you don't need the internet to access it so you can stay in touch, wherever you are.

Ethio Telecom plans

Get Ethio Telecom plans which include 10GB and 1000 talk minutes plus 100 SMSes for ZERO cost for the first month! Plus, there are a range of other options. We are a certified Ethio Telecom provider so you can be sure we offer the best service 100 percent of the time.

Calling minutes

Rebtel has a range of offers for those who love to phone home. For example, get 20 calling minutes and send them to your loved ones (mobile or landline) for only $1!

Recharges

Recharge your calling minutes, data and more or send credits to the people you care about back home.

Bundles

Choose from a wide selection of different calling, data and SMS bundles to find your best fit.

Need us to assist? Visit our website to get more details.