FEATURE CONDOLENCE STORY

By: Dhabessa Wakjira (Based on the grief post of Alemayehu Diro)

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PROLOGUE: When a Giant Falls

(Finfinne, Oromia, 12 May 2026)-There are departures that echo far beyond the walls of a family home. There are losses that are felt not only by blood relatives, but by entire communities, by strangers who were once strangers no more because of a single act of kindness.

The passing of Zegeye Asfaw Abdi is one such departure.

When the news broke, grief swept across families, villages, and offices where this great man once walked. His death is not merely an obituary to be read and forgotten. It is a chapter closing in the book of selfless service – a chapter written not with ink, but with decades of sacrifice, humility, and unwavering love for his people.

Alemayehu Diro, in his heartfelt grief post, captured what so many feel but struggle to put into words: “I was profoundly saddened to hear of the passing of Zegeye Asfaw Abdi.”

And indeed, sadness is the only proper response when a beacon of light is extinguished.

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PART ONE: A Life of Distinguished Service

More Than Titles – A Servant of the People

Throughout his distinguished life, Zegeye Asfaw Abdi wore many hats. He served his people in various capacities – from local leadership to broader national roles. But he was never defined by the positions he held. Rather, he defined those positions by the way he held them.

He served with:

• Extraordinary passion – not the passion of ambition, but the passion of purpose.
• Humility – rare in a world where power often inflates the ego.
• Integrity – unwavering, even when compromise would have been easier.
• Unwavering commitment – to the betterment of his people, not to personal gain.

Those who worked alongside him speak of a man who never asked others to do what he would not do himself. Those who were led by him speak of a chief who listened before he decided. Those who were served by him speak of a heart that never closed its door.

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PART TWO: The Symbol He Became

A Patriot Without Performance

In an era where patriotism is often performative – worn as a badge for cameras and crowds – Zegeye Asfaw Abdi was a different kind of patriot. He stood as a symbol of dedication not because he sought the spotlight, but because the spotlight found him through his actions.

He worked tirelessly for the betterment of his people. Not for recognition. Not for reward. But because something deep within him demanded it.

His wisdom guided many through difficult times. His leadership steadied ships in stormy waters. His contributions – too numerous to count, too humble to be catalogued – have left an unforgotten mark on the landscape of his community.

That mark will not fade. It will inspire not only this generation, but generations yet unborn.

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PART THREE: The Legacy That Time Cannot Erase

Honor, Compassion, and Exemplary Service

What is a legacy? For some, it is a building with their name carved in stone. For others, it is a bank account passed to children.

For Zegeye Asfaw Abdi, legacy is something far more lasting.

He leaves behind:

• Honor – a name that was never stained by corruption or selfishness.
• Compassion – a heart that felt the pain of others as his own.
• Exemplary service – a standard against which other public servants will be measured.

This is a legacy that time will never erase. Not because it is written in history books, but because it is written in the hearts of the countless people whose lives were touched and transformed by his decades of selfless and devoted service.

He will be remembered not for the titles he carried, but for the humanity with which he carried them. Not for the power he wielded, but for the kindness that tempered that power. Not for the authority he commanded, but for the sense of responsibility that commanded him.

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PART FOUR: The Hole Left Behind

A Heartbreaking Loss to Family, Friends, and Strangers Alike

When a man like Zegeye Asfaw Abdi departs, the loss is not contained within one household.

His beloved family has lost a father, a husband, a brother, a guide. His close friends have lost a confidant, a counselor, a companion in laughter and in struggle.

But the loss extends further.

The countless people whose lives were touched by his service – some whose names he may never have known, some whose faces he may never have seen – have also lost something precious. They have lost a defender. They have lost an advocate. They have lost proof that leadership can be both powerful and pure.

The hole he leaves behind is shaped like a giant. And giants are not easily replaced.

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PART FIVE: A Prayer for Eternal Peace

Gash Zegeye, Chief, Abbaa Lafaa – Rest Among the Righteous

In the Oromo tradition, a chief is called Abbaa Lafaa – Father of the Land. It is a title not given lightly. It is earned through years of service, through nights spent worrying about the welfare of others, through days spent building what will outlast oneself.

Zegeye Asfaw Abdi earned that title many times over.

And now, as he journeys from this world to the next, we offer a prayer:

“May Almighty God grant his noble soul eternal peace and rest among the righteous. May his family, loved ones, colleagues, and all who mourn this great loss find strength, comfort, and solace during this difficult time.”

The prayer is simple. But the hope behind it is immense: that a life so well lived finds a reward so well deserved.

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PART SIX: Though He Is Gone, He Remains

A Legacy That Lives On in Hearts

There is an old saying: A person dies twice – once when the breath leaves the body, and again when the last person speaks their name.

By that measure, Zegeye Asfaw Abdi will never truly die.

His name will be spoken around dinner tables. His stories will be told to children who never met him. His values will be passed down like heirlooms more precious than gold.

“Though he may no longer be with us in person, his remarkable legacy, values, and memories will forever live on in the hearts of many.”

His body may return to the earth. But his spirit – that fire of service, that warmth of compassion, that light of integrity – will continue to burn in everyone he ever touched.

Mr. Zegaye Asfaw was the veteran Oromo leader, champion of the ‘land for tiller” struggle who authored the 1975 Land Act. He was born in April 1942.

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EPILOGUE: A Final Salute to the Chief

Nagaatti, Lubbuun Keet Jannataan Ha Qananiitu

In the Oromo language, when a great person departs, we say:

“Gash Zegeye, Chief, Abbaa Lafaa nagaatti, lubbuun kee jannataan haa qananiitu!”

It means: Gash Zegeye, Chief, Father of the Land – go in peace. May your soul find rest and refreshment in paradise.

It is a farewell, yes. But it is also a celebration. A celebration of a life that mattered. A life that served. A life that loved.

To the family: May you find strength in each other and in the knowledge that your loss is shared by many.

To his colleagues: May you honor his memory by continuing his work with the same integrity and passion.

To all who mourn: May the grief you carry be slowly replaced by gratitude – gratitude that such a man walked among us, even if only for a while.

And to Zegeye Asfaw Abdi: Go well, Chief. Your work here is done. Your rest is earned. And your name will not be forgotten.

Nagaatti. Lubbuun kee jannataan haa qananiitu.

By Daandii Ragabaa

He once held immense power. A high-ranking official within the Oromiya regional state apparatus, he was a man with a comfortable life, a respected position, and a future paved with privilege. But in 2001, Obbo Yonaatoon made a choice that would strip everything away—and make him a legend.

He joined the struggle.

Today, decades later, that same hero lives without a home of his own. Without a car. Without the support his decades of sacrifice deserve. This is his story.

From the Inside to the Underground

Before the rebellion, there was the system. Obbo Yonaataan was no ordinary civil servant. He held a powerful mandate within the Oromiya regional government, serving as the head of the Oromiya Justice Bureau (ittigaafatamaa biiroo haqa Oromiyaa). He was inside the very apparatus that, at the time, was built upon the political architecture of the Woyyee regime (the EPRDF-led government).

But power did not blind him to injustice. In 2001, witnessing the deepening oppression of the Oromo people, he made a decision that few in his position would dare. He abandoned the system. He abandoned his safety. And he crossed over to the armed struggle, joining the Oromo Liberation Front (ABO).

For the Oromo liberation movement, this was more than a recruitment. It was an inspiration. When a man of Obbo Yonaataan’s rank—someone who had seen the inner workings of the regime, who had tasted the comforts of power—voluntarily leaves it all behind to face the wilderness, the bullets, and the exile, it sends a thunderclap through the ranks of ordinary fighters.

“He became a source of energy for many,” recalls one comrade who served alongside him. “If he could leave everything, then the cause must be worth everything.”

The Eritrean Years and the Long Road to Cairo

Obbo Yonaataan’s defection had a ripple effect. Once he joined the ABO’s leadership structure, his example encouraged many other Woyyee-era officials and soldiers to abandon the regime and join the liberation struggle. In the training camps and political offices of Eritrea—where the OLF had a significant presence at the time—his name became synonymous with principled defection.

But exile is never kind. After years in Eritrea, the political winds shifted. Obbo Yonaataan, like many others, was forced to move again, this time to Cairo, Egypt. There, he lived in conditions that were, by any measure, difficult and sorrowful (haalaan gaddisiisaa fi ulfaataa). A man who once directed justice for millions now navigated the precarious life of a political refugee—without status, without resources, and far from home.

And yet, he never broke. Through every danger that befell the Oromo people, he remained a voice of clarity. Through every wave of repression, displacement, and massacre, he documented, he organized, and he bore witness.

The Return: An Unfinished Homecoming

When Dr. Abiy Ahmed came to power and extended a general amnesty to exiled opposition groups, Obbo Yonaataan was among those who chose to return. He believed, perhaps hopefully, that a new Ethiopia had opened its doors. He came back to Oromiya, not as a powerful official, but as a returning soldier who had given his prime years to the cause.

But the homecoming has not been kind.

Today, Obbo Yonaataan lives without adequate support. He does not own a private house. He does not own a car. The very system he once served, and then fought against, has not seen fit to honor his sacrifice. The comrades who still struggle remember him. But material support—the kind that would allow an aging revolutionary to live out his years with dignity—has been slow or nonexistent.

A Call to the Wealthy and the Faithful

The author of this reflection, speaking to Daandii Ragabaa, makes a pointed and urgent appeal.

“People like Obbo Yonaataan need encouragement and support,” the source argues. “They serve as a good example for those who wish to join the struggle in the future. When the younger generation sees that revolutionary heroes are abandoned, what message does that send?”

The message is clear: The Oromo nation, and particularly the wealthy Oromo business class and diaspora elite, must remember.

“When we talk about building a nation, we do not only build roads and offices,” the appeal continues. “We build memory. We build gratitude. The Oromo wealthy (abbootiin qabeenyaa Oromoo) must remember people like Obbo Yonaataan. That is what we demand.”

The Fighter’s Quiet Dignity

What makes Obbo Yonaataan’s story even more remarkable is his silence. He does not march in protest. He does not give bitter interviews. He lives quietly, having offered his time, his skills, and his experience to the Oromo struggle without demanding a receipt.

But history demands that receipts be kept.

The struggle is not only about the future. It is also about honoring those who mortgaged their present for that future. Obbo Yonaataan gave up a life of power for a life of purpose. Now, in his twilight years, it is the Oromo people’s turn to show that purpose is not ungrateful.

“Qabsaawaan ni kufa, qabsoon itti fufa” – The fighter may fall, but the struggle continues. But before the next fighter falls, let them know that their nation will be there to catch them.

By Daandii Ragabaa (Based on a social media post by Robsan Mako)

OSLO, Norway – For over a century, a peculiar silence has hung over one of the most fascinating relationships in the annals of Ethiopian history: the profound bond between Johann Ludwig Krapf, the German missionary and explorer, and the Oromo people. That silence, according to a chorus of scholars and advocates, was no accident. But as the saying goes, there is a time for everything. And now, finally, that time has come.

A groundbreaking new book, penned by the esteemed historian, linguist, church leader, and human rights advocate Melkamu Duresso, has officially been released, promising to shatter the historical omerta surrounding Krapf’s work. The announcement was made with palpable excitement by Robsan Mako, who expressed deep honor at having written both the foreword and the back cover blurb for what he calls a “valuable and timely” work.

The Man Who Loved the Oromo

Johann Ludwig Krapf is a name known to many students of Ethiopian history. He arrived in the early 19th century, famed for his travels and his linguistic feats. But according to Melkamu Duresso’s research, the standard narratives have long downplayed a critical dimension of Krapf’s legacy: his profound love and respect for the Oromo people.

Unlike many European travelers of his era who viewed African societies through a colonial lens, Krapf was different. He immersed himself in Oromo history, meticulously studied the Oromo language, celebrated the rich culture, and defended the identity of the nation. He wrote extensively and positively—a rarity for his time.

Yet, for many years, this story was denied proper publicity. Why? The answer, Robsan Mako suggests in his announcement, lies in the corridors of power.

“Certain groups within the Ethiopian power elite during different periods of history were not comfortable with Krapf’s positive writings,” Robsan notes. A missionary who saw the Oromo as a people with a glorious past and a distinct identity did not fit the political narratives of successive regimes that sought to marginalize or assimilate the nation. To publicize Krapf’s work would be to validate a counter-historical truth—that the Oromo have always been a proud, distinct, and historically significant people.

A Scholar’s Life’s Work

Melkamu Duresso is uniquely qualified to resurrect this history. A graduate of Addis Ababa University in History and English, he later pursued advanced studies at the prestigious Hamburg University in Germany, delving into History, Political Science, English Literature, and Culture. It was at Hamburg that he also served as a lecturer of the Oromo language, further cementing his role as a bridge between Oromo culture and European academia. He is already widely respected as the author of a highly authoritative Oromo-German Dictionary.

Drawing from years of research and deep reflection, Melkamu’s new book does more than simply re-tell Krapf’s biography. It weaves together several crucial threads: the life and mission of the explorer himself, critical new insights into Oromo history, and the fascinating story of the spread of Evangelical Christianity among the Oromo people—a movement in which Krapf played an instrumental role.

A Witness to Dedication

For Robsan Mako, the publication is not just an academic achievement; it is a moral victory. “This publication is another witness to his lifelong dedication to scholarship, language, faith, history, and human rights,” he wrote from Oslo, where he shared the news alongside the Oromo Bible Society (OBiS) and others.

The book arrives as a powerful intervention in contemporary Ethiopian debates about identity, history, and national unity. By reclaiming the story of a 19th-century German who saw dignity where others saw savagery, Melkamu Duresso is offering the Oromo people a reflection of themselves as seen through the eyes of an admiring outsider—a validation written in the amber of historical record.

An Urgent Call to the Youth

As the announcement circulates through diaspora communities and back to Ethiopia itself, Robsan Mako has issued a passionate plea, particularly to the younger generation.

“I encourage everybody—especially the younger generation—to read this valuable and timely book,” he urges. In an era of social media snippets and forgotten pasts, the book stands as a monument to deep research and the long struggle for historical truth. It is a reminder that the stories which are silenced are often the most important ones to tell.

While the official sales channels are still being finalized—with announcements expected soon for readers both in Ethiopia and abroad—one thing is already clear: the long wait is over.

Congratulations have poured in for Melkamu Duresso on his remarkable achievement. At last, Johann Ludwig Krapf’s true legacy, and his love for the Oromo people, can step out of the shadows and into the light of a new day.

By Daandii Ragabaa (Based on the report of Bariisaa Newspaper by Natsaannat Taaddasaa)

FINFINNEE – In the annals of Ethiopia’s turbulent political history, certain names rise above the fray, etched not just into the memory of a single generation but into the very bedrock of the nation’s long quest for change. Obbo Leencoo Lataa is one such name. A revered intellectual, a seasoned revolutionary, and a witness to nearly a century of upheaval, his life story has now been captured between the covers of a new book.

The much-anticipated biography, titled “Leencoo Lataa:Jireenya Qabsoo” (Leencoo Lataa: A Life of Struggle), was officially unveiled this past week in a ceremony held at the Skylight Hotel in Finfinnee. The event was more than a simple book launch; it was a gathering of comrades, historians, and young admirers, all coming together to honor a legacy forged in the crucible of Ethiopia’s most dramatic decades.

The ceremony began with a powerful and symbolic touch: a traditional blessing performed by Gadaa elders and the Haadha Siinqee (the revered mothers and custodians of Oromo democratic traditions). This invocation set a somber yet celebratory tone, reminding all present that the struggle documented within the book’s pages is rooted in the deep, pre-colonial values of justice and equality.

A Life Through the Lens

To truly understand the man, the audience was first taken on a visual journey. The launch featured a poignant slideshow of rare photographs and a screening of a short documentary tracing Obbo Leencoo’s footsteps. From his early days as a student activist to his years as a prominent figure in the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), and later as a leading opposition politician in a changing Ethiopia, the images told a story of resilience, sacrifice, and unwavering conviction.

Following the film, a panel discussion brought together veteran comrades and scholars who have walked alongside Obbo Leencoo. They dissected key moments of his revolutionary journey—the clandestine meetings, the ideological battles, the imprisonments, and the long years in exile. The panel did not shy away from the complexities of his career, instead painting a portrait of a man who has consistently placed the liberation of his people above personal ambition.

Giving a Voice to History

The author of this definitive biography is Zufaan Urgaa, a writer already well-known to those familiar with Ethiopia’s revolutionary literature. Zufaan is the same author who previously chronicled the life of another giant, General Taaddasaa Birru, in a celebrated work. In “Leencoo Lataa: Jireenya Qabsoo,” Zufaan applies his meticulous eye for detail and deep understanding of the period to capture the half-century-long struggle of Obbo Leencoo.

Speaking at the launch, Zufaan explained that the book is not merely a chronological list of events, but an attempt to understand the soul of a revolutionary. “A struggle is not made of ideologies alone; it is made of the sweat, the doubt, the pain, and the hope of human beings,” he said. “I wanted to show Leencoo Lataa—the man behind the history book.”

A Legacy for Tomorrow

As the formal proceedings drew to a close, the consensus among the attendees was clear: this book arrives at a critical juncture. Ethiopia is still navigating the rapids of political reform and ethnic federalism, often forgetting the hard-won lessons of the past. The younger generation, born into a different Ethiopia, risks losing touch with the sacrifices that made their present reality possible.

“Leencoo Lataa: Jireenya Qabsoo” serves as a vital bridge. It is a reminder that today’s political landscape was watered by the tears and blood of those who came before. It is a call to memory, urging the youth to not only recall yesterday’s struggles but to use that knowledge to build a more just tomorrow.

For Obbo Leencoo Lataa, now in the twilight of his life, the book stands as a testament that his journey—with all its victories and defeats—has not been forgotten. As the guests lined up to receive their signed copies, one young university student summed up the feeling in the room: “This is not just his story. This is our map.”

A Global Celebration of Oromo Motherhood: Strength, Sacrifice, and Unbroken Love

By Dhabessa Wakjira

Happy Mother’s Day to you all, beautiful Oromo moms across the globe.

From the highlands of Oromia to the streets of Minneapolis, from the pastoral plains of Borana to the bustling suburbs of Melbourne, from the ancient soils of Jimma to the immigrant neighborhoods of Stockholm and Washington, D.C.—today, the world turns its gaze to you.

Not because the calendar demands it. But because your love demands it.

The Hands That Hold the Nation Together

An Oromo mother is not simply a parent. She is a living archive. She is the first teacher of the Afaan Oromo, the keeper of the sirba (traditional songs), the storyteller who whispers the names of heroes like Abdissa Aga, Elemo Qiltu, and Haile Fida into the ears of children who have never seen the homeland.

She is the one who cooks marqaa before the sun rises, who walks miles for water, who sits late into the night sewing uniforms for children whose school fees she can barely afford. She is the one who leaves her own plate empty so that others may eat.

And in the diaspora—far from the eebbisa (blessings) of elders and the shade of odaa trees—she becomes something else entirely: a bridge between two worlds.

The Diaspora Oromo Mother: A Bridge of Tears and Hope

For Oromo mothers raising children in America, Europe, Australia, and beyond, the journey is different but no less difficult.

She wakes up to speak Afaan Oromo to children who answer back in English. She drives them to school, then drives to her own job—perhaps cleaning offices, caring for the elderly, or working a night shift at a hospital cafeteria, just like the immigrant mother who became Dr. Iftu (Hawi) in yesterday’s story.

She carries the weight of two cultures. She wants her children to succeed in the West, but she also desperately wants them to know who they are—to understand Oromummaa (Oromo identity), to respect the Gadaa, to never be ashamed of their name or their skin or their language.

Some nights, she cries when no one is watching. The loneliness of being far from her own mother, far from her aadaa (culture), far from the familiar smell of buna (coffee) roasted by hand—it settles into her bones.

But every morning, she rises again. Because that is what Oromo mothers do.

A Legacy of Resilience

History has not been kind to the Oromo people. But Oromo mothers have never surrendered. They have buried sons and daughters in struggles for justice. They have raised revolutionaries on their laps. They have marched, sung, prayed, and persisted through regimes that tried to erase their language and deny their identity.

And still, they teach their children: “Oromo ta’uu kee hin ilaalu. Oromo ta’uu kee eenni hin beeku. Ati Oromo ti. Kunis badhaasa guddaadha.”

(“Do not be ashamed of being Oromo. Let no one make you ashamed. You are Oromo. That is a great gift.”)

Today, We Honor You

So today, on Mother’s Day, we see you.

We see you, haadha manaa (housewife) in Adama, who has never had a day off in twenty years.
We see you, single mother in Seattle, working two jobs and still attending every school play.
We see you, refugee mother in Kakuma camp, who tells your children stories of a homeland they have never seen.
We see you, grandmother in Asella, who raised your grandchildren after their parents were taken by politics or poverty.
We see you, stepmother, adoptive mother, spiritual mother—whose love chose rather than merely followed blood.

Baga Ayyaana Haadhaa! (Happy Mother’s Day!)

A Prayer for Oromo Mothers Everywhere

May your burdens become lighter.
May your children rise and call you blessed.
May your tears—whether of joy or sorrow—water the seeds of a better tomorrow.
May the world finally know the depth of what you have given.

And may every Oromo mother, whether in Finfinnee or Fargo, Haromaya or Houston, Bishoftu or Berlin, feel seen, celebrated, and deeply loved.

Because you are not just raising children.
You are raising the future of a nation.

Happy Mother’s Day to you all, beautiful Oromo moms in the globe.

With deepest respect and love,

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This feature story is dedicated to every Oromo mother who has sacrificed, survived, and loved beyond measure.

By Dhabessa Wakjira

A significant new book documenting the remarkable half-century political journey and struggle of veteran politician Mr. Lencho Leta has officially been launched. Titled “Lencho Leta: Struggle and Life,” the work was unveiled today in a ceremony that was as much a celebration of Oromo culture as it was a literary milestone.

Authored by Zufan Urga, the book is published in both Afaan Oromo and Amharic. It offers readers a deep and expansive analysis of Mr. Lencho Leta’s life—his rises and falls, his decades of political commitment, and the personal and collective sacrifices that defined his path.

A Ceremony Rooted in Ancient Tradition

The launch event was not a typical book signing. It was a powerful homage to Oromo heritage. The ceremony officially opened with a traditional blessing and recognition performed by Abba Gedas (wise elders) and Haadha Siinqee (women leaders holding the symbolic Siinqee staff), keepers of the Oromo’s ancient Gadaa system. Their presence grounded the event in values of justice, wisdom, and community—principles that have guided Lencho Leta’s own life of service.

From the outset, it was clear that this was not merely the launch of a book. It was the honoring of a living struggle.

A Panel of Witnesses

Following the official unveiling, a thought-provoking panel discussion was held, focusing on Mr. Lencho Leta’s long years of political struggle. The panel brought together notable figures—some who fought alongside him, others who have been shaped by his example. They reflected on his resilience, his consistency, and the price he paid for standing by his convictions.

The discussions moved beyond biography. They explored what Lencho Leta’s journey means for the present generation of Oromo and Ethiopian political actors, and what lessons his life offers for the future.

Dignitaries, Artists, and Family Gather

The event drew a distinguished audience. Senior government officials, celebrated authors, artists, and intellectuals were in attendance. But perhaps most moving were the presence of Mr. Lencho Leta’s former comrades in struggle—men and women who shared the difficult roads and dark nights of political opposition. Family members and specially invited guests filled the hall, creating an atmosphere of both celebration and reflection.

More Than a Man, More Than a Book

“Lencho Leta: Struggle and Life” is not a hagiography. By all accounts, it is a measured, detailed account of a life lived in the trenches of Ethiopian and Oromo politics. It seeks to document, to teach, and to preserve a memory that might otherwise fade.

For the Oromo people and for all Ethiopians who value political courage, the book arrives at a critical moment—when remembering the past is essential to navigating the future.

As the Abba Gadaa and Haadha Siinqee opened the ceremony with their ancient blessings, they reminded everyone present: a people who do not honor their strugglers are a people without a compass.

Today, through Zufan Urga’s words, Lencho Leta’s compass points forward.

Reported by Dhabessa Wakjira, based on the launch event of “Lencho Leta: Struggle and Life.”

From an ESL Classroom to a Doctorate: A Mother’s Day Gift That Took Years to Unwrap

By Dhabessa Wakjira (based on the reflection of Dr. Bedassa Tadesse)

Today is Mother’s Day. Across the United States, families are celebrating with flowers, brunches, and handwritten cards. But for one family in Minnesota, this particular Mother’s Day will forever carry a second meaning—one written in years of sacrifice, silence, and stunning triumph.

It is the day a wife and mother of two walked across a graduation stage to receive her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree.

This is not merely a graduation announcement. This is the story of a woman who refused to give up on herself, her family, or her dreams—even when the dream seemed impossibly distant.

A Beginning in a Downtown Duluth Classroom

The journey did not begin in a prestigious lecture hall or even inside a nursing program. It began in 2004, in a modest downtown Duluth building, where a young immigrant woman sat among other newcomers learning the most basic tools of survival: how to ask for help, how to understand, how to be understood, and how to slowly find her voice in a new country.

At that time, where the family lived, the English course was not even offered at the local college. But she showed up anyway.

Her English was very limited. She carried hope in her heart, but little else. She did not come to America with privilege. She came with humility, faith, and a quiet, stubborn belief that something better was possible.

Building a Family While Building a Future

While she learned the language of her new home, life did not pause. She and her husband, Dr. Bedassa Tadesse, were raising two young boys. They were building a life, working, surviving, and trying to find their footing in a strange land.

There were long days and late nights. There were bills to pay. There was work that was often physically exhausting—mopping floors, cleaning, standing on tired feet for hours in a hospital cafeteria.

But even while serving food and wiping tables, she never let go of the dream of becoming a nurse.

She did not begin at the top. She began with whatever honest work was available. And in the quiet hours after the children were asleep and her body ached from the day’s labor, she opened her books.

The Unseen Years

Those who only see the graduation photos will never see the thousands of unseen moments.

Her husband watched her come home exhausted and still sit down to study. He watched her doubt herself—wondering if she was too old, too slow, too far behind—and then watched her rise again. He watched her choose discipline when exhaustion would have been a perfectly acceptable excuse.

She carried so much, often silently. And still, she moved forward.

Their two boys grew up watching this. Today, one son is 19, finishing his first year of college. The other is a sophomore in high school. They did not just hear about perseverance. They watched their mother live it—day after day, year after year.

From Mopping Floors to Authoring Research

Now, the woman who once began by learning the English alphabet as a second language has earned a doctoral degree in nursing.

She is now Dr. Iftu (Hawi).

But that is not all. Beyond earning her DNP, she has also authored a published research article and an op-ed. She has not simply entered the nursing profession—she has added her voice to it. She has moved from learning the language to using that language to care, to lead, to write, to teach, and to contribute.

That is what makes this day so powerful.

A Message to Every Immigrant and Every Working Parent

Her journey is a reminder to every immigrant, every mother, every working parent, and every person who feels they started too late or too far behind: where you begin does not define where you can go.

To those immigrants who look at dreams like this—a doctoral degree, a published article, a seat at the professional table—and feel that those goals are too far away, too difficult, or even impossible, let this journey be proof that it can be done.

The road may be longer than you imagined. It may require years of sacrifice, humility, and patience that nobody sees. But do not give up on yourself.

If a woman who began in a small ESL classroom in downtown Duluth, while cleaning floors and working in a hospital cafeteria, can one day become Dr. Iftu, then your dreams are possible too.

A Husband’s Tribute

Today, on this Mother’s Day, Dr. Bedassa Tadesse honors his wife not only as a graduate, not only as a nurse, not only as a scholar—but as the heart of their family.

“She has shown our children what perseverance looks like,” he says. “She has shown me what strength looks like. She has shown all of us that dreams do not die when the road is difficult. Sometimes they simply take longer to bloom.”

As Nelson Mandela once said: It always seems impossible until it’s done.

Happy Mother’s Day, Dr. Iftu. Congratulations, Doctor.

They are proud of you. They love you more than words can say.

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This feature story is based on a personal reflection shared by Dr. Bedassa Tadesse, as told by Dhabessa Wakjira.