Written by an Intern Journalist: Muna Ahmed
Muluken Fenta was born on January 12th, 1980(GC), in a small town known as Ebnat, Gondar. He grew up in a close-knit community characterized by strong relationships and a sense of companionship. All this shaped who he is today.
In Ethiopia, education has always been considered a way out of poverty and a means to achieve a better life. This belief has been ingrained in the minds of Ethiopians for generations, and Muluken is no exception. Born in a small town, Muluken had a strong desire to pursue education and better his life. However, his parents did not have access to education, which led them to undervalue its importance. Despite this, he was determined to pursue his studies and work hard to achieve his goals. He spent countless hours studying, even though his parents were more concerned about the potential harm to his eyes from the gas and light emitted by the kerosene lamp that he used to study. Despite this, Muluken recognizes the sacrifices his parents made to support him in achieving his educational goals. He acknowledges the Ethiopian saying, "parents/communities that taught the people without learning," which emphasizes the importance of giving credit to those who supported others in achieving their educational goals, even if they did not have the opportunity to pursue education themselves.
Muluken was part of a generation that was born into war, raised in war, and whose childhood ended with war. Despite the difficult circumstances, Muluken was able to receive an education, although it was not without its challenges. His formal education began in 1979(Ethiopian calendar) when he started first grade. He continued his studies in Ebnat until he reached tenth grade. During the war, he spent two years in the fourth grade. The war had disrupted the educational system, and many children, like Muluken, had to repeat grades to catch up with the curriculum. Living in a war-torn country was not easy for Muluken, he recalls, “There were times where the day looked like night and everything was dark. One incident that I remember vividly is when our town got bombed.” These experiences left a lasting impression on Muluken, however, all these experiences have also shaped him.
While in university, Muluken faced even more challenges, such as financial difficulties. He was dependent on his parents for many things and struggled to make ends meet. However, Muluken was able to overcome these hardships and received his bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from Arba Minch University in 1996 (Ethiopian Calendar). Muluken reflected on these challenging times in university and remarked,“If you start something you should finish it, as you will gain a lesson from it or benefit out of it”. After completing his degree, Muluken got his first job, but it was not enough to solve his financial problems as his salary was low. At the end of every month, he was 200 birr in debt, which he covered by borrowing money from other people. Despite these difficulties, Muluken did not give up. He continued to work hard and just three years after getting his first job, he was able to buy his own car. Muluken's resilience serves as an inspiration to others who may be facing similar financial challenges. He did not let his financial difficulties hold him back, and he worked hard to overcome them.
Muluken continued to work in Electrical Engineering for many years, but eventually, he developed an interest in contributing to his country in a different way, through politics.
Although Muluken never thought he would become involved in politics, he applied for a job when his colleagues informed him of an opportunity. To his surprise, he was hired as a director at the Office of the First Lady. His new position allowed him to work closely with the government and contribute to the development of his country. His interest in politics was not driven by ambition or a desire for power but rather a genuine desire to contribute to his country in any way he could. What is particularly interesting about Muluken's story is that, as a child, he thought that he would end up as a farmer. This goes to show that one's aspirations can change over time, and it is never too late to pursue a different path.
Muluken's journey has been marked by challenges and opportunities, but he does not have any regrets. “I don’t think there is any advice I would give my younger self as I think everything I did in my life is what made me who I am today. I passed through everything I needed to go through as a human and I am happy with everything my younger self decided to do,” he said. Muluken's perspective is a reminder that every experience we have in life shapes us into who we are today. Our successes and failures, our joys and struggles, all contribute to our personal growth and development. Muluken's story serves as an inspiration to others to embrace their journey and trust that every experience has a purpose.
When asked about his view of Addis, Muluken described it as a city of “opportunity”. He believes that the city provides opportunities to people from different places; opportunities that were not available to them before. Muluken's perspective is a reflection of the diverse and dynamic nature of Addis Ababa, which attracts people from different backgrounds and cultures.