(Blacktown Sun) ASSEFA Bekele is an extraordinary man. The 59-year-old grandfather-of-two came to Australia 20 years ago with his wife and two daughters, then 6 and 16, with no English but big dreams of a better life.
Assefa Bekele
“It was very, very difficult,” he said. “I cried on the plane because I had these three lives in my hands. I thought, `Where am I taking my family? Have I made the right decision?”’
Mr Bekele left Ethiopia after receiving a scholarship to study metalogical engineering at the Technical University of Athens.
He described his family’s arrival in Australia as “dark times”.
“When I first arrived I immediately looked for Ethiopian-speaking services to help us but I was told none existed,” he said.
“Lucky for us, I could speak Greek also, so I asked for Greek services and was pointed in the direction of many helpful facilities.”
After finding temporary accommodation, Mr Bekele looked for employment in the engineering profession but was unsuccessful.
He set up home in St Clair in Sydney’s west and took up work as a security guard.
He combined that with volunteer work as a first aid officer with St John’s Ambulance service and NSW police in 1996. But it was his work as a volunteer language specialist, security and customer service officer at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 that he considers “one of my best life experiences”.
“It was absolutely amazing to see all people come together regardless of colour, religion or country,” he said.
With his two daughters now grown up, one married with two children and the other studying a Masters degree in health science, Mr Bekele feels it is vital to tell his story to help others achieve success.
“You need to be very determined but it’s important for migrants to know there are many people who have succeeded,” he said.
As part of the Sydney Writers’ Festival, Mr Bekele will be taking part in a writing workshop on May 24 at Blacktown Arts Centre, titled Voices from the Australia-African Communities of Western Sydney.
His monologue, “Please explain?,” tells the story of his life.
On Saturday, May 24, at 3.30pm, Blacktown Arts Centre will also hold a workshop by critically acclaimed theatre writer Pascal Daantos Berry titled New Philippine Australian Writing.
9 thoughts on “Ethiopian residing in Australia tells the story of his life”
Are you talking Mr Bekele’s success or his daughters success? I didn’t see his success as an engineer by working as a security officer or later as a volunteer language specialist, security and customer service officer shouldn’t be considered as success … hey guys wake up!!!
“..with no English but big dreams of a better life” What does that mean? He never spoke English! How did he get a scholaship to begin with?
I don’t see any success here, it seems he has been a very good father and raised his children very well by working hard. I live in California and I would say most of we Ethiopians here in California or in the US in general seem have no clue where we are. Most of us are hiding in our own little shells and pretend sucessful. Most of us live in the iron masked stupid culture we have brought with us from our loser country. We are one of the most dishonest people on earth. We like to brage on none existence things. While our people are hungry and destitute we just pretend our families are one of the richest on earth. I know at least 5 Nigerians in my medical school student groups. They are very agressive and smart. The don’t BS but they work hard. Look at the Indians look at the Asians, look at the Iranians you find them in every major universties, studying medicine, engineering, economics, business… We, just talk, talk, talk…..
Tolosa and alemayehu,
You said it all. There is nothing left to add.
Mateyas…
Your one of the problem…RESPECT WHERE YOU CAME FROM FIRST OF ALL…yemotke antene belo degemo ye-medical temerai..denekeme Medical…. RESPECT YOUR OWN PEOPLE/Culture rather than worshiping Nigerians…yehonke dedebe… I dought it your an Ethiopian….You must be Somailian
I Know My beloved ETHIOPIAN’s Are Hard wroking and honest and for your information there are many sucessful Ethiopian all over the world!
Mateyas,
Please understand your culture first before you try to judge it. Every culture on the planet has its good and bad sides, but with all its problems our culture is the best for our way of life. Maybe we need to be specific;
What do you mean when you say “Ethiopians here in California or in the US in general seem have no clue where we are” Have you read what you wrote? It doesn’t look a medschool grammar. Except for a few like you, we Ethiopians know where we are? what we want? and what we need to do to get what we want. Do you think that because you are in the medical school (which I highly doubt)you are on top of the world and everybody else including your country is a loser? Grow up and come to your senses, there are many successful Ethiopians who don’t brag like you. If you want to be an Iranian, an Indian, or a Nigerian you can, just marry one girl from each of those countries and don’t bother us (the Ethiopians).
I guess you guys run out of story to write ,because what did he do and achieved to be called succefull ,come on people .tell this guy not to get a big head.There is a lot of successfull people .I just loughed so loud and my heart cried for this fat guy
Hey Abera… I am really proud of u. You said everything to Matiyas on myself and all Ethiopians. He had completely forgotten his destiny. Any ways all of you dont forget your country..
selam hunu….
Zizi
Mateyas did you say your name was….? don’t think so, on top of that you claimed to be a med student? Zzzzz Brother, you need to get a reality check, as they say small knowledge is very dangerous, and you are one of them. Shame though, i would have get a lot more pissed off if you were an Ethiopian, unfortunately the way you put your letters together seems to suggest otherwise. Who ever you are and where ever you are from, consider your self very lucky, to write the word Ethiopia. Low life punk