“Meeting and discussing with a lot of people from many countries enables to see wider. I do not stick to one vision anymore”
Name : Andualem Seyoum
Gender : Male
DoB : 02.10.1982
City of Birth : Arba Minch, Ethiopia
Status : Single
Family : 3 brothers and 2 sister
Hometown : Arba Minch, Ethiopia
Education : University – Information Technology
Job : Watchman and fisherman
Religion : Muslim
Politics : Right Wing
As a child… How would you picture yourself at 30?
JOB – How did you decide to do this job? As a child, I used to repair mechanical objects and I was really good at it, so I pictured myself working in this field. When I entered university, I was passionated about technologies so I studied IT. After graduation, I worked for a few time in the IT sector but the income was so low that I decided to start a career in tourism. That’s how I became a driver…
After graduation, I worked for a few time in the IT sector but the income was so low that I decided to start a career in tourism
HOME / PLACE OF LIVING – Where you thought you would be living by now? I always wanted to live in Awasa, because it is located between Arba Minch and Addis Abeba (capital city of the country). The city is really nice and the climate is pleasant.
Andualem spending some time with his close family (mother, sister and nephew).
Andualem with his transportation to work : an old Toyota Land Cruiser that enables him to explore the South Omo Valley.
Striking and memorable events…
IN YOUR PERSONAL LIFE – What are the most memorable event of your personal life? I was still a baby and was in kindergarden – but I still can remember it – the priest who was also our teacher, whipped me because I did not know the correct answer to his question. The gesture was so violent that I was bleeding. i think I’ll never forget that event.
IN THE WORLD – What are the main events that stroke the world you are living in? Recently, in Ethiopia, some people were digging to find gold when all the rocks collapsed. They got stuck under the ground and died there. The reason why it stroke me is because those people were looking for a better life and they loose their own for it…
BEST MEMORY – What is your best memory? I was driving a group of german tourists trhoughout the Sout Omo Valley… They brought clothes for the kids in the tribes and gave them 80 USD… This gesture of kindness really moved me… We have to help one other…
GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT – One day, I was driving from Arba Minch to Addis Abeba when a guy with a ragged bag attacked me in Awasa (half way on the route). I told him I did not have anything to offer because I almost had no money on me. We talked a lot, I tried to understand why he was acting such way, managed to calm him down and I finally helped him to go home.
Looking back / Reviewing expectations
10 YEARS AGO, I was mainly focused on my studies, I did not project myself a lot. I did not see me as a married man or as a father. I may imagine myself working in a auto workshop because I have always loved cars.
TODAY, it’s quite hard to compare my life to what i tought it may because because like I said I did not really project myself.
Andualem’s favorite spot is the view on Arba Minch lakes from the Paradise lodge.
Andualem in front of is house in Arba Minch.
30 years old, a turning point?
WHAT’S NEW? – Did you notice some changes since you are 30 YO? Before I had a lower life style, now I am into a more modern life. I had some prejudices about the different religions: Protestants, Orthodoxes and Muslims whereas now I do think that all human beings are the same. I have the chance to meet and discuss with a lot of people from many countries thorough my work and that enables me to widen my vision… I do not stick to one vision anymore
Sometimes, when I am thinking « I’m old », I kick myself and the idea goes away immediately!
OLD OR YOUNG? – Do you feel « old » or « still young »? I am still young since I do not have yet a family to take care of and I am able to work hard without complaining. Sometimes, when I am thinking « I’m old », I kick myself and the idea goes away immediately!
CHANGES OR REGRETS? What are the things you would like to change? I truly wish the unity of religions would have existed to avoid so many fights and so many deaths all around the world…
My Values
My Typical day
And tomorrow?
YOUR STORY IN 10 YEARS – What is the story you want to tell within 10 years? I want to have a family: a wife and 2 kids, to owe my own car, to get a degree in tourism industry and to build my own travel agency.
THE WORLD IN 10 YEARS – How do you imagine the world you will be living in within 10 years? The world will become a small village, people will use the same things everywhere, technology of information will allow people to be aware of anything that happens in any part of the world.
I also do thing that Ethiopia will be a much more developed country, with a middle class well equipped. At the same time, some remote tribes might loose their identity and become « like us » with the increase of factories and schools where they live. You know, some Hammer people said: « Some years ago, when we saw modern Ethiopians or white people, we hide ourselves behind the trees because we were afraid. Now, we see many people coming from the city because of the sugar factory trucks we cross everyday »
Fears and Dreams…
FEARS – What are you afraid of? The more we use new technology to interact, the more we risk to broke real social links between people. We really have to be careful not to loose this link…
ACHIEVEMENTS – What are the things you want to achieve? I hope that one day, when my company will be running, I will be able to offer good positions to my brother and my sister.
DREAMS – What is your craziest dreams? I wish I could fly like a bird (laughing).
