“I’m a role model for my children and their children to come”

Alemtzahai is enthusiastic and forthcoming about her life when I interview her.  She speaks with a passion for learning and making something of herself that is genuine, warm and contagious. From our conversation, I sense she is an incredibly determined and independent woman who overcomes challenges to achieve her goals. Alemtzahai refers to herself as a “unique mother”, as opposed to a single mother, as she claims this terminology suits her better.  She has two children; a fourteen year old daughter and an eight year old son.  They have been living in Eilat for the past 15 years and she proudly claims she is one of very few Ethiopian Israelis in the seafront city. She recounts her journey from Ethiopia on Aliyah to Israel as a five month old baby strapped to her mother’s back. Although she doesn’t remember many details, she assures me that even at this tender age, the journey helped shaped the woman she has become today. She shares with me some thoughts about her childhood in Kiryat Gat, of her parents and 7 siblings, all of whom were mostly raised by her amazing mother, as her father died at a young age. Alemtzahai recently completely a Mechina program and works part time in a private business.  She is due to begin her BA in Middle Eastern Studies at the Eilat Branch of the Ben Gurion University this coming October. When we discussed her decision to pursue academic studies alongside raising her family and her work commitments, Alemtzahai laughed and said she loves to learn new things and is excited to go back to school and be in that special environment. She wants to further herself financially and expand possibilities for her future career.  She is looking forward to meeting new people and building confidence in her abilities.  Although her siblings have not attended higher education, they are proud of her achievements.  She mentioned how proud she is to be the first in her family who will receive an academic degree.  She went on to say that there is a new place of learning and growth in her home that she has created.  She loves the moments when she can sit alongside her children and they can all study for a test together. When Alemtzahai turned to Keren Aynor mid – year, she found a warm and supportive ear, a place where she could receive the kind of “home” like feeling she was looking for to help make her dreams come true.  Along with her drive and dedication to succeed in her studies, Keren Aynor promised to be there by her side as she began her academic career. Alemtzahai expressed her appreciation to Keren Aynor for the generous support and assured me she will go far and make her family proud.  There is no doubt that she will!