When the act of loyalty & devotion to thy country is obeyed.
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — I seem to get excited by someone who makes their point to live a bit outside their element like a professional. Especially those working in a field held in high regards, such as the Law. You see, there's this model rules of conduct amongst lawyers. A lawyer's conduct should conform to the requirements of the law, both in professional service to clients and in the lawyer's business and personal affairs. My first thought after learning this, there’s a reason many lawyers I have encountered come off as arrogant uptight and think they're cleverer than everyone else in the room. Then a friend introduced me to a colleague of hers, a very eclectic, expressive, classy world traveled with intelligence felt across the room.
"My parents stood firm on education and instructed the art of wisdom development."
Melat Fasil, a true definition of “beauty and brains.” One would think this first impression of a friend’s colleague is good enough to remove the dark unpopular cloud and give lawyers nowadays some slack. No! Simplicity is where she is excellent and what makes her different, less is more. Although it's imposing to learn about a person’s accolades through their educational achievement's corporate success, on the contrary, there’s nothing more gratifying than meeting someone that is simply a true music lover of culture.
Born in Addis Ababa, Melat moved West of Africa to Senegal. While living there, she adapted to the western region, The way of living, the food, French, and the native language Wolof. She even embraced their different West language, West African rhythm style of music. This sound was different from Amharic Music 1/16 triplet drum pattern. Malet came to appreciate the change of sound, the type of dancing, and hue it next to Amharic Music as it is now a part of her cultural upbringing.
Melat is the daughter of a father who worked as an accountant and a mother who has worked in foreign affairs for the last 25 years. Melat has learned the importance of having loyalty and how to serve her country through her father and having outstanding commitment and achievement from her mother—earning a Law Degree from Addis Ababa University. Malet traveled abroad to Italy, earning two degrees at Loyola University Chicago School of Law and LLM, Rule of Law development.
"Liked the idea of being able to help other people by using the empowerment that comes with the law."
Following in the same footsteps of her mother, she too has taken on the responsibility of being a role model to young women. Having traveled to 29 countries from Senegal, Greece, France, Italy, the USA, Egypt, Spain, to name a few, she saw many things the average person couldn’t imagine. Inspired, she has dedicated her life to educating herself and helping others. Those close to her imply that she is committed, reasonable, honest, and stands for what she believes in. Remembering what it was like after returning from Senegal, Malet says, it was difficult to adjust after living in a society of so much freedom. Acknowledging the societal differences, I see improvement in the behavior in affirmative action for women.
Now a Legal Assistant for the African Union, Melat says, I never thought of being a lawyer until after finishing my 3rd year of law school. I dreamt of becoming an astronaut and discovering the universe at 9. In High School, I served as the President of the Astronomy club. However, when I moved back to Ethiopia to finish the last two years of High School, there was a choice to be made between social science and natural science, so I chose social science. I firmly believe that Law school chose me. Consequently, I found the law fascinating. I enjoyed studying it. I also liked the empowerment that came with understanding and knowing how to use the law. In addition, I liked the idea of being able to help other people by using the empowerment that comes with the law. I do want to make a positive impact on my Country and Continent.
Melat says, I once met this 11-year-old boy begging for money or food. I went to him and asked him why you're doing this at this age?' The boy replied that someone had invited me to Addis convinced him to receive a job offer to help his family. Once he arrived, the person didn't keep his promise. So, I managed and started begging to survive.
A woman natural maternal extinct for a child is unrehearsed, feeling responsible for making sure this young boy is safe; Melat took him home and searched until she reunited the young boy with his family. When I saw the happiness on his face and his mother's, I was motivated to help others. I knew then that I wanted to change the behavior of today's youth and assist them in advancing in education and ethics.
"I enjoy the daughter-mother time; there’s nothing more refreshing than drinking coffee with her."
A man is a firm like the words he speaks! Melat, suggest one should think twice or more before they speak. Choosing the book, movie, or people, we entertain carefully would be wise. For this very reason, I prefer quiet places to meditate, entertain, spend time with close friends reminiscing over old times and future ambitions. She enjoys eating “Injera with Shiro” and Senegalese “Rice with Fish.” She says it's advisable to eat organic foods, which play a significant role in our success and happiness.
When not traveling and spreading time with friends, she finds warmth in reading; “Wonderful Ethiopian of the ancient Cushitic Empire'', ''The Monk who sold his Ferrari,” and “Things Fall Apart,” to name a few books in her collection. Melat ends by saying that I enjoy the daughter-mother time; there’s nothing more refreshing than drinking coffee with her.
My mother taught me those empowering women through education is the key to the future. It is our responsibility to make family affairs the priority. Concluding, Life has many faces; in life, what has been done is already done. The point is that we should learn from the women before us; although there are many challenges to come, never give up.
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