About three weeks ago, on Team Thursday, Achamyelesh was introduced to you. Since June of this year, she has been working in Addis Ababa as Project Manager for PROJECT-E, thus making a decisive contribution to the successful handling of all activities in the PROJECT-E Hospitality Institute (PEHI). Today we want to take a closer look at her activities at the PEHI and explain in more detail which goals she is pursuing with PROJECT-E.

Achamyelesh Shalemo was born in Addis Ababa, where she completed her education, later worked in the city both in the educational sector and in the Ethiopian anti-corruption commission, an independent political institution, and has now found her way to the PROJECT-E Hospitality Institute (PEHI). She first found out about PROJECT-E at the time of the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, and she describes her new involvement as a positive event in an otherwise turbulent moment. “It was a blessing for me to be given the chance to pursue PROJECT-E’s mission and vision,” says Achamyelesh. Working for the empowerment of women, especially those from more modest backgrounds, is one of her passionate interests, and she has had the desire to become active in the field of development work for a long time.

              When Achamyelesh started work at the PEHI in June, the institute had already been closed due to the measures taken to prevent the spread of the corona virus. The daily learning routine was different from usual, as the students had to stay at home and the working days of the staff were reduced. Nevertheless, Covid-related government regulations obliged both staff and trainees to undertake regular activities. So the organisation of remote learning was one of Achamyelesh’s tasks, which could be continued thanks to the working materials provided, recorded learning videos and the exchange between teachers and students, via e-mail or social media. However, the Project Manager’s activities in the last few months already went far beyond the organisation of the teaching and included the introduction of new volunteers on site, dealing with financial issues and ensuring technical equipment was operational. Since taking up her post, Achamyelesh has already proved she is highly motivated and still has many ideas for improving the project. “I am working on strategic issues to enhance the image of PROJECT-E,” she explains. These include, among other things, starting to search for a better equipped training building for the extension of the project; plans to hire a PR officer in Addis; and organising training courses to, as she says, “promote a healthy and motivated working environment”. The idea of opening new programmes in the future based on market-oriented feasibility studies is also mentioned by Achamyelesh as an important aspect of her future plans for PROJECT-E. One thing is clear to her: “Only through joint efforts and the commitment of both Team International and Team Addis Ababa can my vision for the future be realized!”