My first few years after I moved from Ethiopia to California, USA to live with my parents was nothing like what I expected it to be. It was completely shocking, confusing, and culturally very disorienting, because it was so much different from what I was used to in Ethiopia.  

It was a lot to navigate.  The new way of life was so different from my old culture, and I really felt the pressure to fit in and leave my heritage behind so that I could blend in.  For those who loved me, it was very concerning and worrying because I was on the verge of losing my connection to my Ethiopian roots with my faith, language, values and all of the traditions that are so important to us as Ethiopians.

In learning to straddle these two cultures, my new and heritage culture, I learned a huge amount. 

This very own personal experience turned into a passion for mentoring kids through Sunday Schools in helping and guiding them through similar challenges. 

Today I help families navigate this very challenging transition so that their children can integrate into their new culture, living in the Western world, while still remaining connected to their roots, culture/identity, language, healthy lifestyle and faith practice by making their road to success better, shorter, and smoother than mine.