Bethlehem Feleke

I was born and raised in a small town near the capital city, Addis Ababa, called Bishoftu. Bishoftu is a very beautiful town surrounded by multiple natural lakes and with wonderful landscapes. It also owns beautiful resorts. My father died of leukaemia when I was six. After the death of my father, my mother had to raise me and my brother as a single mother. I had a very happy and disciplined childhood. She used to work as an elementary teacher and even taught me mathematics when I was in grade four and six! She is my best example that a woman can be everything for her kids. I believe I have the most amazing and strongest mother in the world and am so much blessed for that.  

I graduated from Salam Nursing College as a clinical nurse and served afterwards for a total of eight years at two big university hospitals in Ethiopia, namely Tikur Anbessa specialized hospital (Addis Ababa University) and Ayder comprehensive specialized hospital (Mekelle University). In the meantime, I got my Master’s degree in general public health from the University of Gondar, after which I joined the CDC/ PEPFAR funded HIV project which specifically works on commercial sex workers in an effort to mitigate HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia. It also works on strengthening medical education by providing capacity building training to the Faculty. I have been married for nine years and have two beautiful daughters. My husband is a clinical doctor who works in Mekelle University, Ayder referral hospital.  

I am so pleased to join the ECLIPSE family as the Coordinator for the Ethiopia team in ECLIPSE.