Ethiopian sisters, Blen and Selam Tesfalem, visited Rwanda two years ago with a plan to see the country and return to theirs. However, they didn’t go back. The two say they “fell in love” with the country and the people, so they relocated to Kigali for good. “We called our parents and told them we weren’t going back. When dad and mom heard about it, they were like, what? What kind of country are you guys living in?” they said. They came to Rwanda upon the invitation of Blen’s Rwandan boyfriend, who met in China as students. He used to tell her about the country and highly encouraged her to visit the East African country. “He used to tell me to come to Rwanda, saying it’s nice here,” Blen said. When Blen packed her bags to travel to Rwanda, Selam, who was a fashion designer in Ethiopia, said she would come along. They got to Kigali in 2022, without any plans of staying. ALSO READ: From vulnerable refugee to thriving hospitality business owner; Jacqueline Niyonzima’s story “We never thought we would live here. I was hesitating,” Selam said, adding that she had plans to join her boyfriend in Canada. “The whole plan was to complete my process in Rwanda to go to Canada to join my boyfriend, but I loved Rwanda on my first day here,” Selam told The New Times. Back then, Selam and Blen thought, “There is no way Rwanda is like this. The safety, the cleanliness, and everything.” Selam said she had to halt her plans to move to Canada due to her first-hand experience with Rwanda. “I decided to settle here, work here, and build my life here, though I ended up breaking up with my boyfriend. We both didn’t think the long-distance relationship would work for us,” she said. My boyfriend wanted us to live in Canada, Selam continued, while I wanted to live in Rwanda forever. The sisters said that when their parents heard about their decision to not return to Ethiopia, they could not understand what had attracted them to Rwanda and they responded that they felt safer. What stood out in Rwanda “Living in Rwanda as a woman, you are safe,” they said. This is what stood out for them from all the experiences they have had in the country so far. “In other countries, they will harass you, you are not safe when you are walking on the streets, even if you are in your own shop. They can do things that make you uncomfortable, harass you, and more,” Selam noted. “On our second day in Rwanda, we stayed out late and were surprised by the way we could walk freely on the streets at night. And safety is not just in fancy neighbourhoods. It is everywhere,” they said. Blen and Salaam, who recently opened a fast food business, Quick Bites, in the Imbuga City Walk car-free zone, said that they also find doing business in Rwanda easy. “The process of doing business is easy because of the assistance you get. People here advise you and encourage you,” Blen said. The business partners say they have been getting good reviews on Google about their food. In addition, they say that their specialty is their hamburger and shawarma. For Selam, her love for fashion has not faded. She still has plans to pursue it soon. Cultural shock, similarities between Rwanda and Ethiopia As has been established by several foreigners who visit Rwanda, Selam and Blen are also yet to get used to the staring culture. “It’s been two years since we moved here but I’m not used to it yet,” said Blen. Another cultural shock they say they encountered, besides not seeing many cultural events in Rwanda like in Ethiopia, was the cleanliness of the country. ALSO READ: Culture shock through the eyes of a foreigner in Rwanda On similarities, they said that Rwandans and Ethiopians look very much alike, especially the women. Talking about their prospects, they said they anticipate their business to grow and have other branches in the country. Blen wants to also get married. But they see their future in Rwanda. Celebrating International Women’s Day in Rwanda The sisters insist that working in Rwanda as women is not hard. They think the country is filled with many opportunities. “I always encourage people to come to Rwanda, especially women, because they are supported here,” Blen said. The two said that this year’s International Women’s Day, marked on March 8, meant a lot to them because this time, they are in business. “It’s nice because we opened our business. It is a great experience where you get to meet many people. As women, we are very proud. Our families are proud, especially our mom,” they said.
