Ethiopian sisters on 'living in Rwanda as women', cultural shock, starting a business

Watch Ethiopian sisters, Blen and Selam Tesfalem, tell how they visited Rwanda two years ago with a plan to see the country and return to theirs. They ended up “falling in love” with the country and the people, prompting them to relocate to Kigali for good, and even started a business together.

[@addisalemgirma619]

Now this is what Africa needs! Her children working together beyond their limits. Proud of you sisters. 👏👏

[@aledomer6805]

Yes, my sister! Embracing life without boundaries and nurturing this exquisite African land that sustains us.

[@chrisadamudu6521]

Africa without borders

[@jaycommonsense2468]

And without tribalism

[@RastaAfricanGentleman]

Loving everyone on the comments right now. Legal migration, legal hustles, adding to the economy of that country and definitely affording yourself a better life quality

[@benyamtesema4089]

Thanks Rwanda 🇷🇼 giving Opportunity for this two beautiful Ethiopian sisters I can see they’re very happy to be there no doubt they make Ethiopia and Rwanda proud of them and they will be successful in their life Thanks

[@melkammigbar5623]

I think those girls giving Rwandan ab opportunity. They are being an example and showing perspective for young entrepreneurs.

[@arsemabamkaku3275]

I have Big Rispect Rwanda. From Ethiopia 🇪🇹 ♥️ 😊

[@meklitk.9703]

They should learn the language if they are planning for long-term

[@isaiedushimimana6628]

​@@meklitk.9703no problem of language in Rwanda

[@drsnmchl]

I know Rwanda is home of beautiful people. And we love to see Africans working border crossing. We love Rwanda and the people over there 🇪🇹🇷🇼

[@ephremtamirat6280]

ጀግኖች የሀገሬ ልጆች Ethiopia 🇪🇹♥❤😍

[@aleaiacetaest9132]

አኮሩን 😊

[@nahshonimmanuel1704]

I live in Canada, she’s a genius for staying in Rwanda.

[@Panafrica2023]

I concur.

[@neoreign]

I live in Canada too, I want to move to Rwanda and start a business. I don't speak the language, do you think English is enough?

[@nahshonimmanuel1704]

@@neoreign the people there are fluent in English French and I hear some know Flemish

[@ntwalijeanmarie927]

@@neoreign why do you want to leave canada?

[@yonathanasefaw9001]

​@@ntwalijeanmarie927I live in Canada too, it sucks badly.

[@loveeritreapeaceeritrea9847]

Good job sisters keep up I wish all African countries just like Rwanda safe to work👍👍👍🇪🇷🇪🇷🇪🇷

[@tsttk9165]

😂😂😂😂

[@nurturingglobal2local473]

Great job girls, just last year I bought lands in Kanyinya, Rwanda & built chicken & honey farm for the village women, yes, together we are going to make Africa better place.

[@Kdac123]

I am an Ethiopian studying in Germany. I am learning Kiswahili in preparation to move to one of the Kiswahili speaking countries in East Africa. Their story motivates me to act upon it.

[@shkorinaBowey]

good on you don’t west your time go and work for Africa develop your own I am Eritrean Australian lived in so many different countries in Africa Africa is the best place to be trust me just take the knowledge and good luck ❤

[@meklitk.9703]

I don't think u r ethiopian

[@Kdac123]

@@meklitk.9703 ዋት ሜድ ዩ ሴይ ዛት?

[@Kdac123]

@@meklitk.9703 ዋት ሜድ ዩ ሴይ ዛት?

[@nassergabriel4778]

​@@meklitk.9703 Of course he is, and so am I. but I was born and raised in Norway and am currently based in London, UK. Over the past five years, I've been on and off in Kigali and Nairobi, involved in buying real estate and getting to know our neighbors. There's a significant community of Ethiopian/Eritrean diasporas and local Ethiopians who have relocated to Kigali and Musanze. Additionally, Michael Tesfay, who is Ethiopian, is marrying the Rwandan aristocrat Naomie Ishimwe this year. Checkout Dr. Harnet, for example, shes Habesha and have moved her entire family there from Germany permanently, there's essentially a Habesha settlement in Bugasera, a suburb under development outside of Kigali. You also find lots of Oromos coming as well. Kigali is the future !

[@eskihaile8246]

Beautiful sisters with beautiful attitude. best of of luck!!! Great to see Rewanda hosting them. As African we should host all Africans...

[@sileysiley4888]

ALLAH bless you

[@KobbeRJacc]

Ethiopia is one of the most important countries in Africa, I think there's much to learn from that great country which inherited much of Black history and civilization

[@TemplarX2]

Nigeria and Ethiopia are basically the two biggest potential economies in Africa.

[@BBGL02]

That Country is literally the D3vil of the East.. please get some basic knowledge. To their Internal Groups & outside they were absolute H€ll. Not just in the Past did they start the M ess with their Neighbors (Somalia, Eritrea and Sudan) but at this very moment too in their very own Country. Tigray Region had the worse W ar in the 21th Century because of them. And what do u mean with History? Tigray has the most History in that Country (first Christians with Eritrea, Axum Empire shared with Eritrea and etc). And Sudan and Eritrea have in general greater History. #FreeTigray

[@brookgirma5419]

@@BBGL02 Tell me the time when Ethiopia fought out of its borders? Almost all of the wars Ethiopians fought with other countries were when we we're being attacked. If you want to talk about Eritrea that happened when you guys were in power "weyane". Even the war with somalia happened because they tried to occupy the eastern part of Ethiopia. And we have never went into sudanese territory. This level of ignorance and pure hate for Ethiopia is just sad.

[@eliasgetnet5099]

@@BBGL02 የባንዳ ልጅ ቆሻሻ

[@BBGL02]

@@brookgirma5419 What are u talking about? 🤦🏻‍♀️. Ethiopia annexed Eritrea, that’s why the brutal & unnecessary 30 Year W9r was.. they had to fght to get free from Ethiopia’s Annexation. Woyane is Tigrayan, it established and was supported & equipped by Eritreans much later. 2) Ethiopia still occupies Somalian land (Ogaden). 3) Just at the End of 2020 Amhara rebels, which were supported by the Ethiopian Government, tried to take Al Fashaga in East Sudan. They entered while ambu shing several Sudanese troops and took the lifes of 1 Official & Soldiers. Then Sudan mobilized Soldiers & captured all Villages in the Region. Then Sudan captured 11 Places Amhara Militia controlled, including the one which the Commanders live in. Oh and 6 Civilians d9ed due to them Rebels in Algiraish (East Sudan) in early 2021. Ethiopia started its Conflicts with Eritrea, Sudan, Somalia. Not just in Past but also recent time… as I said 2020/21 Sudan and 2024 Port Deal which can trigger Somalia. Don’t be so out of reality next time :)

[@Impano1]

Just feel at home 🇷🇼 sisters from Ethiopia 🇪🇹

[@mamokilo]

Ethiopia government should learn from Rwanda. It is very inspiring what is happening in Rwanda. In one generation the transformation is amazing

[@TH-qk6ez]

Ethiopian "politicians" are too busy stirring up ethnic bullsh*t...

[@learntulearn848]

IN RWANDA BEZERR MEDERAJET KILKIL NEWE IN ETHIOPIA BEZERR MEDERAJET YEMIMERA HAGER NEWE - selezih ETHIOPIA GOVERNMENT WILL NEVER LEARN from RWANDA

[@dawg929]

Ethiopian gov never learns😢

[@btrueeth]

​@@learntulearn848That part is good. Unfortunately, its run by a dictator. When he leave office or I believe he will die in office, they may revert to killing each others. He is like Meles Zenawi. He's not training someone to replace him. Also, the democracy situation is not developed. No dissenting voice allowed.

[@pro_derek]

You have such a deep love and appreciation for our country-it's truly inspiring to witness.

[@tesfomkahsay7743]

It's good to see Rwanda as a land of opportunity after what they've gone through in the past.

[@jordanw3048]

I love 🇷🇼, very clean and safe country.

[@Kigali_AddisVibes]

Thank you for hosting us ❤😊

[@ishimwejeanregis9347]

We coming to support you

[@jamesmazimpaka8824]

You look beautiful 😍 exactly the right girl looks like my sister 🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼Rwanda is great

[@Kigali_AddisVibes]

@@ishimwejeanregis9347thanks

[@user-gb4rd2hb4q]

enatachu tibeda. shele hula. lemebedat rwanda dires hedachu? shele

[@YordanosF]

@@user-gb4rd2hb4q በስመአብ አንተ ምን ሆነህ ነው u gotta chill አሜሪካ ካናዳ ሞናምን ቢሆን የምትለውን ታውቀዋለህ ያምሀል እንዴ ምን አይነት ቤተሰብ ነው ያሳደገህ ምን አይነት የተጨማለቀ ጭንቅላት ነው ያለህ እይይ አንተን አግልሎ ማስቀመጥ ነው ትውልድ ታበላሻለህ ተሳዳቢ ሰው ሁሌም የማያልፍለት ወይ ቅናተኛ ነው ቲሽሽ!

[@Aminah_11.11]

A Rwandan here. The staring is weird for me too haha 😂 May god bless and protect you girls in Rwanda. May your business prosper 🙏🙏🥰🥰🥰

[@Jesusmysavior245]

True true Always my husband saying it …Rwandan we staring at people too much 😢

[@angeliquekamariza3485]

@@Jesusmysavior245 turakabya kbs

[@inna7803]

​@@Jesusmysavior245 Burundian here, nanje nukuri once i was like.. did I do something wrong or did I miss...

[@gmchrisx]

it's because we look much alike so it's nice to see a different person for a change so we stare😀

[@user-ev5fj1rm3y]

When they say "to start business the system and everything is easy" woow, here in Ethiopia like there are very big potentials and market but to start business bro the complication, uncaring gov't officials, high rent, you have to pay tax even for new one(no gap for starting businesses), plus now the war, politics and safety issues it will make you loss your mind. Keep it up Rwanda, The time should be with Africa.

[@naniassefa4774]

So proud of you sisters 🫶🫶African for Africa!!

[@AbdihagimuseAbdidariiqo-vu6si]

Great. Ethiopia 🇪🇹 and Somalian Diaspora. Must investire In 🇷🇼 Rwanda I like Kigali 👍 Courage 2 Sister

[@abshirhirsi5187]

My heart is warmed by seeing these lovely girls. I hope for you all the blessings and a bright future. Your Somali brother.

[@eskihaile8246]

That's very kind of you our brother from Somalia.......

[@tsegayebelay3007]

Respect n love for Ruwanda from 🇪🇹

[@SABRA418]

I Love Rwanda 🇷🇼 so much ❤❤❤

[@everythinglidd]

Go ladies I’m proud of my Ethiopian sisters!

[@weaganmusonda8696]

Hi

[@jesuslovesme7440]

Rwanda looks beautiful 😍 🤩 👌 ❣️

[@ethiotesfalem7096]

ደስታዬን ልገልፀው አልችልም ❤️❤️እግዚያብሄር ይጠብቃችሁ🙏🏽🥰👏

[@sileysiley4888]

Love ethiopians

[@Tefera-hf8fw]

what the big deal to go to another african country and set up road side fast food joint?

[@bazimyan]

​@@Tefera-hf8fwyou sound like a loser.

[@UnitedAfrica-uw9ct]

@@Tefera-hf8fw courage...!

[@desstadessta]

our Ethiopian sisters enjoy your stay in Rwanda.

[@helvebig2613]

Should I take you home? Get me here in safari sammit

[@desstadessta]

@@helvebig2613 i dont get it😂 i am in Ethiopia right now

[@helvebig2613]

@@desstadessta I am in Ethiopia too but from Rwanda.

[@Toronto6]

@@helvebig2613what the hell you talking about?!

[@helvebig2613]

@@Toronto6 I ain't talking to you.

[@citizenm9590]

East Africans look alike because we are the same people and the whole Africa we are strong united divided we fall.

[@Tefera-hf8fw]

No we aren't pick up a book or two

[@lugaritzbrown2250]

​@@Tefera-hf8fwsimple thinking we share genes like for example all east Africans bantu or Nilotic have cushitic genes.

[@dawg929]

Beautiful sisters. Kigali is a great city. Well done, Rwanda❤

[@dailydose-8503]

It makes me Eager to visit and invest in Ruanda .Thank you The new Times for bringing inspiration story of this beautiful Girls.

[@kokebgezahegngetahun4604]

Happy for both of you .Thank you Rwanda for accepting our children.

[@EgideNshimiyimana-vp1px]

Come and visit Rwanda. Yu'll love it.

[@creator-Ethiopia]

I am from 🇪🇹My beautiful sisters, I’m glad to see you great, keep going the good work

[@Kigali_AddisVibes]

Thank you

[@addisababa7999]

I​@Kigali_AddisVibes I need your location guys won't wist you from swiss thanks

[@ab435]

@@Kigali_AddisVibes watching you from Canada I’m really proud of you and I hope that one day you become super wealthy with your business ventures salam Salam

[@Ojo787]

You sister's make me loved this country, I was planning to come Uganda if I have enough money, so now I have 2 options, Thank you Rwanda from Ethiopia united state of Amhara

[@haregeweinabdisa8967]

ኑሮን እንደሚመኙት ሳይሆን እንደያዙት ነዉ.:: ስለዚህ ደስታችዉ ይጋባል :: አርፋችሁ በሰላም ኑሩ :: እግዚአብሔር ይጠብቃችሁ ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@hmowlid8458]

Thanks Rwanda fo welcoming Africans . If every other African country is doing what Rwanda is doing ,Africa will be a better place .

[@fqrinkulu1571]

GOD BLESS RWANDAN

[@mellatmeli5407]

Can't wait to visit soon and try the food so proud of you both and thank you The news time for this kind of video 🫶🏽love all the way from UK 🇬🇧

[@Kigali_AddisVibes]

Thank you so much ! Feel free to contact us for any questions you might have

[@solomonbisrat4006]

Well done girls, you are a great example for many people out in Ethiopia and beyond!!!👏🇪🇹👏🇪🇷👏🇪🇹👏

[@IrakozeLIVE]

This was really cute to watch! Good luck to these sisters ❤🎉

[@Beluna798]

as an Ethiopian I luv ruwanda and want to visit the country.

[@magerafwadiog2769]

You're welcome ❤❤ Buut it's not ruwanda pls It's Rwanda thank you

[@estifanosaskale1921]

I visited ruwand 4times from Kampala I love very much save clean so beautiful

[@ingabirebe6571]

Welcome home ❤

[@ladylelep.1946]

Beautiful ladies. This is great to see, Well done , your parents are blessed to have such courageous daughters. from 🇿🇦

[@hailelleultesera8643]

I never thought it would be this good 😮

[@Alphasantury]

Nice story and i appriciate Rwanda for gives this Chance to these girls, Rwanda is the only country hope for Africa

[@georgendegwandungu5539]

Folks !!!! This our young sisters needs all our support that we can accord them,, congratulations🎉 and keep up the good job👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿you are changing the narrative that every good thing cames from the west,,, please let's share this widely

[@wudethiopiawy9027]

you are hard working ,have good bond if you go on this way you will have a well known restaurant in the world. Bravo sisters keep it up.

[@samuelwilliams8099]

My goodness these two sisters are extremely beautiful. And they fully aware that they are beautiful. They knows how to play with the camera.

[@user-fn5el2pp9x]

ቆንጆዎቹ ተጠንቀቁ ! ደስትላላችሁ።

[@moseskato8413]

These sisters are full of vibes💪💪

[@Onemovie12]

ET and RW are always relatable peoples, a great country, people, culture and especially leader (Paul Kagame is a role model for African leaders, we love you sir). Someday I just want to marry Rwandan girl. I'm proud to be an African!

[@mariepauliennegateteuwanyu9983]

Am here

[@MySangwa]

Selam!! So nice to see you this. Welcome to Kigali!!!

[@greenheaven1802]

To my Sisters I’m proud of you you made me focus more on Rwanda to visit more thank you

[@yemiserachgutullo619]

I proud my Lovely sisters gorgeous from Canada❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@sibomanaemmanuel1831]

Rwanda 🇷🇼 ❤️ and Ethiopia 🇪🇹❤️

[@stonemdrmdr8315]

Great story…wish you super success……..we all wish Ethiopia can learn from Rwanda…..

[@jesuslovesme7440]

When I used to hear Rwanda, the first thing that came to my mind was the war, but now I want to visit Rwanda , ❤❤❤

[@butterfly2349]

Please let's go, that's my wish to visit Rwanda

[@CyuzuzoAnneMarie-mi4um]

You are most welcome in our homeland! If you need any assistance don’t hesitate to contact me.

[@Toronto6]

Good job ladies….work hard and smart and you will be successful in the next 5 to 10 years. Don’t stop 🛑

[@net7967]

For some reason i love Rwanda i hope one day visit that country ❤❤❤❤

[@twagirumukizamoses8932]

Am glad tht you are very happy from my country hopefully one day we shall experience same in your country in Addiss tooo me here staying in Ethiopia no much opportunities for forgneirs but still in lov with you guys😂❤

[@lolaispure4296]

Just yesterday i was in an ethiopian restaurant here in Rwanda

[@kibindankoi9824]

Two beatiful african women. Let's be proud of this continent.

[@DONATIENTURIMAKAGA-ch4id]

I am Rwandan by Nationality I thank my Government 🇷🇼to gave these sisters of opportunities of doing business in Rwanda But Ethiopia also must learn how Rda do , because in Ethiopia it's not easy to start business there easly

[@beltusnkwawir2908]

It's refreshing to see Africans from other African countries geniunely praise other African states. We need more of such videos. Proud of these girls. Wishing them goodluck on their new business!!

[@nebiyutesfaye3620]

Such strong girls. melkam edl ehitoche

[@yacobfantaye4658]

I sm ethiopian ,i like and tespect paul kagami,how he took out his country from such terible fighting and stabilize and change it to breautiful and lovely❤❤

[@ntwaridonatien2723]

Welcome to Rwanda beautiful ladies!!!!

[@WONDE3166]

የኛ ጀግኖች💚💛❤️one African 👆🏿

[@lazarus8780]

I am really happy to see young Africans talking after travelling through Europe I assure both of you will live to thank God for your decision.

[@rockykirabiranyakimomo]

much love from Rwanda and Ethiopia

[@PAIKUN.]

Now I want to come try their food. Greetings from Washington

[@Ojo787]

Hello from silver spring

[@alemtiruneh8137]

አረ! እናንተ ጀግኖች ናችሁ!!! እግዚአብሄር ይባርካችሁ ይጠብቃችሁም!!!…ለብዙዎች ጥላ ያድርጋችሁ!!!..

[@aajabbinmagosh5509]

Africa should allow free movement for its citizens it will be beneficial for the continent ❤

[@neoreign]

just make starting business easy like rwanda. i want to leave canada and start a business there, i can't take more winters lol

[@Adis001]

Golden girl's keep going grate awesome job !!!

[@yohanneskumlachew7333]

keep it up girls. Big love from Ethiopia!!

[@marakiplanet]

We need more African stories like this. Thank you for this inspirational story, The New Times Rwanda. I will feature a brief story about them in my upcoming Rwandan episode. Love from Ethiopia 🖤

[@getahunhaile-vg1fe]

I think mixing with the community seems simple. I am proud of your work ethics. If the DNA test is conducted in both Ethiopia and Rwanda it’s no question that we will find out that we’re related. I think that’s why intuitively plan to visit my second home town Kigali after my retirement. Sisters you are on the right track keep on moving. A tiny country but symbolic to all African nations

[@lugaritzbrown2250]

Yeah Tutsis in Rwanda and bahima,banyankole of Uganda and many tribes in Kenya such as Maasai have a lot of genes from the horn of Africa,almost half if their genes are from Ethiopia mostly oromo.

[@girumaschalew1700]

Rwandans have the same skin color to Ethiopians ,I heard Rwanda women's are so beautiful as Ethiopians ❤❤🇪🇹👍🙏🇯🇲❤️ big salutes for Rwanda from Ethiopian Rastafarians 🙏🙏🇯🇲

[@lugaritzbrown2250]

Not skin colour much but physical features,look at president kagame and his family...even president museveni of Uganda and his family.

[@Eyob797]

Kudos to you girls, such an inspiring story.

[@AfroGlobalNetwork]

My 🇪🇹Ethiopian Ladies!! 😘 please, stay in 🇷🇼Rwanda cos you're a good example of upcoming African entrepreneurs. We L❤VE you guys very much. Thank you for promoting #Africa

[@charleskirina267]

Afro Vibes,you have made Africa Proud

[@issahakuadama2217]

This is great to see how my sisters are working together. Kudos this is what we need in Africa

[@user-mr1bh1ox9y]

የሀገር፡ልጆችችችችች።🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@MARIAM_1983]

Whay ethiopian girls are so beautiful ❤ mashaallah my allah bless you

[@shukri114mohammed2]

Italians and Yemenis were there , so possibly they have inherited!!!

[@countrymusiclovers-dx2gl]

@@shukri114mohammed2 what that's not true we are just pure

[@user-vv8vz2un8j]

​​@@shukri114mohammed2 Don't write assumption but fact.

[@KalkidanBerhanu-id2py]

Not true😂

[@esromteklemariyam9427]

😂wht a joke ​@@shukri114mohammed2

[@Ethiofirst201162]

ዕድለኞች ናችሁ። አሪፍ ሃገር ነው

[@JJAbdi]

Brilliant minds you opted the best option of staying Rwanda. Life is hard in Canada love from Somalia

[@htx1873]

I love watching you guys such beautiful bond y’all have . I wish you guys success in your business.

[@Kigali_AddisVibes]

Thank you

[@user-qr4hi3zq5p]

I am so proud the sisters

[@davidkoah9910]

Fantastic interview! Africa is beautiful and we need hear more stories and experiences like the sisters!:)

[@mayanzeyimana]

So cool!! I wish all those people spreading stories about #Rwanda in the #UK would see this. Proud of you girls!! I am going to come and try your food.

[@Canadian1987guy]

Im in Canda, im trying to transition back to Kenya, you are smart.

[@ghermaiberhu7284]

All the best for you sister's

[@ingabirebe6571]

I love Ethiopian people stay home safely

[@AW-bh6dy]

Good for you I am sure you will do great and keep us posted.

[@user-we5gt2sx8m]

good to know you guys hopefully i will be there i will visit you

[@Roby_tes]

Actually I’m planing moving to africa.thanks for the video it helps m

[@bikorasysteme8852]

Once I tested Ethiopian food it’s yummy😋😋

[@2007tclarke]

It was such a joy to watch you sisters, lovely smiles and bright positive energy! Warm greetings from Barbados! All the best with your business ventures.

[@tenagetahun8612]

So proud of you guys ❤

[@RJ-zk2rs]

I love the joy captured in this interview, the celebration of the country, all very inspirational

[@mikot4439]

Great job Guys , rooting for y'all

[@mateamat8440]

Congratulations and greetings from South America Brazil