Today we’d like to introduce you to Tadelech “Tadu” Weldetatyos.
Tadelech, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was born and raised in Tigray, Ethiopia. I grew up in a big family with love and care. My mother and oldest brother were huge influences on my perspective of life. My mother used to say, “I don’t like to see a cloudy day nor an angry person.” My brother used to say, “Smile from your heart. Be kind all the way.” These words stuck with me all my life.
At a young age, whenever I saw friends or families in conflict, I wouldn’t feel right ignoring the situation and tried to be the mediator to help in any way I could. As I came into adulthood, my resolution to end conflicts and create peace only grew stronger.
As I continued my journey of life, everything growing inside of me was about forgiveness and peace. Forgiveness is not easy. And yet, “without forgiveness, we will not achieve peace.’’ When I see people forgive each other and see the smile on their faces, I feel very happy and encouraged to see more happiness in others.
As technology grew, I continued to encourage family and friends with forgiveness and peace by texts, email, phone calls, etc. Then, my daughters became big supporters. They are my all-time life influences. The day I decided to meet my friends, who I call my sisters, in person and share my experience with peace and forgiveness, I discussed it with my kids beforehand. The encouragement they gave me was unforgettable. My husband and my daughters were very happy and excited to see me pursue my passion.
The time was right, and I got ready to encourage women of all ages in building a culture of peace, without affiliation with politics or religion, or partiality to color, race, ethnicity, or nationality, because peace and humanity have no boundaries. I focused on women of all ages, because I believe mothers play a big role in teaching our children from the grassroots about forgiveness and peace. Parents are a child’s first teachers, but the mother is the foremost teacher, as she is the closest to the child since birth.
On November 29, 2016, my dream came true, and All My Sisters Around the World for Peace was born. Two months later, on January 22, 2017, I called all of my sisters in Georgia for the first coffee meeting and shared my experiences with forgiveness and peace. As we discussed our experiences and shared our ideas, sisters began to stand up and embrace each other, giving and accepting forgiveness. On this day, my sisters around Georgia showed the world that voluntary forgiveness from the heart is possible and became an example for the next generation.
Since that day, we have been actively empowering women, and helping mothers in need. We also received our Proclamation for Forgiveness Day, issued by Governor Brian P. Kemp. Now, every year on January, 22nd, more sisters can officially celebrate Forgiveness Day in Georgia. Today, we have more sisters from different states and countries joining us on the journey. We all continue to actively promote forgiveness and support friends and families while sending words of peace to spread around the world.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Life is full of challenges, and all challenges are part of the journey. Learning how to overcome challenges can bring you many benefits if you have the right point of view. Each one of them is an opportunity for personal growth. My challenges have encouraged me to pursue the path of peace and forgiveness. I remember sometime ago, I tried to help a friend, but it did not work out as we ended up misunderstanding each other. But I didn’t stop there. Forgiveness is not easy. Some people need more time. We need to be patient, listen to them without judgment, and understand them with empathy. Try to communicate as much as you can, because communication is important in our lives. If we do that we can have a positive impact in our communities. Above all, the road with my sisters has been really amazing. Having support from your family and surrounding yourself with positive influences are very helpful. Since the day we started, we are motivating, encouraging, and uplifting each other.
We’ve been impressed with All My Sisters Around the World for Peace, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
All My Sisters Around The World For Peace, Inc., hereafter referred as AMSATWFP, was established as a nonprofit organization in the state of Georgia on November 29, 2016. The purpose of AMSATWFP is to empower women of all ages by providing comprehensive educational resources on forgiveness and reconciliation to create peace and stability in our state, nation and world. Educational resources are given through workshops, seminars, events, and motivational messages to local, national, and global communities.
AMSATWFP is nonpolitical, nonreligious and is organized under the nonprofit, public benefit corporation law of charitable purpose within the meaning of section 501 (c) (3) of the internal revenue code.
We believe in fortifying women in the areas of Peace, Love, Forgiveness, Tolerance, Respect, Dignity, Acceptance, Equality, Motivation, Inspiration, Mercy, and Kindness. Our Goals • To encourage women of all ages in building a culture of peace, without affiliation to politics or religion, or partiality to color, race, ethnicity, or nationality. • To empower women to play a vital role in shaping society by providing forgiveness education through seminars, workshops, and conferences in their communities and around the world. • To promote that forgiveness creates better wellness, greater optimism and hope, and less stress. • To create an atmosphere where women in every corner of the globe can help each other in times of need, and can help maintain their human dignity. • To establish and fortify a network of women in different parts of the world to stay connected and share experiences with a focus on uplifting each other. • To work with other nonpolitical and nonreligious organizations on shared causes and to strengthen and sustain a common ground. We are also • Encouraging sisters who voluntarily and wholeheartedly give and accept forgiveness by awarding Certificates of Appreciation • Recognizing volunteer sisters who demonstrate their commitment to forgiveness and peace and motivate sisters to create peaceful environments around them with the Volunteer of the Year award • Empowering our sisters by celebrating their life events and birthdays every month • Fortifying mothers in need. We distributed 5,240 receiving blankets to new mothers in 24 hospitals in Tigray, Ethiopia, through the Sisters Helping Sisters Project. Now the ongoing conflict in Tigray, Ethiopia, and coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic are impacting mothers. Both issues are increasing violence, poverty, and hunger in vulnerable populations. So, we are raising money to help less fortunate mothers with food, receiving blankets, and sanitary products. At this time, we are holding conference calls to encourage sisters and their loved ones during COVID-19, and to spread awareness of COVID-19 preventative measures, mental health and other topics. There are other organizations that work on forgiveness, but our organization focuses on women. Mothers play a big role in teaching our children from the grassroots about forgiveness and peace. Teaching our children will help them to solve their problems in the best way possible and live with much less conflict. The world depends on our next generation, who will take our place and make the difference in humanity. We believe that if we empower our children with the right tools and skills of forgiveness, the next generation will become powerful peacemakers. I have also run my own business since 2004. I specialize in logo digitizing and creation, custom embroidery, monogramming, screen printing, film printing and more. Embroidery +Print LLC (770)426-1725 https://embroideryplusprint.com
What was your favorite childhood memory?
My favorite memory from my childhood would have to be spending time with my older brother GebreKidan. He was the one who influenced me the most in my life and taught me the value of life, integrity, and human decency. My brother always has had such a profound effect on me. All of these memories are timeless treasures of my heart.
Contact Info:
- Email: allmysistersforpeace@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.allmysistersforpeace.org/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allmysis.forpeace.1
