What does your job entail? What happens on your average day at work?
Deje: I work as a housekeeper and recently, with Melkam’s promotion, I have become the head of housekeeping. My job is to make sure the factory is clean before employees come in. I come in at 6:15 (ok, sometimes 6:20) in the morning to make sure the factory is ready to go for the day.
Fehta: I work as a stamper; once the cutters have finished, they bring the leather to me to be stamped. What this means is that I place all the logos on the leather. I have different sizes for the different bag designs, and I stamp so many every day that I couldn't even tell you how many come across my station!
What is your favorite thing about working for Parker Clay?
Deje: I love everything about working at Parker Clay! If I had to choose just one thing then it would have to be the people that I get to work with.
Fehta: There’s nothing I don’t like, I really love everything about working here. I also really enjoy my job – it's pretty satisfying.
What does working in sustainable fashion mean to you?
Deje: It’s a huge deal. The jobs I had prior to this were never full-time and definitely not secure or sustainable, so it’s nice to know I have a place here.
Fehta: For me, I'm really proud that all the employees are Ethiopians. So sustainable fashion is something that allows them to work and change their lives themselves.
What's your favorite food or drink?
Deje: I absolutely love mango juice! But for food I don’t know… actually, I do – it's tibs.
Fehta: My favorite drink would be Fanta Apple and the food I enjoy the most is firfir.
What is your favorite day of the year? Why?
Deje: I love New Year (meskerem annd), because it means we made it through all the days of the previous year and we are moving on into a new year in peace. It’s really nice.
Fehta: I don’t have a single favorite day of the year really, but I like Fridays a lot. If I had to choose a holiday, well, I really only celebrate two holidays. Out of the two I like Aftir the most, because it’s the holiday we celebrate outside of the home and gather with family. The main celebration is held in Saudi Arabia.
How do you like to spend your free time?
Deje: During my free time I love to just relax and enjoy it! Once I finish all my house work, I would meet up with my friends and relatives and we would have a few drinks and talk.
Fehta: During my free time I enjoy playing PlayStation games at the game zone nearby. I enjoy playing FIFA and I also like watching soccer – my favorite team is Chelsea.
If you had to leave Ethiopia, what would you miss the most?
Deje: No, no. I have no desire to live outside of my country, ever! If I left Ethiopia I would miss my country and my people too much.
Fehta: I don’t have a desire to live outside of Ethiopia, but if for some reason I left the country... I would really miss my family. I do have a sister outside of the country, but she's the only one of the six of us who has left. Four girls, my brother, and me!