From EnaWiga Book Club - Debbie, Mimi, Net, Paulos and Teki


As one of the founding member of EnaWiga, Mahletye this book club is one of your many legacies. Thank you for bringing life into the EnaWiga book club with your witty personality, deep perspectives, wisdom, guidance and inspiration. Since its beginning in 2006, we have read countless books, attended book reviews and met many authors. You are fearless, brilliant, passionate and forever curious about- everything. These aspects of you were frankly reflected in every book discussions or debates on current events. We have had many late nights: discussing, debating, laughing, and savoring every book, however, the same things cannot be said about, The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao or The Crow Eaters. We know that mentioning these two books will bring out your infectious laughter.

You have been the heart and soul of EnaWiga book club until the very last moment. When one of us moved away, be it temporarily or permanently, you made sure that we stayed connected in some way or another. Even when you were in and out of the hospital, you tried to keep up and your dedication is inspiring.

Every book has brought more questions, a call to action, and more growth & understanding, and then more questions, more knowledge, and more insights; and it just never stops. You always came well prepared with highlights, comments and plenty of supplements. You made sure to hold a comfortable space for us to share openly and have frank discussions. You often challenged us to dig deeper and think more creatively. We will miss your depth of knowledge, infectious radiant energy, insights, laughter, thoughtfulness, wittiness, and encouraging words. We lost our greatest Sensei.

We know that our book club will not be the same without you, but we can only hope to continue your legacy and strive to live our lives as you have taught us. As you always say to not sweat over the small stuff and we will be reminded of that. Your everlasting contribution and legacy will be remembered through all the books we have read and will continue to read in your honor. 

Mahletye this is never a goodbye, just a farewell until we see each other on the other side. We hope to find warmth through our fond memories. Forever in our hearts and minds, we love you and you will be greatly missed Mahletye!!

Farwell My Dear Friend

Even though you are gone


You are always beside us


Always near us


Always loved


Always missed


Your radiant smile


I can still see from a mile


Your amazing personality


Your stunning beauty


I will miss so dearly


Your intelligence


Your grace


Your resilience


No one can replace


Your bravery


Your tenacity


Fulfilled our heart in a very special way

Some of Mahlet’s favorite books from the Enawiga bookclub: How to be an Antiracist, Caste, Becoming, The Warmth of other Suns, Lords of Poverty, Confessions of an Economic Hit Man, Shanatram, Untapped: the scramble for African Oil, The Heartless Stone, The Book Thief 

A good heart has stopped beating, but a heart that has touched so many lives can’t help but live on in those it loved. I know for certain that we never lose the people we love, even to death. They continue to participate in every act, thought and decision we make. Their love leaves an indelible imprint in our memories.

Our deepest thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of grief.

From : Shiferaw Demissie, Almaz W/Mariam, Eskedar Shiferaw & Beruk Shiferaw.

Eteye Muluberhan, Gash Girma, Deborah, Abush, Leku, and family, we want you to know that we are thinking of you. Our prayers and thoughts are with you. May God bless you all and keep you strong during this trying time! You are not alone in this journey and we love you.

Chuniye, I understand your wish is to celebrate your life but the void you left behind is immeasurable. That past few days we watched and listened to family and friends talk about your legacy. As many people said, how is it possible one person can do all this in one lifetime? Not sure if God give you foresight but this feels like you must have known. You did what 99% of us won't do in our lifetime. The past few days gave us a picture, a perfect picture of a person we all want to be. Your capacity, impact, influence you possess seemed beyond this world. There is no word we can use to describe you. Your smile, grace, empathy, focus, and strength were the qualities we remember the most. What can we say, you were the entertainer when things were down. The positive one when things looked dark. You were the same with adults or kids. We were so fortunate to have you in our life. You are a role model to our daughter. Eldana loves you and respects you so much! We are all blessed to have known you. The only thing we regret is that we wish we knew you more.

Deborah and Leku you have been an amazing host. The forum you created helped all of us come together and celebrate Chuni's life. Not only that it helped us heal, inspire, encourage and be the best version of ourselves. Thank you for that.

Chuniye, you will always be in our hearts.

Love Makeda, Daniel, and Eldana