His Life Story Will Be Launched on Saturday
Tewedaje Media and Communication’s “Mezgebe-Aemiro” (Amharic Encyclopedia) project is known for documenting the lives of individuals who have served their country.
These histories are presented through digital media, books, audio narratives, and other formats. Over the past four years and five months, the project has managed to document the life and work histories of 423 individuals. Their stories have been preserved in two separate books, each with 600 pages, ensuring they remain as a legacy across generations. In particular, since these stories are uploaded to the project’s digital platforms, they are easily accessible through Google searches.
Volume 3 of the Mezgebe-Aemiro book will include more than 20 fields, one of which is education. Among the distinguished individuals selected by the Mezgebe-Aemiro Board for leaving a significant mark in this field is Dr. Yayehyirad Kitaw. Dr. Yayehyirad Kitaw served as Minister of Education during the Derg era and is known for his deep love for his country.
Dr. Yayehyirad Kitaw’s biography will be launched on Tir 9, 2018 (Ethiopian calendar).
The book, titled “From a Mother’s Embrace to a Grandchildren’s old age support: consists of 350 pages. The book’s preparation and launch are handled by Tewedaje Media and Communication (Ezra Ejigu), and the editing was done by Naiegzi Hiruy.
On the same day, a three-hour audio documentary focusing on Dr. Yayehyirad Kitaw will be officially launched. It was jointly produced by Sabeih Zone and Tewedaje Media.
Dr. Yayehyirad Kitaw was one of the outstanding students of General Wingate School and also pursued his medical studies in France.
Having left an unforgettable mark during the Development Through Cooperation Campaign, Dr. Yayehyirad Kitaw’s life story has been presented in a concise form. Bersabeh Gete has prepared the following account of his life.
Birth and Childhood
Dr. Yayehyirad Kitaw is one of Ethiopia’s notable intellectuals. He was born on Megabit 22, 1932 (Ethiopian calendar) in Addis Ababa, in a neighborhood near what is now Ras Desta Hospital, formerly known as “Hakim Bora.” He recalls:
“I was born at home—today’s Ras Desta Hospital, where Graziani was treated after being wounded on Yekatit 12, is not even 100 meters from our house. When I was born, I didn’t cry like other babies, and since all the boys born before me had died, everyone had lost hope that a boy would survive. It was my elder sister who exclaimed, ‘Hey, he’s moving!’ and announced that I was alive.”
When it became clear that he was alive, the household was filled with joy and celebration. Until the age of seven, he was raised with special care and was called “Mamitu” so that his real name would not be known. He explains that he grew up hidden from people and even from God, wearing dark clothes, and that his hair was never shaved with a razor until he was about 25 years old.
Dr. Yayehyirad grew up in a large household that included relatives and servants, all living together with mutual respect and love. His father was a respected and beloved official who served his country faithfully. Dr. Yayehiyirad often speaks not only about his father but also about his mother, whom he describes as “the leader of the household.”
He did not attend traditional church school in his early childhood; instead, he began learning letters at home with the help of his elder sister. After turning seven, he attended the Swedish Mission School for two years, then transferred to Arbegnoch School for third grade and beyond. He vividly recalls memories from Arbegnoch School, including strict discipline during flag ceremonies.
Education
According to Dr. Yayehyirad’s account of the situation in 1948 (Ethiopian calendar): across Ethiopia there were 431 primary schools, 11 secondary schools (most in Addis Ababa), one university college, and one engineering college. There were 93,623 students in grades 1–8, but only 1,896 students in grade 8.
Secondary school enrollment (grades 9–12) totaled fewer than 3,500 students nationwide.
When he entered secondary school in 1949, only about 1,020 students were enrolled in grade 9 across the country.
A Passionate Student
Dr. Yayehyirad’s academic excellence began in childhood. He advanced rapidly, often completing two grades in one year. By 1948, he was able to sit for the grade 8 completion examination at an unusually young age. Upon entering secondary school in 1949, he was among a very small group of students nationwide.
At Wingate School, where he studied in Grade 9D, instruction was conducted mainly in English except for Amharic and civics. Discipline was strict, with daily routines governed by bells from morning until bedtime
Scholarship Opportunity – Paris
At the end of his second year of college, he was summoned to the Navy Office and informed that he had been awarded a scholarship to study medicine abroad. Although he was encouraged to study physics in Canada or the United States, he firmly chose France. His family and neighbors were delighted, as he was among the first from his area to go abroad for education.
He recalls his arrival in France, traveling by train to Bordeaux and unknowingly taking a long taxi ride, only to later learn that the school was just 400 meters from the station.
Life in Paris
During his medical studies in Paris, especially in the first year, language barriers posed great challenges, and many doubted his success. However, through relentless effort and sacrifice, he excelled remarkably. Although exhaustion once pushed him close to illness, he eventually adapted and completed his studies with strong results.
Paris also became the place where he met his life partner. He and Mrs. Hanna Gutemma, an accomplished and resilient woman, built a loving family grounded in mutual respect.
Return from France
After returning to Ethiopia in 1971, Dr. Yayehyirad served as a university instructor and provided medical services at the Navy Clinic twice a week. He later took on leadership roles, including involvement in the Development Through Cooperation Campaign, where he demonstrated notable effectiveness.
Throughout his career, he consistently fulfilled responsibilities with dedication and quality, contributing significantly to maintaining the education system during challenging times of war.
Researcher and Scholar
Alongside his administrative achievements, Dr. Yayehyirad is a respected researcher. He has contributed to numerous studies and research initiatives and recently completed a long-term study examining Ethiopia’s health challenges and solutions over the next 50 years.
Professional Associations and International Work
Since 1971, Dr. Yayehyirad has been a member of the Ethiopian Medical Association and served on its board for several years. He played a key role in encouraging doctors to work in rural areas and promoting research incentives.
Internationally, he participated in UNESCO meetings and contributed to registering Ethiopia’s major heritage sites as world heritage. From 1993 onward, he served as a health development consultant for organizations such as UNFPA, WHO, UNDP, UNAIDS, as well as national institutions. Through UNAIDS, he was the lead consultant for Ethiopia’s first HIV/AIDS strategic plan (2000) and contributed to the Health Extension Program.
Father of Basic Education
As Minister of Education, Dr. Yayehyirad made a major contribution to the expansion of basic education in Ethiopia, leaving a lasting legacy despite facing significant challenges.
Still Active Today
Dr. Yayehyirad has not retired. He continues to write, read, and contribute actively from his home, participating voluntarily in numerous projects and research efforts. His deep analyses of Ethiopia’s future health trajectory remain a lasting contribution for future generations.
Sports and Music
Dr. Yayehyirad has a strong love for sports and music. He enjoys playing music at home with his spouse and favors artists such as Tilahun Gessesse and Mahmoud Ahmed. He once played football for Saint George FC for two years and was a pioneer in introducing sports medicine in Ethiopia. He also served as a member of CAF’s medical committee.
What Colleagues Say About Him
Professor Shibiru Teddla describes Dr. Yayehyirad as honest, generous in sharing credit, highly knowledgeable, and impactful, particularly during the Development Through Cooperation Campaign and his tenure as Minister of Education.
Professor Metike Molla, former Vice President of Addis Ababa University, considers Dr. Yayehyirad a role model for dedication, mentorship, and commitment to future generations.
Family
Dr. Yayehyirad Kitaw and his wife, Mrs. Hanna Gutemma, have four children: Ato Kitaw, Dr. Marit, Ato Beruh, and Ato Biniam.
About Dr. Yayehyirad’s Book
In this memoir in Amharic, Dr. Yayehyirad Kitaw, an accomplished public health physician. reflects on his life journey from childhood through adulthood. Over the years, he has held a wide range of leadership roles, from university administration to serving as Ethiopia’s Minister of Education. His extensive travels within Ethiopia and abroad have deepened his engagement with the nation’s constitutional development and historical evolution.
Drawing on his broad experience in public health, politics, sports, charity and academia, Dr. Yayehyirad offers readers a rich and thoughtful narrative. Through this book, he seeks to share the lessons of his personal and professional life, providing a compelling perspective on both the greatness and the challenges of Ethiopia’s past, while offering valuable educational insights for the country’s younger generation.
