Help Mesfin Drive + Change 5 Lives in Ethiopia
Mesfin has already saved nearly 40% of his goal.
Help us raise the other 60% for him and give him, his family, and his community a lifelong gift.
Mesfin is an Eternal Optimist
Mesfin has been our go to taxi driver in Ethiopia. I met him on a busy street corner a couple of weeks after we arrived. I do not have a car in Ethiopia and I couldn’t get the local version of Uber/Lyft, Ride, to work on my phone.
I had an appointment so I was hoping and praying I would find someone who understood me enough to get to my appointment on time. I totally lucked out — Mesfin speaks excellent English and is one of the most friendly, reliable people you could meet.
Mesfin has been driving a "blue taxi" for 3 years.
Before that, he was a full time driver for expat families- Canadian, US, British. He is trustworthy, ambitious, and brilliant. He set out to be a taxi driver, instead of a full time driver for expat families, because he wanted a bit more freedom to take care of his family when they needed help.
Mesfin’s wife is also an entrepreneur.
She runs a restaurant and coffee shop that is smaller than most people’s bedrooms, but she earns enough to help take care of the family.
The photo above it of Mesfin's oldest daughter. Him and his wife have two kids. Together, the four of them live in a one room home with their niece.
Their niece came to live with his family when she was 14.
Her mom called Mesfin and his wife from the countryside four years ago and pleaded for them to take her daughter in to avoid being forced into a marriage at the age of 14. 
Since moving in, she has completed high school and is now going to university to become an accountant.
Helping others get ahead is what people do here.
Even if you do not have a lot, you still give.
Mesfin Knows Everyone
Everywhere we go someone shouts Mesfin’s name and he is waving and smiling.
Yes, he is smiling.
Even though, on any given day:
:: His car may or may not start.
:: He starts most days with a cold shower.
:: And he shares a one room home with 4 other family members.
Recently, I watched his car start after 24 attempts.
As I observed and waited for his car to start, I wondered: is he worried today is the day his car dies for good?
Mesfin messes with different gauges on his old car and intently stares ahead with each attempt to start the car.
It finally starts.
Someday soon, his car will not start again and he could be left out of a job.
Uber/Lyft Are Growing Here Too
Soon enough, the blue taxis that are a street staple here will be put out of business anyway.
The local version of Uber/Lyft, Ride, is in demand, like in so many other parts of the world.
Mesfin visited their offices to see if he could start driving with them, but his car is too old.
Come back when you have a newer car, they said.
Can you help? Just One Dollar Helps
Cars in Ethiopia are extra expensive due to import and other taxes.
In fact, the car Mesfin needs would cost approximately $3,000 in the the US today. Here, this used car costs $17,000...560% percent more than in the US.
In Ethiopia, where the average person makes approximately $500 annually, $17,000 is an almost unimaginable price to pay for a car.
Mesfin knew he would need a new car soon so he started saving.
In fact he has already saved just over 200,000 Ethiopia Birr, the local currency.
He needs 300,000 more to continue driving, and to continue his livelihood, or $7,142.
Mesfin is someone who works hard, gives back, loves his friends and family hard.
When he shared the car update with me, he knew it was too much to ask of any one person.
Now he his humbly praying people will rally and extend him a helping hand.
Together we can help Mesfin in an ordinary way and create a ripple that will last for generations.
If all of Mesfin’s friends and the friends of Mesfin’s friends give just one dollar each, we can help him and his family in a big way.
Why give to Mesfin directly?
As my friend Shayna said to me, there is always someone to help in Ethiopia.
It is true, everywhere you look there is someone tohelp.
The woman and her sweet toddler up the road from my house. The mentally unwell who walk down the middle of the street, confused and shoeless. The young boys and girls who came to the capital to escape abuse, marriage at a young age, or to get a job, but are left struggling and often starving.
New research completed in Africa shows that when you give directly to an individual the money is not wasted. It goes to buy essentials.
On top of taking care of the family you directly give to, you also elevate their community:
Every dollar in cash aid increased total economic activity in the area by $2.60.
Every dollar you give today will directly support Mesfin, his wife, his two daughters, and his niece. But that one dollar will also have a ripple effect that will have more impact to people who need more help than one can imagine.
If you can give more, please do.
The local government is considering doubling taxes on vehicles so we have only a short amount of time to fund this car before it is even further out of reach. Goal is to raise funds for Mesfin and his family by the end of January.
Thank you in advance,
Amber
More from Mesfin's Friend Jude & Claire
Why Mesfin is our top driver in Addis
We dodged the huge puddles in the dark, zigzagging across the Addis Ababa street towards a lone blue and white taxi at the roadside. The night was so wet, we simply ripped the door open and stumbled in, breathless from the altitude as we briefly negotiated the fare.
As we pulled away, it was obvious that this was no ordinary taxi driver. His English was excellent, his manner bright and cheerful. We were vulnerable ferenji (foreigners) but he still gave a fare price. He drove carefully, observant, mindful of animals, pedestrians and anything else in our way.
His Russian-made car was ancient but immaculate. The walnut dashboard shone with polish. After just a five minute ride home, we took his number and waved goodnight.
Little did we know that this was the start of a precious relationship with someone who would be so much more than a driver to us. Mesfin has helped us in every way and became a friend.
Here are just a few of the ways Mesfin has been by our side
Mesfin is a great driver
Mesfin spent 8 years as a driver for The British Embassy and it shows. In a city of craziness on the roads, Mesfin’s attention to detail and sixth sense for trouble makes us always feel reassured to be riding with him.
Mesfin knows how to negotiate a herd of stampeding cows, how to keep his temper when someone rams into him and the right amount of scowling to be done when other road users are without heed for the safety of others.
While some of these blue and white taxis have holes in the floor, no brakes or doors and windows that don’t work, Mesfin’s is immaculately maintained.
Even the seatbelts worked. Now that’s saying something for Addis.
Mesfin is always on time
Ethiopia runs on its own time but Mesfin understands the need for punctuality when it comes to international clients. We spent five months in Addis making daily visits to visiting the boy we had applied to adopt. Mesfin was there outside the orphanage at 7.15 pm every night without fail.
Mesfin was never once late. Mesfin, in fact, is usually early and waiting outside your gate.
In Ethiopia, this means you have someone exceptional on your hands.
Mesfin is your security advisor
Those five months were troubled times in Addis. Ethnic tensions were ripe. Roadblocks surrounded the city. Violent protests flared up across the country.
Mesfin had his finger on the pulse of what was and wasn’t safe for us to do. He weighed up each and every situation.
During turbulent times, Mesfin was always on hand to remind us to always play it safe when it comes to talking about politics.
Thanks to his advice, we are still alive by means of only ever talking about Arsenal if we were unsure.
Mesfin advises when discretion is the better part of valour
We dealt with a lot of bureaucracy. Immigration, passport authority, International Organisation of Migration, the Ministry of Womens and Youth Affairs, Court, it never ended.
Mesfin was there at every step to wisely remind us to be polite, when to smile, frown, be pushy, cry, raise our voices, leave and come back or sit and stare until the target gave in and issued the required stamp.
We have a lot to thank him for.
Mesfin is your football commentator
An Arsenal fan, Mesfin always carries the Arsenal flag in his car and knew where you could watch the match.
We knew when it was matchday because he would wear his Arsenal scarf.
Being in Ethiopia for 6 months was no reason for us to get behind on the news about Premiership Football.
We are grateful we never missed out.
Mesfin knows every place you might need
Years of experience means that Mesfin’s senses are finely tuned towards the visitor’s needs.
Need a haircut? Mesfin knows where the white people go.
Need a visa extension? Mesfin knows immigration.
Need to go to church? Mesfin knows the Anglican Church.
Need to go to court for adoption? Mesfin knows the family court.
Need a Chinese restaurant? He knows.
And so on.
Mesfin is your budding artist.
After accompanying us around some of the city’s modern art galleries, Mesfin has not been impressed.
After a photography exhibition, he announced it had not made an impression upon him. “I can do that with my phone.”
Mesfin is resourceful
Blue and white taxis cannot go everywhere. They don’t go out of the city. Some establishments now look down upon them.
For Mesfin, he embraces the challenge.
Going out of the city? No problem, he can get a different car. Going to The Sheraton? He can drop you at the gate undeterred by the hard stares of the guards.
Going to The Hilton? No problem, he can blag his way in.
Mesfin is your personal shopping assistant
If Mesfin can’t find what you want, it can’t be found. In times of shortage of large water bottles, Mesfin could always locate one.
Mesfin will also personally carry your 10 litre water bottle into the house without being asked and without behaving like an English taxi driver moaning and groaning about their backs and saying they are not insured.
Mesfin will also fix your water dispenser if needed. Other minor items of DIY are also available on request.
Mesfin is your babysitter
Small children do not like visiting bureaucrats. While we made rips for paperwork, Mesfin looked afterour son outside. Our boy was only too happy to be left with him as he loved riding in Mesfin’s taxi.
Mesfin has 2 children of his own and is very happy to tend to yours.
Mesfin tells good jokes
His great sense of humour and steady manner kept us going when the adoption process made us feel like we were falling apart.
Mesfin is your real estate agent in Addis
Mesfin was on hand when we were looking to rent a house. Within 24 hours he had located a suitable property, in our area of choice, the right size and price and, most importantly, the right vibe.
Why does Mesfin deserve your donation?
Loyal, organised, punctual, hard working, loyal husband and family member, he is simply trying to make a living and now a huge obstacle stands in his way. Now the government has decreed that the traditional blue and white taxis need to come to an end and be upgraded.
There are many good sides to this, not least the safety of passengers and reducing pollution. But this also means that Mesfin needs money to buy a modern car – with huge import taxes attached.
While there are surely thousands of other taxi drivers in the same position, Mesfin is our driver and we want to help repay the care and loyalty he has shown us.
Please give anything you can. Crowdfunding is about people each giving a tiny bit to make a big difference. Thank you.
Claire Davies
Judicael Girardeau
Senbeto Girardeau
London, UK
17.02.2020
