Not everyone can captivate attention of a room full of people But Nardos Debebe does that effortlessly, typical of a person born and raised in Kasanchis.  I first met her about two months ago at a workshop organized by Betengna; she had an easy going personality and a friendly attitude that made our conversation enjoyable and relaxed. I was intrigued and wanted to know more about her. She didn’t hesitate to open up about her life starting from her childhood, her family and her marriage to a well-known artist.

Her marriage to this famous artist was one of the many turning points in her life where, as she told me, everything changed for the worst and the rest of her life began. The Nardos spoke the more varied my responses to her became, from pure amazement, to shock, to tear-welling sadness.  I realized that her life experiences were rich and deserved a greater audience than myself.

Nardos was so engaging that hours passed by without me noticing. I thought to myself thinking that surely she is the kind of diarist we want on Betengna; honest as the day to anyone that cares to listen. She needed little convincing and now is willing to bear all and share with you her captivating story. I want to invite you to listen and give our new diarist a warm welcome.