Meet Mesenbet, lover of long nature walks, jazz and literature. Mesenbet is the producer behind the story of Sirak Abebe, which began in 2007 on FM 97.1. “I have strong hopes that Betengna will make a huge difference in people’s lives, just as it has in mine,” he says. He also says he particularly enjoys the dual role that Betengna has provided him. “As a producer, I dig out people’s deepest stories, and after the completion of each story, I get to be an ordinary listener and assess my own life in terms of what I just listened to.”

Capturing reality is what appeals most to Mesenbet and there has been no shortage of that for him here! “Betengna doesn’t just deal with the events of a person’s life,” he says, “it also has human interest elements, talks about HIV without preaching and focuses on emotional journeys that people take as they face truths that change their lives forever!”

His most memorable interview: Discovering that he and Sirak were actually long time neighbors! “Sirak and I went out for a walk one day when he suggested showing me where he lives. Imagine my surprise when he led me to a house barely 100 meters away from my own! We were born in the same neighborhood and had been sharing the same football field, market and health center in the vicinity without ever meeting each other. Now we are friends who also share secrets.”

Mesenbet is currently producing the diaries of Estifanos Teshome which airs on Sheger FM 102.1 on Fridays at 2:30 pm and on Mondays at 8:10 pm .

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