Hello Roman! Can you tell us about your background?
My name is Roman Yilma, and I was born in Oromia Region in Ethiopia, one of the most rural areas of the country. I completed my elementary and high school education in Addis Ababa, the capital city. Later, I pursued a degree in veterinary medicine with a specialization in tropical veterinary public health at Addis Ababa University. My professional experience began as a university lecturer and an animal health researcher at the Agricultural Research Institute. Eventually, I ventured into private practice, establishing my own veterinary business. In this role, I focused on vaccinating pets to prevent rabies and other zoonotic diseases and visited dairy farms to offer consultancy and veterinary services to farmers.
What motivated you to join VSF-Suisse?
I joined VSF-Suisse in 2020. The organization’s mission of fighting human and animal diseases across borders aligns perfectly with my professional background, experience, and passion. This shared commitment to improving health and well-being was a major motivation for me to become part of VSF-Suisse.
How would you describe your role within the NGO?
As a Program Support Officer, I work closely with the HR and Finance teams. My responsibilities include overseeing projects and conducting field visits, sometimes traveling up to 1,200 kilometers from Addis Ababa. We have dedicated field office colleagues who play a significant role in project follow-ups, and my visits are to provide support, input, and monitoring. This role has broadened my experience beyond my veterinary background. Furthermore, as a focal point for preventing sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment, I am dedicated to protecting vulnerable populations. I am grateful for my colleagues and the team spirit that drives us toward achieving our organization’s mission.
Can you share an anecdote or an outstanding achievement of which you are particularly proud?
I am particularly proud of my contribution to the BOLDER (Building Opportunities for Livelihood Development and Enhanced Resilience) project. The different activities implemented under this project include provision of agricultural inputs to the vulnerable community with the aim of improving their livelihood, resilience building and income diversification.
Similarly, I am happy to mention my support to the HEAL Project during its inception phase. I was involved in the assessment report, participated in various meetings and workshops, and summarized key findings. The HEAL Project aims to improve access to health and veterinary services and promote sustainable natural resource management by bringing together experts in human and animal health and environmental protection.
Moreover, my dedication to rabies prevention is rooted in a personal experience from my childhood. As a young child, I was bitten by a rabid dog, but thanks to my father’s quick action in getting me vaccinated, I survived. This experience ignited my passion for preventing rabies and other zoonotic diseases. At VSF-Suisse, I continue to pursue this mission, contributing to initiatives that include rabies prevention.
What is your professional or personal dream for the future?
My dream is to enhance my skills and capacity to better serve vulnerable communities. I aspire to contribute to the economic empowerment and basic rights of women and girls who face immense challenges in rural areas.
Is there a public figure or personage who particularly inspires you? Why or why not?
Stephen R. Covey, the author of “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” inspires me greatly. His work offers a transformative guide for personal and professional success, emphasizing proactive thinking, prioritization, effective communication, collaboration, and goal-setting. I highly recommend his book to everyone as its principles are timeless and beneficial.
Can you tell us about your hobby/passion and what it means to you?
I love spending time with my family, cooking, socializing, and visiting friends and relatives. These activities bring me joy and help build emotional bonds. Outside of work, I spend most of my time with my children.
What’s your favorite food ?
My favorite food is the Ethiopian staple, injera with doro wat.
What is your favorite animal and why?
My favorite animal is the cow. Cows provide high-quality milk, which is crucial for human-being, especially for children, and is a source of livelihood, security, and revenue for millions of people worldwide, especially in impoverished areas. In rural regions, cows empower women economically by allowing them to manage and sell milk and milk products.
Thank you for your engagement, Roman!
