SISAY TSEGAW

EXPERIENCE IN THE INDUSTRY: 7 Years in the disability sector.

MY ABILITIES:  I can remain calm in any situation. I’m a natural at mentoring and empowering young people.

MY STORY: I was born in Ethiopia, in a town called Gondar. When I was just five years old, my family had to leave because of the war. We migrated to Sudan and stayed there for 20 years. It was a big change, but we adapted well to the similar culture. Also, the fact that a big part of my previous neighborhoods from Ethiopia moved with us as a community helped us stay strong and support each other. In Sudan, my parents rented farmland, and we all worked together on the farm. I have seven siblings, three brothers, and four sisters. Our days were filled with farm work, going to school, and playing soccer with friends. Living in the countryside was peaceful. We grew up surrounded by rolling hills and fields, spending our days tending to crops and taking care of animals. School was nearby, and I enjoyed playing soccer with my friends after class. Growing up in this environment taught me to appreciate nature and the importance of community.

In my early twenties, I decided to venture to New Zealand on my own. My cousin graciously offered his support, providing me with a place to stay as I navigated this new chapter of my life. Adjusting to a completely different culture and learning English presented significant challenges, and I distinctly recall struggling with the unfamiliar food. After dedicating myself to studying and completing various courses, I secured a position at a car rental company.

I remained in New Zealand until 2000 when I pursued better job opportunities in Australia. Initially, I worked in a car park for 11 years while simultaneously laying the groundwork for my business endeavors. Transitioning into self-employment, I became a taxi driver before expanding my operations into a small company, employing other drivers. Simultaneously, I also found employment as a travel agent, embracing the diverse experiences that each role offered.

My journey took a significant turn when love found its way into my life. In 2004, I met my wife in Australia, and from this union, my first son was born in 2011, followed by the arrival of my daughter in 2012.

However, within the joys of family life, challenges emerged in the professional sphere. In 2012, the introduction of Uber in Australia posed a real challenge to the taxi industry, including my business. Despite our best efforts, the competition proved unconquerable, leading to the difficult decision to sell my business.

Despite facing this setback, my passion for service and compassion remained firm. Throughout my youth, I devoted myself to humanitarian efforts, collaborating with organizations like the Red Cross and Red Crescent to deliver crucial assistance to those in need. Through volunteer work centered on community development, I endeavored to tackle social injustices and uplift marginalized communities, guided by a profound commitment to humanity. Subsequently, I pursued an international community development course, earning a diploma that paved the way for my transition into the field of disability support.

My career as a support worker in disability support began with a simple job application, but it quickly evolved into something much more profound. Immersed in the daily routines of assisting individuals with diverse needs, I discovered a deep sense of purpose and fulfillment. Encouraged by the positive impact I was able to make working alongside some incredible support workers helped me continuously refine my skills and expertise with each passing day.

My journey took an unexpected turn when I crossed paths with incredible individuals who shared the same passion as me and whom I became friends with, like Matt, and remarkable parents who recognized the dedication and compassion I brought to my work. One day, out of nowhere, one of those parents, who had total trust in Matt and me, realized how much positive impact we had brought into her son's life and asked us to support him one on one. We said yes instantly and seized the opportunity to establish our company, and just like that… Plus One All Abilities was born!