Miss Ethiopia

Sayat Demessie

Sayat grew up in Addis Ababa, she has two sisters and one brother. She is now a student, with the ambition of qualifying as a Lawyer and eventually becoming a High Court Judge. In her leisure time she enjoys: Reading, writing poems and short stories, gymnastics, tennis, acting and dancing, including Latin, Hip Hop, modern and the Ethiopian traditional dance. Her motto is "Have faith, honesty, trust, loyalty as long as you live in this world".


Where did you grow up? Tell us a little about your home town/city, and family.
I grew up in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. My village is in a countryside setting and the people are very close to each other. My family includes two sisters and one brother and I am the last child. I grew up with both parents though my father passed away two years ago. My mother is my best friend and served as both mother and father when he died. Her spirit is truly my inspiration.

What Jobs have you done? What was the most interesting/bizarre?
I have modelled part time for the past two years. It is interesting because I always have to perform at the show and try to change my character to reflect the clothes I wear. In the Ethiopia there are many cultural fashion shows that require very interesting make-up, which some people may consider bizarre.

What are your career ambitions, how do you plan to realise them?
I plan to be a federal judge, which will require much education. In addition to acquiring the education, my plans include getting involved in issues that concern young women who are the victims of violent crimes and rape.

What is the proudest moment of your life? (Not including winning your National Title)
The proudest moment of my life was when someone called to tell me that my interviews have changed their perception of beauty pageants and they were proud to have me as their representative.

What was the funniest/most embarrassing moment of your life?
I was at a gathering for someone who died and I sat in one of the folding chairs. As I rose to leave the chair collapsed catching my dress and stuck to it. Everyone in the room stopped crying and began to laugh.

What was the funniest/most embarrassing moment of your life?
It is like living in another world having another life. All ready as Miss Ethiopia, I have lost much of my privacy and freedom and much responsibility has come with the title. I certainly have had to make quick adjustments being chosen as a role model and country ambassador. The best part is that I will be able to help many young people in my country aspire to achieve their goals and ambitions.

Tell us about an interesting event you have attended, or a person that you have met.
I went to South Africa to do a fashion show, which was the very first time I ever travelled outside of Ethiopia. It was amazing to see how the people lived and their development as a country. It was far more that I expected and very different considering where I come from. Seeing Mandela’s country was incredible. I also am honoured to have met the president of Ethiopia. It was amazing to find out that he judged the first beauty pageant in my country many years ago. He is totally supportive of the Miss World Program and exposure it brings to our nation.

What would you like to do, if you became Miss World 2004?
I would scream and say "Who me? You’ve got to be kidding!" After the reality has sunk in I would really like to use the title to inspire woman around the world who are less fortunate and underprivileged. It is important to show woman that we can all learn from the disadvantages before us or mistakes we have made and be a success.

If you had a personal motto what would it be?
Have faith, honesty, trust and loyalty as long as you live in this world.

Give details of any charitable work undertaken?
While I am very young I have not yet undertaken any significant charity work, but when I was a child I was given some money to buy a pair of shoes. When we were leaving I saw the man who was preparing a sheep for our family’s dinner. He was homeless and I asked my mother if we could use the money to make him a small place to sleep. He lived with us for nearly ten years as a helper.

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