The Rosalind Smith Award for Exceptional and prolonged Service from individuals or group from the Black Community Owning and Running a Business.
- Nazareth Ethiopia
- Imprisoned 4 years Politics 1991
- Exiled in Kenya
- 1993 came to Canada
- Worked Very Hard
- Janitorial Jobs – Bus Driver – Home Owner
- Ethiopian Orthodox Christian
- Edmonton – Calgary – Vancouver
- Business Owner 10 years
- Hermitage Fas Gas & Conveniences
- Can make it with hard work
Mr. Shimelis Telila was born in Nazareth, Ethiopia. He came from a well to do family. Later on in life he lost his land and houses during the Ethiopian revolution in 1974. He was imprisoned for 4 years due to his involvement in politics. In 1991 he went to work with the United Nations (UNHCR).
In 1993, he was in exiled in Kenya before coming to Canada. When he arrived in Canada he had no money. All he had was his bible and 2 Kenyan shillings, which was worthless in Canada.
He worked very hard in Canada to make a better life for himself and his family. Mr. Telila started off with janitorial jobs, delivery jobs, was bus driver and then became a rehab worker. He became a home owner and now owns multiple properties.
With God’s help he founded churches for the Ethiopian Orthodox Christian community here in Edmonton and then Calgary and Vancouver by preaching the bible. Mr. Telila was able to bring his wife and children to Canada with the help of a kind Christian man.
He became a business owner about 10 years ago. He independently owns and his family operates Hermitage Fas Gas & Convenience Store on Hermitage Road. His children are all grown up and he is a proud grandfather of 5 wonderful children.
Mr. Telila wishes to encourage others so that they can also make it. Hard work, his faith and belief in God has brought him to this point and he is thankful every day. He is supported by his family today.
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