‘I HOPE TO MEET MY BIRTH PARENTS ONE DAY’
After being adopted from an orphanage in Ethiopia at only eight months old, Tsehay came to Australia with her new family. While she has never been back to Ethiopia, the 12-yearold loves to celebrate her heritage through African fusion dancing – which she will showcase on the hit show, Little Big Shots.
Tsehay says that her dancing keeps her connected to her culture, but she is curious about her birth parents. Surrounded by close family, her adoptive parents are happy to help her find them – but it hasn’t been an easy road.
‘My parents have tried very hard to connect with my family in Ethiopia,’ she tells New Idea. ‘But my files were lost at the orphanage, so it has been extremely difficult. We are still trying though.’
What’s more, the family planned to travel together to Ethiopia, but they had to put their plans on hold due to political unrest in the country. They still hope to visit next year.
‘I left when I was adopted and I haven’t been back yet,’ says Tsehay. ‘I can’t wait!’
Despite the setbacks, Tsehay makes an effort to learn about her Ethiopian heritage.
‘My family and I are in contact with the Ethiopian community in Australia and have friends who live in Ethiopia, who we keep in contact with,’ she says. ‘I love Ethiopia – it is a huge part of me.’
Full of energy when she was a toddler, Tsehay started dance classes when she was just two.
‘I love African fusion dancing because it is so different to mainstream dance,’ she shares. ‘It’s energetic, joyful and fierce.’
But, African fusion isn’t the only dance the talented youngster has mastered, she also loves samba, tap, ballet and contemporary – to name a few!
Tsehay – who also has a younger brother, Kendly, adopted from Colombia – says the family all love to dance together. Well, almost all...
‘Dad is definitely not a dancer,’ she laughs. ‘He tries occasionally, but I really don’t think he’ll ever be a famous dancer. Well, not for the right reasons anyway!’