Born and raised in Addis Ababa, Milky was the eldest of three sisters. A close companion to the sister who came immediately after her, she was like a second mother to the one who is thirteen years younger. Her father, a navy officer, was an avid reader with love for literature and fluency in six languages. Her mother, a sociable librarian at a Catholic school, shared a warm and steady closeness with Milky. 

Milky attended Mekan Eyesus Elementary School and later St. Mary High School. Even as a young student, she was known for her introspective nature and emotional maturity. Friends often turned to her for guidance, drawn to her calm presence and her ability to listen without judgment. She valued meaningful relationships, choosing depth and loyalty over convenience. Many of the friendships she formed during her school years have endured for decades, evolving into sisterhoods that continue to be a steady source of support through the different phases of their lives.

Milky’s long-held dream of attending Addis Ababa University came true after high school. She was unsure what field to pursue, but she was assigned to Ethiopian Language and Literature, which made her literature-loving father proud. Her years at AAU became a defining chapter, strengthening her sense of independence and purpose. Milky had already begun working immediately after taking the 12th-grade National Exam. She gained meaningful professional experience at the American Embassy, Christian Children’s Fund (CCF) Ethiopia, and CARE Ethiopia, which was where she met her husband, Zemichael. 

After graduation, Milky immediately became an English Teacher teaching at Cathedral and Rakmanov College. She soon enrolled to her master’s program and graduated in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL). Friends and colleagues from this period remember her as focused, disciplined, and grounded, qualities that played a huge role in shaping her journey.

In April 2009, Milky and Zemichael tied the knot and soon after, welcomed their first daughter. Motherhood brought an unexpected emotional reckoning for Milky. At the time, she held a promising position at Peace Corps Ethiopia, while Zemichael worked as a civil engineer in projects that required frequent travel. Leaving her infant each day became unbearably difficult, and guilt overshadowed her work. After exploring childcare options and leaning on family support, she ultimately made the bold decision to step away from her career and raise her child. While many questioned her choice, Zemichael stood firmly by her side. Two more children followed, and Milky devoted herself fully to motherhood. 

During this period, Milky briefly tried a business in construction materials but found it unfulfilling. As she observed, she began to see the quiet sacrifice of women around her. They not only sacrifice their ambitions but also their well-being and sense of identity. This observation led her to an even bigger recognition of a broader social pattern with national and global implications. “When a woman smiles, her home smiles. When she is unhappy, the ripple effect impacts everyone,” Milky reflects. This realization marked a turning point in her life. 

While witnessing the growing difficulty families faced in securing reliable caregivers, Milky also saw another silent reality, there are countless unemployed women. Between these two needs, she discovered her purpose: a gap she could bridge through a Nanny Training Center. Many questioned her idea, doubting its viability and social acceptance, but she remained undeterred. She named it Efoy, a word symbolizing peace and relief for mothers and families. Before launching, Milky invested in her own development seeking training opportunities, researching, and building a strong foundation of knowledge to bring her vision to life.

In 2021, Milky officially launched the Efoy Nanny Training Center, becoming a pioneer in Ethiopia’s childcare training sector. While many were focused on meeting foreign demand, she chose a different path that served local families and women seeking dignified work. The journey, however, was far from easy. Regulatory, operational, and cultural barriers slowed the progress, and securing proper licensing took more than a year. In the early days, Efoy offered training free of charge, yet finding a partner organization was unexpectedly difficult. Eventually, she reached out to Meseret of Meseret Humanitarian Organization, a connection Milky describes as divinely timed. This meeting of minds and hearts led to Efoy’s first cohort of 20 trainees, and on graduation day, more than half secured employment. For Milky, that moment marked the true beginning of Efoy’s impact.

“Like a child learning to walk,” Milky often says, Efoy grew steadily. She developed strong background check and placement systems, connecting graduates with opportunities in private homes, day-care centres, government institutions, and NGOs. Recognizing the financial barrier many face, Milky partnered with One Microfinance and offered an opportunity for trainees to pay for their training after employment. Today, Efoy continues to offer this in collaboration with Cooperative Bank of Oromia.

In 2025, a milestone Milky considers her legacy move took place – Efoy opened a second branch in Megenagna. Despite the challenges of expansion, her attitude remained steadfast: “I don’t know how, but I’ll do it,” and she did it. That same year, Efoy gained government recognition with its first branch in Goro area being designated as a national qualification assessment center.

Collaboration and service define Milky’s leadership. Efoy has partnered with Meseret Ethiopia, Tiny Totos, the Orthodox Church Development & Interchurch & Commission (DICAC), Bole Lemi Industrial Park’s cooperative, Mercy Corps, and numerous day-care centers and schools. The organization also helped establish a day-care for the Bole Subcity, which serves over 40 children. Each year, Milky sponsors 20 to 30 women who cannot afford the training, extending opportunity to those who need it most. 

At the heart of Efoy is its ethical foundation: “ፈሪሃ እግዝያብሄር,” a deep reverence for God. Monthly coffee ceremonies at Efoy provide safe, therapeutic spaces for the women to share fears, dreams, and growth journeys. Training extends beyond childcare to financial literacy, planning, confidence-building, and holistic life skills.

Alongside leading Efoy, Milky serves as a board member at AWiB and Tiny Totos. In 2025, Milky graduated from the Haset Leadership Program – an initiative by the Packard Foundation, developed by Emerge Plc, and implemented by AWiB. She credits the program for sharpening her intentionality in life and leadership. This same year, she was honored as Promising Social Entrepreneur of the Year at Ethiopia’s Global Entrepreneurship Week.

Nature, travel, learning, and service replenish Milky. She says, “I wake up each morning living my dream and my purpose,” and asserts, “With God on my side, I can achieve anything I commit my heart and mind to.” 

Milky’s journey is one of quiet observation that transformed into action; motherhood that transformed into a movement; vision turned into an institution; and faith turned into a lasting impact.

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