Even in her spare time, Rhinelander-by-choice and member of the intercultures network, Fetlework Seifu, designs projects that emphasize intercultural issues. Working with photographer Malin Kundi, who Fetlework has known for many years, she has created the touring exhibition »Afrikanische Kölnerinnen« (African Women in Cologne), which can be seen in Cologne and other places as well as on the internet.
The women in this collection of texts and photographs were approached in African shops, cafés, churches, clubs, intercultural organizations or by relatives and related their story, each full of strength and optimism.
»A lot of them were skeptical at first. They were not sure about our motives. At times, more than one conversation was necessary to win them over,« says Fetlework. The women differed from each other not only in their country of origin but also in the diversity of activities in which they were involved. »While selecting who to include in our project, we did not consider levels of education or social status. The one thing all women had in common was the goal to achieve as much as possible, to progress in life and to support each other,« says Fetlework Seifu, »and that they will accomplish, each in her own way.«