Hakim Workneh Eshete aka Dr. Charles Martin was born in Gonder in 1864. His father Naggadras Eshete was by Emperor Tewodros’ side at Maqdale.
Workneh lost both his parents & was found by British troops alongside Prince Alemayehu, weeping by the corpse of Emperor Tewodros.
Workneh lost both his parents & was found by British troops alongside Prince Alemayehu, weeping by the corpse of Emperor Tewodros.
Colonel Charles Martin took charge of the 3 ½ year old Workneh at the port of Aden, hence his adopted name.
Workneh grew up in India where he joined Lahore Medical College in 1877 & then travelled to Scotland for his specialization in medicine & surgery.
Workneh grew up in India where he joined Lahore Medical College in 1877 & then travelled to Scotland for his specialization in medicine & surgery.
Workneh returned to Ethiopia for the first time in 1899 & pitched a tent in the middle of Addis Ababa & began treating patients for free. An old woman approached & asked to examine his arms & legs saying she expected to find a long scar on each. She was his long lost grandmother
Workneh married Wayzaro Qatsala Tulu & had many children. Qatsala taught Workneh Amharic & Oromo, & she studied nursing in Burma.
Qatsala returned to Ethiopia with a broadened outlook & dedication to her nation making her one of the most distinguished women in Ethiopian history
Qatsala returned to Ethiopia with a broadened outlook & dedication to her nation making her one of the most distinguished women in Ethiopian history
In 1927, Workneh made international headlines when he led a delegation to negotiate with a New York engineering company for the construction of a dam on Lake Tana.
Haile Selassie wanted to assert Ethiopia’s independence by building a dam himself with the help of the Americans.
Haile Selassie wanted to assert Ethiopia’s independence by building a dam himself with the help of the Americans.
Workneh's stay in the US was monumental where he met with President Coolidge.
Workneh also spent time in Harlem where he conveyed Haile Selassie’s greetings to the African American community & his readiness to welcome skilled African Americans to Ethiopia.
Workneh also spent time in Harlem where he conveyed Haile Selassie’s greetings to the African American community & his readiness to welcome skilled African Americans to Ethiopia.
In 1941, Workneh was appointed the governor of Charchar where he opened schools & built roads in the main town, Asaba Tafari, & the neighboring province of Arsi. During the 2nd Ethio-Italian War, he was appointed Minister of London where he advocated for Ethiopia’s cause abroad.
Hakim Warqenah remains one of the greatest pioneers of change in Ethiopian history, a child who was found on the battle field & rose to prominence abroad.
Many great Ethiopians paved the way for the future generations & it is up to us to continue their legacy today.
Many great Ethiopians paved the way for the future generations & it is up to us to continue their legacy today.
