While we mourn the loss of a dear colleague and friend, we also pay tribute and celebrate a life well-lived. A life committed to advocacy for nature and people. Not many leave behind a legacy of such dedication, passion and warmth as did Leulseged Yirgu.
Leulseged was our longest-serving colleague in Ethiopia and worked as the Policy and Advocacy Officer for Partners for Resilience (PfR) Programme. In recognition of his good work and dedicated service, he got a promotion as a Programme Officer in 2021 and in which he continued serving until his transition.
“Life is short,” the ever-eccentric Leulseged stated to some colleagues while enroute from Lodwar to Nairobi last December after the launch meeting for the Source to Sea initiative. Indeed, life can be fleeting. But a life lived to the fullest stays in fond memories.
This is a difficult and painful time for his relatives, friends and colleagues. We grieve so hard because we loved Leulseged deeply. We wish everyone who knew him courage, peace and strength to bear this irreparable loss.
In Loving Memory
Here we share a selection of the tributes from colleagues who worked closely with Leulseged over the years.
Jane Madgwick – CEO, Wetlands International: We are devastated to lose Leulseged so tragically from the Wetlands family – he will be greatly missed. Leulseged was known, respected and loved by colleagues around the world. He was a knowledgeable, humble, warm and generous man. And his enthusiasm and energy inspired and connected people to make a positive change for nature and livelihoods in Ethiopia and beyond.
Julie Mulonga, Director – Wetlands International Eastern Africa: Leul – as we fondly called him – loved working for Wetlands International. When called upon to represent the organisation, he would do it with pleasure. Leul would pour out his knowledge and had a knack for sharing all sorts of interesting facts. Born in Oromiya in Southern Ethiopia, he had this special connection with the Central Rift Valley that rubbed off on anyone who interacted with him. Without a doubt, he contributed immensely to the formulation of our current Rift Valley Landscape vision. In his memory, we need to keep that vision alive.
Leul did not mince his words; he told it to you as it is and on the spot! At the same time, he was very friendly and big-hearted. He appreciated people. If you visited Ethiopia, he would go out of his way to ensure you were comfortable. My last interaction with Leul was last December. I still remember how happy he was and that huge smile on his face. Leulseged Yirgu, you will be sorely missed. Go well our fallen comrade. Rest well!
Alebachew Adem – Country Programme Manager, Wetlands International Ethiopia: I first met Leulseged in 2004 but my close interaction with him began when he was working for WaterAid-Ethiopia. Since then, I had the opportunity to interact with him closely when we were both engaged in climate justice research and advocacy.
Leulseged was kind, honest, straight-forward, principled and visionary. He won the confidence of colleagues and others for his commitment and dedication to his work and a go-getter spirit. He was passionate about wetlands and nature conservation. “Beautiful, voiceless nature” he would often say. We will long remember Leulseged’s smiling personality, his energy, tenacity and ability to leap tall hurdles. I will greatly miss his counsel and his friendship. His physical presence is gone, but the lessons he taught us in life will serve us all well for many years to come.
Titus Wamae – Regional Policy and Advocacy Officer, Wetlands International Eastern Africa: For the last six years, Leulseged Yirgu has been more than just a colleague to me. In his career as the Policy and Advocacy Officer for Wetlands International Ethiopia, we combined our skills with passion and energy to deliver on our work. By his death, I will miss a highly intelligent, vibrant colleague with a rare friendliness and charm of personality. Leulseged was a genuinely warm and wonderful person. It is only the comforting thought that I had the privilege to know him as a colleague and friend that slightly lessens my sorrow. With a very heavy heart, I accept your promotion to glory Leulseged. Goodbye Leul. Rest in Peace. Rest in Peace indeed bro!
Lilian Nyaega – Regional Programme Officer, Wetlands International Eastern Africa: I am so heartbroken that you are no longer with us! Thank you for the friendship and the laughs we shared. You danced to the beat of your drum and I loved that so much for you. I will remember the kindness, enthusiasm and ambition that you shared so generously and genuinely. Blessings and comfort to your family during this time. I will miss you deeply. Rest in Peace brother.
Lorna Kobusingye – Policy and Advocacy Officer, Wetlands International Uganda: I first met Leul during an orientation meeting in Ethiopia. He was highly knowledgeable, enthusiastic and eccentric in his approach. I have fond memories of him particularly from the PRF II project. He will be remembered by the entire PFR II family in Uganda for his insights and humour. May his soul rest in peace!
Ward Hagemeijer – Senior Advisor, Wetlands International: We have forever lost Leulseged Yirgu, a warm-hearted and dedicated colleague who has played a key role in establishing the work of Wetlands International in Ethiopia. I came to work with Leul on the Climate Resilient Flyway project in 2015 when he was part of the first representation of our work in Ethiopia. We worked together throughout the years since, and I got to know him both as a reliable colleague, delivering high-quality work, and as a participant in several training courses. Leul was both a special and warm person and an eager student, always with his own special views, inimitable and often brilliantly value-adding. He will be sorely missed.
Maria Stolk, Project and Operational Support Manager: Leulseged Yirgu worked on the WASH Sustainable Development Goals project in Ethiopia. He was a strong lead person, with plenty of solid technical knowledge on wetlands and water resources management that he enjoyed sharing. Leul was a respected team member in the WASH SDG partnership and a driving force of change for good in the project, and ultimately for a more sustainable Ethiopia. He was very committed, passionate, opinionated and truly engaged in his work. He certainly inspired me and others. Wetlands have lost a committed guardian. Leul will be missed. May his soul rest in peace.