She began running for Ethiopia internationally at the age of sixteen and won her first gold medal at the 2002 IAAF World Cross Country Championships, helping the Ethiopian women to a team victory.

She formed a key part of Ethiopian team competitions in her early career, helping them reach the podium at international events on numerous occasions.

In the following year at the 2002 IAAF World Cross Country Championships she finished tenth and took the gold medal in the team competition with Ethiopia.

She returned to the World Half Marathon Championships in 2003, but did not repeat her medal success, finishing in 21st place and fourth overall with the women's team.

[6] In June she took part in the Freihofer's Run for Women and finished in fourth place, some distance off the winner Emily Chebet.