Mate Matiwos was born in Keramo to a family in the coffee business. Before coffee, he made a living by trading commodities locally; when that business became profitiable, he switched to coffee farming and leased land in Keramo and Danche. In addition to raising his 6 children (three boys and three girls—his oldest son is in university, the second eldest helps on the farm, and youngest is a teacher) Mate is active in his community and is the local preacher and church leader