Ethiopia Quiz

The Ethiopian Millenium has some good information related to Ethiopia’s history. 

You can check out some people who have made great contributions to Ethiopia.

Plus, you can take a quiz and see just how much you know.  I got 70% on the PRE-test.  I plan to check everything out and then see if I can get 100%.

Giving Back to Ethiopia

In the last year or so, I’ve come across several organizations that would be great ways to get involved and help out your child’s first home.

AHOPE - An orphanage/community that cares for HIV+ children.

Kembata Women’s Self Help Center -  Works on several different projects (reduction of female genital mutilation, women/children’s health, business/trade development for women, environmental preservation) in the Kembata region of Ethiopia.

USAID’s Farmer to Farmer program -  Offers 2-6 week all expense paid trips (no salary) for people involved in agri-business to help transfer farming/agri-small business development/marketing experience to Ethiopians.

Ethiopia Reads - Sponsors a free library in Addis Ababa, as well as a bookmobile/donkey cart in Awasa.  Right now they are sponsoring a “Take a Book” program to stock their libraries.  If you can’t make a financial donation but are going to Ethiopia, please take a book or two or three or twenty-three to donate to their library programs.  If you have space to carry some books, please do so.

I’ll try to update this as I come across other organizations that do good work in Ethiopia.  If you have one of your own favorite organizations that does good, please leave a comment or email me. 

Trees for the Future - As you will see (or have seen), Ethiopia has a serious problem with the use of wood for fuel and the resulting erosion.  This organization is working to address the problem, plus there are opportunities to get involved when you are visiting Ethiopia.  I think planting some trees/vegetation would be a very simple way to help give back to your child’s country.

Children of Ethiopia Education Fund - The organization’s goal is to improve the lives and futures of girls in Ethiopia.  Plus they also want to provide opportunities for people in the United States and around the world, who have been more materially blessed, to give of themselves.  You can sponsor a child to go to school or support the construction of a school.  You can also experience some Ethiopian culture and support their projects by attending a Mesgana dancers performance.  You can buy tickets for their Chicago August 4, 2007 performance online.

Shinshicho and Hadero Photos

Links below will take you to full-size photos of images taken in the towns of Shinshicho and Hadero in the Southern Region of Ethiopia.

Hadero photos were taken in October 2006.    When opened, click on the link “Hade.”  32 photos available.

Shinshicho photos were taken in May and October 2006.  When opened, click on the link “Shin.” 18 photos available.

The “New” Guesthouse

Here are pics from CHSFS’ new guesthouse (2007).  I haven’t been there, so I don’t have much to report on its whereabouts, activities or amenities. 

  

  

 

I don’t think you should be too worried about your accommodations.  Good thing I didn’t stay there or my son would’ve had quite a let down after reaching my house in America.  Ma, where’s the satellite TV? (How about an antenna and 4 stations?)  Fireplace?  (How about a wood stove with ash burns in the carpet?)  Polished dining room table?  (Polished?  Would you settle for shiny from the hardened maple syrup residue?) Matching leather furniture?  (The only matching leather things we have in this house are your brother’s soccer shoes.) Hardwood floors? (Chipped laminate wood is pretty dang close!)  Gorgeous (living) plants? (How about synthetic plants? Less maintenance.)  3-4 decks? (Almost!  How about a front stoop, a side porchlette/steps and a cement pad behind the garage?)

Thanks to Cindy and Jayme for the photos.