Hello everyone, I am introducing Jane Kurtz with Ethiopia reads (www.ethiopiareads.org). Jane grew up in Ethiopia, and stated that it was always hard to see people in pain and struggling with no access to what we sometimes call the safety net. She is amazed at how people within Ethiopia laugh, dance, make music and tell stories no matter how hard life is or what they are struggling with. Jane loves the community and welcoming atmosphere of that culture. Still, there are so many kids hungry for simple things--a pen, a book, and a chance at school. She has been a volunteer with EthiopiaReads for many years as they connect children in Ethiopia with expanding their minds through books.
As we discussed poverty within Ethiopia I was shocked to learn that the poverty stricken areas are caused by drought. This is more than half the economy for this country, the same experience some of our towns are familiar with, except they do not have the means of governmental to assist them. Most of the workers within Ethiopia only earn up to $2 a day.
As I spoke with Jane and researched information on my own, I learned that hunger within this country. Like so many, is destroying families and causing more fatalities yearly. There is a high infant mortality rate (babies being born to sick women), common illnesses, and risk of infections caused by weakened immune systems throughout this country. As a result, economic growth is affected because most children will not attend school and this in turn impedes education and ultimately employment.
A profound statement was made throughout our interactions that I will always reflect upon-People who don’t have the power to protect their own interest are the ones being affected by poverty.
Terri,
ReplyDeleteI am happy that you were able to make a connection with Jane. It is great to hear that her community, though impoverished, still finds happiness in song, dance and culture. As an early childhood professional and a mother of two young boys I find it heartbreaking that children have to suffer and want for what seems to be such simple things for those of us not affected by poverty. You can see the downward spiral when communities are affected by poverty and how hard it must be to recoup from that situation. Thank you for introducing Jane and telling us her story.
Amy
Amy
ReplyDeleteI have two friends from Ethiopia who view life quite differently. One is an advocate for the people of Ethiopia and the political change that is needed to turn the country around. The other friend was from an Ethiopian family, where the father was some sort of chief and my friend's siblings moved to Europe and America for an ivy league education. She does not discuss the poverty issues of her country and she's not particularly intersted in my advocacy efforts for the plight of children. The contrast is interesting, but not surprising when considering my two friends had two different experiences while living in Ethiopia. I guess that would be the same for people living in the U.S. My perception of life, children, human rights and poverty as an African American female who grew up lower middle class would be very different from the perception's of another African American female who grew up in a well-to-do family. I am glad you made contact with Jane. I look forward to hearing more about Ethiopia through Jane's experiences. Thanks, Amy.