Ethiopia Reads News

ETHIOPIA READS AND SCHOLASTIC LITERACY PARTNERS CELEBRATE BOOK WEEK USA, MAY 11-15

2009-04-15T12:59:00.004-06:00

ETHIOPIA READS AND SCHOLASTIC LITERACY PARTNERS CELEBRATE BOOK WEEK USA, MAY 11-15

Last week, children in Ethiopia celebrated Ethiopian Children's Book, a festival of reading, crafts, theater and storytelling presented by Ethiopia Reads. To mark the sixth anniversary of this wonderful tradition, Ethiopia Reads is thrilled to announce the first annual Ethiopia Reads Book Week USA, May 11-15, a celebration to encourage reading and build connections between children in the United States and Ethiopia. Students, teachers, librarians and parents across the country will join in this exciting and fun celebration of books, which supports Ethiopia Reads' literacy and library programs.

Ethiopia Reads is proud to present Book Week USA with Scholastic Literacy Partners, which has one simple goal: to assist literacy programs in their efforts to put more books into the hands of children in need.Proceeds from Ethiopia Reads Book Week will be used to purchase and ship thousands of first-rate, brand new books from Scholastic, the global children's publishing, education and media company, at discounted rates.

Here's how YOU can participate in Ethiopia Reads Book Week USA, a celebration of books and reading:

Bring Ethiopia Reads into the classroom, with fun activities and games to bring the beautiful language and culture of Ethiopia to your school.

Lead a fundraising project to support Ethiopia Reads' library programs.

Join the Friends of Ethiopia Reads School Partner Network.

Make a donation to keep Book Week going for years to come.

Visit Ethiopia Reads online to download Book Week materials and get involved.

The Inauguration Celebration Continues: Ethiopia Reads Launches Three New Donkey Mobile Libraries!

2009-01-27T12:11:00.004-07:00

Ethiopia Reads is thrilled to announce the opening of three new donkey mobile libraries, which officially went into service during a gala inauguaration ceremony on January 10. Established with the generous support of Rotary International, American Jewish World Service and the Ambassadors and Heads of Mission Spouses Group, the libraries will bring books and learning materials to children who live in rural areas surrounding Awassa, an agricultural town in southern Ethiopia.

Ethiopia Reads established Ethiopia's first Donkey Mobile Library in 2005. Since then, the traveling library has served thousands of boys and girls, registering an average of 35,000 visits per year. Ingenious in its design, the Donkey Mobile Library is a sturdy, portable cart that houses hundreds of children's books in both English and local Ethiopian languages. The Donkey Mobile Library has introduced reading and books to children in some of the poorest areas of Ethiopia, a country where 99% of schools have no books.

Please watch the slideshow to get in on the action!

The Donkey Mobile Library Program will continue to grow with your support. Please make a donation today to keep the wheels spinning.

Join Jane Kurtz for the debut of "Fire on the Mountain: The Musical" in Boston and Newark February 17 and 21!

2009-01-26T14:33:00.003-07:00

Ethiopia Reads is thrilled to announce that a musical adaptation of FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN, a book by Jane Kurtz, opens this month. This classic African folktale is given new life as a spirited four person musical theatre production by our friend Jonathan Luks of Flying Ship Productions.

Join Jane for performances of FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN! After each performance, Jane will sign copies of her books, with proceeds benefiting Ethiopia Reads.

BOSTON
Tuesday, February 17
The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum
10:30 am
Columbia Point
Boston, MA 02125
1-866-JFK-1960
http://tinyurl. com/ycx8jx

Saturday, February 21
Newark, NJ
Newark Public Library
2 pm
Main Library
Centennial Hall
5 Washington Street
Newark, NJ
1-973-733-7797

Journey with Alemayu, a young shepherd boy, through the vast mountains as he searches for his sister and learns life’s lessons of character, honesty, courage and love. Award winning children’s author Jane Kurtz first brought this venerable tale to American readers after hearing it while growing up in Ethiopia. The rich cultural heritage of this African region influences the music, staging, costuming and scenery in this wonderful, uplifting new musical.

Donkey Mobile Library Featured on the BBC!

2009-01-08T10:20:00.002-07:00

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7777560.stm
Follow the link to watch the video

Donkeys tackle Ethiopian literacy

By Elizabeth Blunt
BBC News, Awassa

In a bamboo and matting shelter on the edge of the town of Awassa, rows of tiny children are struggling with Ethiopia's fiendishly complicated Amharic alphabet.

"Huh - HUH! Hoo - HOO! Hee - HEE! Ha - HA!" they chant in unision after their teacher.

Their teacher is a small boy, scarcely older than they are, but he moves his pointer confidently along the chart showing the 256 different characters, and the children shout back.

"Ma - MA! Meh - MEH! Mi -MI! Mo - MO!"

Reading is a real challenge for children here, and not just because of the script.

When they have mastered the basics, what can they practice on?

The range of children's books published in Amharic is limited, and for many of the children Amharic is not even their first language.

There are seldom any books at home, and often very few at school either.

But these children in Awassa are lucky.

Silly Mammo

If you leave them practising their letters and walk out through the garden gate, you will find another group of children, clustered under a shady tree, absorbed in their books.

Parked alongside them is a brightly painted wooden cart, with sides which fold down to display the shelves of books.

The two donkeys which pull it are resting in another patch of shade.

This is Ethiopia's first Donkey Mobile Library - the brainchild of an expatriate Ethiopian now living in the United States.

His Ethiopian Books for Children and Educational Foundation (EBCEF) is also a publishing house and has produced many of the books on the shelves of the cart.

Some children are enjoying the lovely illustrations in the foreign picture books, which the library also carries, but their English is limited or non-existent.

Mostly they prefer the locally published, Amharic language stories.

It turns out that everybody's favourite is the story of Silly Mammo, familiar to generations of Ethiopian children.

Mammo is a well-meaning young man, but very silly. When his mother finally finds him a job, he drops the coins he earns and loses them.

"Next time, put your pay carefully in your pocket," says his mother.

The following day the farmer, instead of money, pays him with milk, with predictable consequences.

"No, no, no," says his mother, when she sees his dripping clothes.

"When he gives you something like that, you should carry it on your head," she says.

But Mammo's next wages come in the form of fresh butter wrapped in green leaves.

The children giggle delightedly at the drawing of the blazing sun, and the melting butter running down Mammo's face.

Ill-treated

Silly Mammo is the first book that the EBCEF has published in three languages: alongside the pictures are parallel texts in English, Amharic and Sidama - the local language of the region round Awassa.

By mid-afternoon it is time for the mobile library to pack up and move on to its next destination.

The children help pile their stools into the cart and the donkeys are harnessed up between the shafts.

The donkeys are not just a gimmick - in rural Ethiopia and provincial towns like Awassa, horse-drawn buggies and donkey carts are a normal form of transport.

But the project also tries to teach the children about respect for animals.

Donkeys here are generally despised and often ill-treated, but these two working donkeys wear the colourful embroidered trappings usually reserved for riding horses.

Alongside them walks the project's mascot - Queen Helena, the queen of all the donkeys.

She is an old lady now, but is decked out in a red silk saddle cloth, and a red and gold crown.

Absorbed

The donkey cart moves off down the street, surrounded by a swarm of delighted children, and eventually turns into the gate of a local primary school.

More excited children run out to meet it.
Like many state primary schools in Ethiopia, this one has no library of its own.

The staff say the children have made great strides in their learning and in their behaviour since getting regular access to books.

Most are from poor families; for them, even the modestly priced picture books published by EBCEF cost something like two days' wages.

In the centre of Awassa, and in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, EBCEF also runs conventional children's libraries, busy in the late afternoon with school children reading and drawing and doing their homework.

All the children are completely absorbed in what they are doing and treat the books with great care.

Out in the countryside, projects are under way to provide school libraries in villages where there have been none before.

For those children with access to books, the ritual chanting of the alphabet can be just the first step on the path to a lifetime of reading and learning.

For EBCEF's project manager in Awassa, Mezrasha Kibret, books are the key to everything.

"If we are interested in changing the world," he says, "then we have to read."

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/africa/7777560.stm

Published: 2009/01/08 11:44:03 GMT

© BBC MMIX

Friends in NYC and DC! Two chances to meet Ato Yohannes this week.

2008-12-12T13:47:00.003-07:00

To our friends in the New York and Washington, DC areas:

You are invited to meet Ato Yohannes and support Ethiopia Reads! Come hear Ato Yohannes speak about Ethiopia Reads recent work. Find out how you can get more involed.

New York City:
Saturday, December 13 at 2:00 PM at Cafe Addis (435 West 125 Street, NY, 10027). Phone: 212-663-0553

DC Area:
Wednesday December 17 - 7:00pm Abol Restaurant, 8628 Colesville Road (across the street from the AFI Silver Theater) Silver Spring, MD 20910

(RSVP: Matt Andrea 202-232-9085, Maureen Evans 301-386-5610).

Great Interview with Ato Yohannes on Tadias.com

2008-12-12T13:45:00.001-07:00

Interview with a CNN Hero Yohannes Gebregeorgis
Published by News Room December 9th, 2008

By Tadias Staff
Published: Tuesday, December 9, 2008

New York (Tadias) - We recently spoke with Yohannes Gebregeorgis, one of the Top Ten CNN Heroes of 2008. He was recognized for his remarkable efforts to bring free public libraries and literacy programs to thousands of children in Ethiopia, including the country’s first Donkey Mobile Library. Mr. Gebregeorgis, 59, was born in Ethiopia and came to the United States as a political refugee in 1981. He eventually put himself through college, earning a graduate degree in library science and worked as a librarian in San Francisco for nearly two decades before embarking on his current project.

Here is is our interview with Yohannes Gebregeorgis:

Yohannes Gebregeorgis (Photo courtesy of Ethiopia Reads)

Tadias: Yohannes, congratulations for being selected as one of CNN’s Top 10 Heroes of 2008!

Yohannes Gebregeorgis: Thank you. I appreciate Tadias Magazine for consistently covering Ethiopia Reads and making it possible for a lot of Ethiopians and other people to know our work. It’s very helpful when media like Tadias give coverage to such works. Thank you again.

Tadias: CNN’s Anderson Cooper said: “Our Top 10 CNN Heroes are proof that you don’t need superpowers — or millions of dollar, — to change the world and even save lives.” Please tell us about your organization, Ethiopia Reads, and your efforts that led to this recognition.

YG: It’s very true that one doesn’t have to be a superpower or a millionaire to change the world. Even though Ethiopia is not a super power, we know that there are millionaires in Ethiopia. However, they are not using their wealth to make an effective change or to save lives. I think the recognition that Ethiopia Reads has received is primarily for the recognition of the importance of literacy to the development of a country’s future; for it’s power to change individuals and society. What we’ve accomplished in the last six years is a drop in the ocean compared to the need. It’s a good beginning that needs to be kept alive and going until we cover all regions of Ethiopia. We’ve established two free public libraries for children and youth; one in Addis and one in Awassa. We’ve established one donkey mobile library and adding three more by January 2009. We’ve established 16 school libraries and adding another 18 in the next 6 months to one year. We’ve published 8 children’s books and distributed over 30,000 books freely to children with another 75,000 to be distributed freely in the next six months to a year.

We have over 100,000 children that make a visit to all our libraries; We’ve instituted an annual Ethiopian Children’s Book Week, a children’s book award – the Golden Kuraz Award, we’ve provided basic library and literacy training to about 120 teachers and assistant librarians, we’ve taken thousands of children on a march to parliament, and in our annual Book-A-Thon, we’ve made it into the local news media many times advocating reading and literacy. We’ve been widely featured in international media. We’ve created a solid foundation from where we can launch massive campaigns to cover all of Ethiopia given that we have the resources.
Tadias: Among your projects that has received the most press attention is Ethiopia’s first Donkey Mobile Library. What inspired you to come up with this creative concept?
YG: The Donkey Mobile Library was conceived because of the need to reach out to children in rural communities.. The idea of portable and mobile libraries existed in other countries. For example, there is a boat library in Colombia, south America, a camel library in Northern Kenya, a bicycle library and other forms of book delivery methods. The donkey mobile library is similar to a book mobile, a bus that carries books to different communities in developed countries. I’ve seen a donkey pulled satellite station in Zimbabwe several years ago and that has given me the idea of the donkey mobile library. I designed the whole donkey mobile cart with the shelves and storage areas. A very experienced Ethiopian metal engineer built the units from sketches and guidance I gave him. An artist made the necessary logos and designs on the cart and it turned out to be the best.

Tadias: Can you share with us an anecdote describing some of the experiences children had when they first visited one of your libraries? How did it change his or her life?

YG: When we first opened our first library in Addis Ababa and the Donkey Mobile Library in Awassa, we noticed several children who were holding books upside down. This children had never held a book before. One of these children, who was nine years old at the time is now a Star Reader, one of many children who are chosen annually for their reading skills and for reading out loud to other children. We select 12 Star Readers from thousands of children who come to our library annually. Robel has visited the library everyday since he first came six years ago. He’s participated in every program that we offer at the library such as English lessons, theatre, art and crafts and the sanitation program. Robel is also doing very well in his school as his grades have improved significantly.There are others like Robel who are part of the library family as we’ve known them for as long as the library’s existence.

Tadias: Eighteen years ago, you gave Mammo Qilo (the popupar Ethiopian children’s story) its American debut. You are the author of “Silly Mammo”, which was the first bilingual Amharic-English children’s book. Why Mammo Qilo?

YG: I’m so glad that Kilu Mammo has become famous in America! When I first thought about producing a book for Ethiopian children, Kilu Mammo was the only story that came to mind which appealed to me. Many Ethiopians remember the story from their childhood as I did. It’s a very simple but nice story. Children like silly stories to begin with and Mamo Kilu amuses not only children but also adults.
Tadias: We understand that you hold a graduate degree in library science and you served as Children’s Librarian at the San Francisco Children’s Library. How big, would you say, is the pool of trained librarians in Ethiopia that can assist with new library projects?

YG: There aren’t many Ethiopians who have a library training. There is no institution that has a training program as the Addis Ababa University folded its library science program some five or so years ago.I don’t think Ethiopian education authorities think of libraries as something very essential. Besides, there are no library policies in the educational policy of the country that I know of, therefore it makes it hard to have training programs where no one would hire the people that are trained. We have difficulty finding trained librarians. We’ve been hiring librarians ever since we started our program in Ethiopia. We’provide basic library training program for the school libraries that we establish.

Tadias: What are your long term plans to expand your program across the country? And what kind of help do you need?

YG: Our plan is to expand our projects and programs to all regions of Ethiopia by expanding to at least one region every two years. We now have projects in place that can easily be duplicated. In order to accomplish this ambitious goals we need, first and foremost financial support, then other material support such as books, computers, etc., and then any other kind of support such as volunteers.

Tadias: How can your U.S.-based fans help to further your organizational goals?

YG: There are so many ways that our fans in the US can help. For example, we’re about to embark on a membership drive that is geared towards Ethiopians. We’ve seen how enthusiastic Ethiopians have become when they discovered the work we do in Ethiopia. We see a very positive attitude and desire to help by a large number of Ethiopians. We’d like Ethiopians to support our work by becoming members and donating ten, twenty or whatever amount of money they could. Every book week has a theme around which we can raealy afford on a monthly instalment. We’d like to get a few thousand Ethiopians signing up for this monthly donation. Those who can afford can sponsor a library in memory of someone they love, sponsor a Donkey Mobile Library, sponsor publishing of a book, etc. There are so many ways our fans could be involved. People can find more information on our web site ethiopiareads.org.
Tadias: Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?
Since 2003, Ethiopia Reads has organized an annual Ethiopian Children’s Book Week, an annual celebration of books, reading and libraries. During our first book week, we took more than a thousand children on a march to the Ethiopian Parliament with a petition asking the government to provide libraries and boks for children. We’ve special programs everyday of the week such as Read-A-thon, Book-A-Thon, Bread and Books Day, International Children’s Book Day, Book Launch, Golden Kuraz Award, the Star Reader Award, Art Day and many other activities take place during the one week. Every book week has a special theme as a focus. Readers are Leaders, Libraries for Rural Development, Bread and Books for Children, Those who read Bloom, Ethiopia Stretches her Hands, are the book week themes of the last six years. Special posters that reflect these themes are made and distributed. The next book week is the Sixth Ethiopian Children’s Book Week to be held April 1-7, as it always is, with a theme “Ethiopia Reads” (Ethiopia Tanebalech). What we want to share with Tadias readers is to celebrate book week with us by reading to children, by making books available to your family, support Ethiopia Reads and other organizations that work in Ethiopia.

Tadias: Thank you so much for your time, Yohannes, and good luck with your work.

YG: Thank you Tadias for your interest in the work of Ethiopia Reads and for supporting us by writing about our work.
—

Vote AGAIN for Yohannes: Nominated Ethiopian Person of the Year

2008-12-08T16:28:00.002-07:00

Vote AGAIN for Yohannes: Nazet's Ethiopian Person of the Year
Yohannes’ has been nominated as the Ethiopian Person of the Year by Nazret.com, a prominent Ethiopian blog. He’s nominated along with some very high-profile Ethiopians, including Liya Kabede, Olympic distance runners Kenenisa Bekele and Tirunesh Dibaba and pop star Teddy Afro.

Please visit the site to vote and check in on the interesting discussion.
We’ll be spreading the word this week.

http://nazret.com/blog/index.php...

Thanks to Nazret.com for the nomination.

Yohannes to visit Maplewood Public Library in Maplweood, New Jersey on Thursday, December 11

2008-12-08T14:50:00.003-07:00

CNN ‘TOP TEN HERO,’ CHILDREN’S LITERACY ADVOCATE TO VISIT MAPLEWOOD PUBLIC LIBRARY

Ethiopia Reads Founder and CNN Hero Yohannes Gebregeorgis
Thursday, December 11
7 pm-8:30 pm
Maplewood Public Library
51 Baker Street, Maplewood, NJ

Yohannes Gebregeorgis, a native of Ethiopia and children’s literacy advocate, visits the Maplewood Public Library on Thursday, December 11, sharing his personal journey and message about the life-changing power of books. Recently nominated as a “Top Ten Hero of the Year” by CNN, Yohannes will speak about his work his work establishing libraries for children in Ethiopia, a country where books for children simply do not exist.

Growing up in rural Ethiopia with very little access to books, Gebregeorgis was 19 years old the first time he picked up a book for pleasure. This experience went on to shape his life as a literacy advocate, children’s book author, and co-founder of Ethiopia Reads, a non-profit organization based in Denver, CO and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Gebregeorgis came to the United States in 1983 seeking political asylum from the then-military dictatorship in Ethiopia. He worked as a hospital pharmacist and continued pursuing his education, earning a Bachelor’s of Arts in journalism and English literature and a Master’s degree in library science.

Later, as a children’s librarian at the San Francisco Public Library, Gebregeorgis realized there were few books published in local Ethiopian languages. So he wrote Silly Mammo, the first bilingual Amharic-English children's book.

In 2002, Gebregeorgis left his job in San Francisco and returned to Ethiopia. With 15,000 books donated by the San Francisco Children's Library, he opened a children's library on the first floor of his Addis Ababa home. The library was so deluged by children that it soon required the addition of two large tents.

In a country with an estimated 42% percent literacy rate, Gebregeorgis founded the non-profit, Ethiopia Reads, as a way to put books into the hands of children and to promote a culture of reading. Ethiopia Reads builds libraries and also oeprates a popular donkey-powered mobile library that brings books to rural children in remote villages. The organization also publishes children’s books in local Ethiopian languages and sends shipments of donated books from the United States to Ethiopia. In 2008, Ethiopia Reads will serve approximately 100,000 children. http://www.ethiopiareads.org/

As a “CNN Top Ten Hero of the Year,” Yohannes is recognized his work to bring positive global change by empowering children through education. Please visit www.heroes.cnn.com to vote for Yohannes. Yohannes will be featured as part of the “All Star Heroes Tribute,” hosted by Anderson Cooper, to air to a global audience of 70 million on Thanksgiving evening.

Gebregeorgis is also a recipient of the 2008 Presidential Citation for International Innovation from the American Library Association, the first to receive this honor in its inaugural year.

Gebregeorgis lives in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where he serves as the Executive Director of Ethiopia Reads.

Yohannes coming to the DC Area: Join Ethiopia Reads for dinner Wednesday, December 17

2008-12-08T14:46:00.003-07:00

Wednesday December 17 - 7:00pm
Abol Restaurant
8628 Colesville Road (across the street from the AFI Silver Theater)
Silver Spring, MD 20910

Please join us for an evening with Yohannes Gebregeorgis, founder and executive director of Ethiopia Reads.

Yohannes was recently chosen as one of the Top Ten CNN Heroes for his effort to spread literacy to the children of Ethiopia. Visit http://heroes.cnn.com.

Before he left to embark on such a herculean project, Yohannes worked as children's librarian in San Francisco for nearly two decades. We are Friends of Ethiopia Reads and would like to give him a hero's welcome when he visits the Washington area.

The event will feature some of the very finest Ethiopian food in the DC area and Yohannes as a Guest Speaker.

Suggested Donation: $100.00.

Please RSVP to one of the numbers listed below. We hope to see you there. Please come on time.

RSVP: Matt Andrea 202-232-9085
Kidist Desta 202-446-7254
Maureen Evans 301-386-5610

Watch Yohannes on CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute on Thanksgiving Night!

2008-11-26T13:38:00.005-07:00

CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute
Thanksgiving Night
9 pm EST

Ethiopia Reads founder Yohannes Gebregeorgis is one of 10 visionaries honored during CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute, airing in a global broadcast tomorrow night.

Chosen from 4,000 nominees, Yohannes was named a Hero for his work championing literacy for children in Ethiopia. Tune in to watch Yohannes receive an award from Oscar-winning actor Forest Whitaker, who praises Yohannes for leaving a comfortable life in the United States to pursue a dream of connecting children with books.

The star-studded celebration is hosted by Anderson Cooper and features musical performances by Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera and John Legend (pictured here with Yohannes). Other Hollywood luminaries on hand to salute the CNN Heroes include actors Robert Duvall, Meg Ryan, Cameron Diaz and Hugh Jackman.

The real stars, however, are the Heroes themselves. Yohannes is in great company among the nine other nominees -- all ordinary people doing inspirational work.

Last month, CNN sent a film crew to Ethiopia Reads libraries in Addis Ababa and Awassa. Their moving film will be featured in tomorrow's broadcast and nicely showcases Ethiopia Reads' programs, including the Donkey Mobile Library.

Please watch with us, as we share this moment of celebration with all of you -- our friends, volunteers, donors and supporters across the world.

For a preview, visit:
http://heroes.cnn.com/

Then visit www.ethiopiareads.org to learn more and make a donation in honor of Yohannes, our hero, on this special day.

Wishing you a warm and wonderful Thanksgiving,
Your Friends at Ethiopia Reads

VOTE again for Yohannes as CNN's Top 10 Hero of the Year!

2008-11-13T10:03:00.004-07:00

Ethiopia Reads believes that those who read bloom
Please help us bloom
by voting for Yohannes Gebregeorgis: Top Ten CNN Hero of the Year

Click to VOTE AGAIN

Voting only takes a second, and you can vote multiple times! Tell your friends, family, workmates, schoolmates, book club members and neighbors to vote, vote and vote again!

Voting continues until November 20 at 6 am. The CNN Hero with the most votes will be honored as Hero of the Year -- and will receive $100,000. Think of all the books and library materials that would buy!

We need your help to keep Yohannes' dream alive. Please consider making a donation in honor of Yohannes.

Yohannes and all of the Top 10 Heroes will be honored in a special worldwide broadcast on Thanksgiving night. We'll be watching, and we hope you will, too!

Thanks for your support! We share this excitement with all of you.

Your friends at Ethiopia Reads

Yohannes to appear at Boulder Public Library Thursday, November 13

2008-11-13T09:59:00.003-07:00

AUTHOR TALK

Meet Yohannes Gebregeorgis and learn about Ethiopia Reads!

Boulder Public Library
Main Branch
1000 Canyon Road
Thursay, November 13
4:30-5:30 pm

Yohannes to visit Hennepin Country Library in Minneapolis, MN Tuesday, November 25

2008-11-13T09:51:00.005-07:00

AUTHOR TALK

Tuesday, November 25
Hennepin County Library
Central Branch
Pholad Hall
300 Nicollet Mall

CNN launched its second annual global search for ordinary people accomplishing extraordinary deeds in February. More than 3,700 nominations were submitted by viewers in 75 countries. CNN's Anderson Cooper announced the 10 honorees Thursday on "American Morning”.
Hennepin Country Library just learned that Yohannes Gebregeorgis was named as one of CNN’s Top Ten Heroes of 2008. In order to attend a special celebration for this year’s honorees, Mr. Gebregeorgis had to reschedule his library visit talk. Come meet him in person on November 25, 2008.

Yohannes Gebregeorgis
Children’s literacy advocate and founder of Ethiopia Reads will speak at Minneapolis Central Library

A native of Ethiopia and children’s literacy advocate, Yohannes Gebregeorgis, will share his personal journey about his work setting up libraries and promoting reading in Ethiopia. Growing up in rural Ethiopia with very little access to books, Yohannes was 19 the first time he picked up a book for pleasure. This experience went on to shape his life as a literacy advocate, children’s book author, and co-founder of Ethiopia Reads.

Yohannes now lives in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where he organizes the opening of libraries, continues to publish books, and trains library staff.
There will be books for sale following the event.

Yohannes featured in the Rocky Mountain News

2008-11-13T09:25:00.005-07:00

Yohannes is featured in Thursday's edition of the Rocky Mountain News, one of two major daily newspapers in Denver.

Read it Here.

Many thanks to write James Meadow for his great story, which chronicles Yohannes' story as well as his visit to Arrowwood Elementary School in Highland Ranch, CO. The visit was arranged by our friend and supporter Mary Beth Henze, a reading specialist at Arrowwood who introduced the school to Ethiopia Reads last year. The school loved learning about Ethiopia Reads -- especially the Donkey Mobile Library -- and launched a fundraising drive that generated $2,800 for Ethiopia Reads.

Please share the story with your friends, and don't forget to vote for Yohannes as CNN's Hero of the Year.

Yohannes named Top Ten Hero of the Year by CNN

2008-10-09T07:02:00.003-06:00

Denver, CO -- Yohannes Gebregeorgis, a native of Ethiopia and children's literacy advocate, has been named a Top 10 Hero of the Year by CNN. Mr. Gebregeorgis was selected from more than 3,000 individuals nominated by viewers throughout the year. Finalists were selected by a Blue Ribbon panel of judges that includes Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Jane Goodall and Deepak Chopra. The Top 10 Heroes will be recognized in CNN's "All-Star Tribute" to air on Thanksgiving.

Mr. Gebregeorgis was first recognized as a "hero" by CNN in May for his work championing children in Ethiopia. A former political refugee who worked as a librarian at San Francisco Public Library, Mr. Gebregeorgis is the co-founder of Ethiopia Reads, a non-profit organization that works to create a reading culture in Ethiopia by connecting children with books. In a country where 99% of schools have no libraries, Mr. Gebregeorgis and Ethiopia Reads are improving lives, one book at a time.

Vote for Yohannes here.

From October 12 to December 15, Mr. Gebregeorgis will visit cities across the United States, sharing his story and vision for Ethiopia Reads. Cities include Washington, DC; San Francisco, CA; Seattle, WA; Kansas City, KS; Denver, CO; Albuquerque, NM; Los Angeles, CA; Minneapolis, MN; and New York, NY. A complete itinerary follows.

ABOUT YOHANNES GEBREGEORGIS
Growing up in rural Ethiopia with very little access to books, Gebregeorgis was 19 years old the first time he picked up a book for pleasure. This experience went on to shape his life as a literacy advocate, children's book author, and co-founder of Ethiopia Reads, a non-profit organization based in Denver, CO and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Gebregeorgis came to the United States in 1983 seeking political asylum from the then-military dictatorship in Ethiopia. He worked as a hospital pharmacist and continued pursuing his education, earning a Bachelor's of Arts in journalism and English literature and a Master's degree in library science.

Later, as a children's librarian at the San Francisco Public Library, Gebregeorgis realized there were few books published in local Ethiopian languages. So he wrote Silly Mammo, the first bilingual Amharic-English children's book. He enlisted the support of acclaimed children's author, Jane Kurtz, who helped raise funds for the first printing. Ms. Kurtz is now President of the Ethiopia Reads Board of Directors.

In 2002, Gebregeorgis left his job in San Francisco and returned to Ethiopia. With 15,000 books donated by the San Francisco Children's Library, he opened a children's library on the first floor of his Addis Ababa home. The library was so deluged by children that it soon required the addition of two large tents.

Today, Shola Children's Library records an average of 60,000 visits per year. Additionally, Ethiopia Reads is planting libraries in public schools across Addis Ababa and Awassa at the rate of one per month. Ethiopia Reads has published six bi-lingual story books for children.

Gebregeorgis is the recipient of the 2008 Presidential Citation for International Innovation from the American Library Association, the first to receive this honor in its inaugural year.

Gebregeorgis lives in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where he serves as the Executive Director of Ethiopia Reads.

Join Yohannes in San Francsico on Saturday, October 18

2008-10-05T16:59:00.005-06:00

Back to School Means Back to Books: New Libraries Now Open

2008-09-22T11:38:00.007-06:00

Ethiopia Reads started the 2008-09 school year with a bang, opening the doors of new libraries for children in Addis Ababa and Awassa. These libraries are used by students, teachers and school directors, providing a safe and inviting environment for study and reading.

Ethiopia Reads opens approximately one new library every month. We are closing in on our goal of opening 30 libraries by the end of 2008.

Ethiopia Reads libraries are planted in partnership with families, businesses, schools, community and civic groups in the United States. Our sincere thanks to our 2008 library sponsors:

Trees for Life, Wichita, KS
Georgia O'Keefe Elementary School, Albuquerque, NM
Carl and Christine Griffin, Denver, CO
Lynda M. Goldstein of The LMG Foundation, Denver, CO
Rotary International
Carol Alexander and Steve Cornetet, Denver, CO
Schroeder Middle School, Grand Forks, ND
Sarah Klingenberger, Neenah, WI
Parents and Friends of Wide Horizons Agency, Children's Home Society and Family Services, AAI and Christin World Adoption Agency
The Family of Marvin and Jeanette Klevberg
Colorado DECA Club
St. Anthony Park Elementary School, St. Paul, MN
Dan and Ann Wilds, Houston, TX
The George C. and Patricia Ann Fisher Foundation
The Wattis Foundation, Denver, CO
Lily Lakew Family, San Francisco, CA
Wezyero Tenaye and Behailu Mekbib, San Francisco, CA
Sheryl Meredith Family, San Francisco, CA
Sam Tadesse, San Francisco, CA

Announcing the New Shola Children's Library!

2008-07-30T18:47:00.004-06:00

The new Shola: A bigger, better, book-filled library for kids

Ethiopia Reads is thrilled to announce the new home of Shola Children's Library in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Located within walking distance of the original Shola, the new library has more rooms, more furniture and more room for the thousands of boys and girls who visit every month. The library is well-equipped to house Shola's growing collection of more than 15,000 books, and is also home to a growing roster of programs in art, drama, poetry and book-making.

Originally opened in 2003, Shola Children's Library is the first free public library for children in Ethiopia. In 2007, children made more than 60,000 visits to the library. The library is supported by the Global Fund for Children, James and Teresa Mitchum of Leawood, KS, and hundreds of donors across the country.

Read more about the new Shola in the latest issue of The Ethiopian Bee, published by our staff in Addis Ababa.

Books, books and more books! Ethiopia Reads multi-lingual books for children are great for kids everywhere

2008-04-29T22:29:00.003-06:00

Ethiopia Reads published Silly Mammo, the first bi-lingual book for children, in 2003. Since then, we have published six titles in English-Amharic and one in English-Sidamo. Our most recent addition is "The Elephant and the Cock," a 25-story collection of folk tales collected in regions across Ethiopia by the British author Elizabeth Laird. The stories were then translated and illustrated by regional Ethiopian artists. Thanks to the Christensen Fund of Palo Alto, CA, for their generous support of that project. Look for a new book about Queen Helina and the Donkey Mobile Library in the US this fall.

Help us spread the word! Download this slideshow by clicking the image above.

People Power! The Friends of Ethiopia Reads are on the Move

2008-04-29T22:25:00.005-06:00

Ethiopia Reads is powered by thousands of supporters across the world who believe that books change lives. From school groups to reading clubs, in classrooms to Board rooms, volunteers make it happen. Thanks to all of the teachers, librarians, community leaders, grandparents, kids, business people, families and individuals who give so much to Ethiopia Reads.

Help us spread the word! Download this slideshow by clicking the image above.

New! Slideshow of photos from Ethiopia Reads' programs in Addis Ababa and Awassa

2008-04-29T22:24:00.003-06:00

Ethiopia Reads is working to bring the joy of reading to children across Ethiopia. This album contains photos taken in Addis Ababa as well as the agricultural capital of Awassa, approximately 5 hours southwest of the capital. Awassa is home to the Awassa Reading and Literacy Center for Youth, as well as Queen Helina and the Donkey Mobile Library, which serves rural children on the outskirts of town. Thanks to Norman Perdue for many of the photos shown here.

Help us spread the word! Download this slideshow by clicking the image above.

New! Slideshow of photos from Shola Children's Library

2008-04-29T22:19:00.004-06:00

These photos were taken by staff and volunteers at Shola Children's Library, the first free public library in Ethiopia. Located in one of Addis Ababa's poorest neighborhood, Shola serves boys and girls between the ages of 3-20 six days a week. Approximately 50,000 books, both in English as well as local Ethiopian languges, line the shelves at Shola. The library is also home to programs in reading, art, theater, dance, health and wellness, as well as the annual Ethiopian Children's Book Week Celebration. Thanks to Matthew Andrea, Catie Dupont, Norman Perdue and many others for the photos.

Help us spread the word! Download this slideshow by clicking the image above.

Celebrate Ethiopian Children's Book Week April 1-7

2008-01-31T14:05:00.000-07:00

Ethiopia Reads is proud to announce that it will host the 5th Annual Ethiopian Children's Book Week April 1-7 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This year's theme is "Ethiopia Extends Her Hands to Books" -- a ftting sentiment during this millennimum year, as Ethiopia embraces new opportunities, hopes and ideas for the future.

Thousands of children will participate in the week-long festival, which celebrates the joy that books and literature bring to young lives. Theatrical and musical performances, dance, readings of stories written by and for children are among the highlights. International digntiarites, the media, parents, educators and community leaders will be among those who flock to Shola Children's Library for this festival of fun and literacy.

The calendar of events for Ethiopian Children's Book Week includes:

April 1 – Bread and Books Day. Free books and bread given to children.
April 2 – International Children’s Book Day & Hans Christian Andersen’s Birthday
April 3-4 – Reading and performances by children at Shola Children's Library

April 5 – Launch of three new mutli-lingual books for children

April 6 – BOOK-A-THON. Shola kids take to the streets to celebrate the power of books

April 7 – Dedication of The Klevberg Family Library, one of 20 Ethiopia Reads will open in 2008

Want to join us in Addis Ababa for Book Week? We'd love to see you there. Email tsilat@ethiopiareads.org for information on visiting Shola Children's Library during Book Week -- or any time of year.

Silly Mammo Now Available!

2007-12-17T08:54:00.000-07:00

After selling out of our initial run, Ethiopia Reads is pleased to announce that Silly Mammo is now available for sale in the United States. Originally published in 2003, Silly Mammo is a classic retelling of a famous Ethiopian folk tale, written by Yohannes Gebregeorgis.

Published in English and Amharic, Silly Mammo was the first dual-language book for children in Ethiopia. To date, more than 10,000 copies have been distributed to children throughout Ethiopia.

Silly Mammo -- and all of Ethiopia Reads' books -- make great gifts for Ethiopians and Ethio-Americans of every age and background. They are also very popular with American families who have adopted children from Ethiopia, as they help maintain a link to the culture, language and culture of Ethiopia.

Click here to purchase Silly Mammo and other Ethiopia Reads' books. Order by Wednesay, December 19 to ensure holiday delivery.

Ethiopia Reads featured in GOOD HOUSEKEEPING Magazine!

2007-09-10T18:10:00.000-06:00

Ethiopia Reads is thrilled to be featured in the October issue of Good Housekeeping! The eight-page feature story, "Hope Volume I," was written by the wonderful Melissa Fay Greene,w ith photos by J Carrier. Look for your copy on newsstands now.

This spring, Melissa spent a few weeks in Addis Ababa and Awassa, getting to know Yohannes Gebregeorgis, Ethiopia Reads' co-founder and Executive Director. Melissa also spent lots of time with children at Shola Children's Library and the Awassa Reading Center, and saw first-hand the power of books in the lives of children.

As Melissa reports, books for children are a rarity in Ethiopia, as are so many educational resources and opportunities that Americans take for granted. Yet Ethiopian children -- like children everywhere -- love books and stories, as well as the sanctuary of a library. Literacy is the tool that will improve their lives and the lives of future generations of Ethiopians.

As Melissa writes:

"Literacy is now understood to be a threshold to greater productivity, better health, longer life and decreased maternal and neo-natal death rates....Children exposed to books will look beyond a lack of material goods to a world of possibilities."

"Books saved my life," Yohannes says, after sharing his story about how exposure to books as a teenager opened his mind to a reality he had not previously known.

Freelance photographer J Carrier visited Awassa and Addis Ababa in July, and his beautiful photographs are a stunning compliment to Melissa's story. The above photo shows what went on behind the scenes as he captured the procession of Queen Helina and the Donkey Mobile Library through a rural enclave on the outskirts of Awassa. Children came running from every direction, as did curious adults -- even goats, dogs and chickens!

Thanks to GOOD HOUSEKEEPING Magazine for publishing this article, and thanks to our friend Melissa Fay Greene for letting the world know about individuals and organizations working on behalf of children everywhere. Melissa is the author of the groundbreaking book There is No Me Without You, which introduced millions of readers to the plight of Ethiopian children orphaned by and living with HIV/AIDS.

Ethiopia Reads' mission is to create a reading culture in Ethiopia by connecting children with books. Our supporters include readers, writers, educators, librarians, children, grandparents -- anyone who shares our belief that books do make a difference in the lives of children. We're delighted that you found us!

Chavel's Library and Learning Center, One of Five New Libraries Now Open!

2007-03-28T11:55:00.000-06:00

In February, Ethiopia Reads opened the doors on five new libraries in Addis Ababa. These new libraries were opened in partnership with government schools and sponsors in the United States, who provided the funding for books, furniture, staff and training. The libraries are all open six days a week. Since opening, each has attracted hundreds of children every day.

At Chavel's Library and Learning Center, pictured here, boys and girls from Yewket Fana Elementary School are drawn by 2,000 books in English as well as local Ethiopian languages. This colorful, light-filled room is a gift from Noel and Tamara Cunningham of Denver, Colorado.

Other libraries are now open in:

Atse Na-Od Primary and Secondary Public School, a gift from Books for Life International of Wichita, Kansas.

Dejach Belay Zeleke No. 1 Elementary and Secondary Public School, a gift made in Memory of Yemegnushal Haile by Behailu Mekbib of San Francisco, CA.

Agazian No. 2 Elementary Public School , a gift from Lily, Ramah & Matthan Lakew of CA, in fond memory of Dr. Dawit Fassil.

Ethiopia Andenet Elementary and Junior Secondary Public School, a gift from the Meredith Family of San Francisco, California.

At least five more libraries are due this fall.

When in Addis, please visit our libraries!

Thanks to all of our library sponsors for these wonderful gifts.

Traveling to Ethiopia? Join the TAKE ONE BOOK Campaign

2007-03-28T11:36:00.000-06:00

Take One Book Literacy Campaign for Ethiopia

One book can change a life. That is what Ethiopia Reads founder Yohannes Gebregiorgis discovered at 19 years of age when he held his first book. Now you have the opportunity to change a life through Ethiopia Reads’ “TAKE ONE BOOK” campaign. In recognition of the Millenium celebration in Ethiopia this year we are committed to donating at least 2,000 books to children in Ethiopia.

Ethiopia Reads, founded in 2003, works to improve literacy and create a culture of reading in Ethiopia. We do this by planting libraries and publishing books in local languages as well as offering continuing education programs to help educators in Ethiopia nurture a love of reading.

Since Ethiopia Reads opened Ethiopia’s first free children’s library in 2003, thousands of children have experienced the joy of reading. The library received 60,000 visits to the library in 2006. Ethiopia Reads sees first hand the difference that one library, ONE BOOK, and one story can make in the life of a child.

If you or someone you know is traveling to Ethiopia during 2007, Ethiopia Reads challenges you to TAKE ONE BOOK with you, because we believe that education is hope and books can change lives. Books can be dropped off at the Shola Children’s Library in Addis Ababa. Shola is located in Beklo-Bet, behind the Dashen Bank off of Debre Zeit road.

If you are not traveling this year but want to make a difference in Ethiopia, we are collecting books in Washington, DC to send over with other travellers. Books can be dropped at Zethiopia’s office at 11th and U Street, NW.

For more information on the TAKE ONE BOOK campaign, please contact Catie Dupont at catie@ethiopiareads.org or Katie Douglas at katie@ethiopiareads.org.

WILL YOU TAKE ONE BOOK?

Suggested book list:

1. Any type of non-fiction books are appreciated.

2. Suggested fiction titles:

· Baby Baboon
· Crafty Chameleon
· Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Ears, by Verna Aardema
· Bringing the Rain to Kaputi Plain
· Anansi Does the Impossible
· Kaldi and the Dancing Goats, the story of Ethiopian Coffee
· Anansi and the Talking Melon
· Anansi the Spider
· Babu’s Song
· Fatuma’s New Cloth
· My Rows and Piles of Coins
· Once Upon a Time
· What’s Cooking Jamela
· The Day Gogo Went to Vote
· Silly Mammo
· Aida
· Kings and Queens of West Africa
· Sundiata: The Lion King
· Seven Spools of Thread
· Journey to Jo’Burg
· Saba: Under the Hyena’s Foot
· Storytellers’ Beads
· Moonlight Bride
· The Dark Child: The Autobiography of an African Child
· The Other Side of Truth
· Out of Bounds: Seven Stories of Conflict and Hope
· Weep not Child
· Song of Lawino, Song of Ocol
· Purple Hibiscus
· So Long a Letter
· Nervous Conditions
· No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency
· The Magic Gourd
· Bintou’s Braids
· My Great Grandmother’s Gourd
· Tutankhamen’s Gift
· No Turning Back
· Hatshepsut: His Majesty Herself
· Year of No Rain
· Many Stones
· The Ugly Goddess
· Beduin’s Gazelle
· Mother to Mother
· Midaq Alley
· Dreams of Trespass

*Visit www.janekurtz.com for more children’s books related to life in Africa

Ethiopia's President Girma Meets with Ethiopia Reads

2007-01-17T14:03:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday, January 9, Ethiopia Reads' was honored to meet with Ethiopia's President Girma Woldegiorgis.

President Girma invted Ethiopia Reads Executive Director Yohannes Gebregeorgis to the Presidential Palace to talk about Ethiopia Reads' efforts to increase literacy in Ethiopia.

President Girma was very gracious with both his time and interest, and expressed support for Ethiopia Reads. He agreed to participate in Ethiopan Children's Book Week, a festival of children's literacy which takes to the streets in Addis Ababa April 1-7.

Preisdent Girma's involvement is just one of many exciting developments surrounding Book Week. Ethiopia Reads is launching Ethiopia Reads Book Week in the United States, with events, fundraisers and projects throghout the country. The American festival will culminate with a series of special events in Washington, D.C.

Thanks to President Girma for his support of Ethiopia Reads! We are honored to include this leader among our growing network of friends and supporters.

Dejache Geneme: Another Ethiopia Reads library ready to open!

2007-01-17T13:39:00.000-07:00

Dejach Geneme Primary and Junior Secondary School, the second school to be fully sponsored by Ethiopia Reads, will open in January.

Dejach Geneme is a public school running from grade 1 to grade 8 with 1802 students. Ethiopia Reads provides the school with all the librarian training, furniture and books of different kinds, in both English and local Ethiopian languages.

Other schools scheduled to open in January include:

Chavel's Library and Learning Center at Yewket Fana Elementary and Junior Secondary School, a gift of Noel and Tamara Cunningham of Denver, Colorado

Atse Na-od Primary and Secondary Public Scool, a gfit of Trees for Life, a non-profit organization based in Wichita, Kansas.

Shola Children's Library Welcomes Students from the French American International School of San Francisco

2007-01-17T13:19:00.000-07:00

Here's a report from our staff in Addis Ababa:

Friday 22nd December was the happiest day for the children of Shola Children’s Library.

Students of the French American International School of San Francisco, who came to Ethiopia for humanitarian purposes, came to Shola Children’s Library to spend some time with the children in the library.

Lena Yesowhich, Leland Kusmer, Jake Moritz Cary Jones, Drew Peltler, Gabriela de Golia, accompanied by their Elizabeth Cleere, parents and staff of their host organization, Save the Children U.S.A, visited Shola Children’s Library and spent 2 hours with the children.

The volunteers participated in different activities, such as reading storybooks, singing songs and playing games with the children.

One of the volunteers, Gabriela de Golia, gave art class for eight children for an hour and half.

Volunteers also helped with book sorting.

More photos of the students working in the library can be seen on our photo album. Click on the small photo album icon to see our galleries of photos!

Global Fund for Children Helps Pay For Shola Children's Library

2006-07-29T12:31:00.000-06:00

A second year of funding to help pay expenses for the Shola Children's Library has been awarded by the Global Fund for Children in Washington D.C. A small health grant will also allow EBCEF to continue a weekend water-for-health for forty of the poorest neighborhood children who don't have running water in their homes. Volunteer Sarah Fauerbach also wrote a series of health lessons for the children.

Due to a small health grant from the Global Children's Fund in Washington D.C., EBCEF is now able to provide washing on weekends for neighborhood children with no running water. Children gather to wash their clothes, shower and get their hair cared for in a special area of the book center compound.

The First Donkey Mobile Library Launched In Awassa

2006-07-29T12:12:00.000-06:00

For several months in fall 2005, Yohannes worked on designing a cart and loading it with books purchased locally and carried from the U.S. by visitors Jeanne and Herb Smith from McPherson, Kansas. The majority of the funding for a first Donkey Mobile Library came from the Bergstrom Foundation, First Presbyterian Church, Neenah, Wisconsin and from John Wood and Hilary Valentine. Other organizations that have offered help with the Donkey Mobile Library are Room to Read, a nonprofit based in San Francisco and Biblionef, a Holland based organization Yohannes connected with at an IBBY conference in Cape Town.

On December 31, 2005, "Nigist Helina--Queen of all Donkeys of Ethiopia" came leading the Donkey Mobile Library, which was pulled by two donkeys. Yohannes reports that "Nigist Helina" was elegant. “She really looked regal,” he says. Guests and children greeted her with applause and shouts of "Long live the Queen.” EBCEF’s guest of honor, Weizero Fanaye, chairperson of Kebele 01 in Awassa where the Donkey Mobile Library will be serving, made a speech and cut the ribbon. Students of Ethio-American Friendship School entertained guests and children with traditional dances of the Sidam, Wolaita, Amhara and Gurage people, ethnic groups who live in and around Awassa.

Yohannes says, “Then ‘Nigist Helina’ led the Donkey Mobile Library out of the school compound to the major streets of Awassa. There was quite an excitement as thousands of children followed, shouting ‘Nigist Helina’ and ‘metshaf yisiten’ (we want books). The queen had an umbrella bearer, and people along the street marveled and admired the queen and the library. The chief of traffic police rode on his brand new motorcycle in front of the queen making the street clear for the Donkey Mobile Library. The news reporters were all at hand from ETV, The Reporter, Addis Admas, and FM Radio. The local FM radio announced the event several times during the day and the whole city was talking about this spectacle.”

Miss Universe-Ethiopia Pageant Goes to The Shola Children's Library

2006-07-29T12:03:00.000-06:00

In April, the 24 contestants from the Miss Universe-Ethiopia pageant came to the Shola Children's Library to help celebrate book week!