Join Yohannes in San Francsico on Saturday, October 18

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

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!

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

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

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.