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.

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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.

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

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.

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New! Slideshow of photos from Shola Children's Library

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.