Ethiopia
Ethiopia is known as the "Roof of Africa." Much of Ethiopia is located on a
high plateau that ranges in altitude from 6,000 to 10,000 feet. The mountains of
this area are the source of many rivers and streams, including the Blue Nile.
The Nile, as it runs through Egypt's fertile crescent, contains 80% of its
water, before it leaves Ethiopia's borders. You will be struck by the beauty of
Ethiopia. It is green and fertile. The poverty that characterizes Ethiopia is
not due to lack of fertility, but the size of the population (almost 73 million
people in a country about 5 times the size of Utah). That's 35 times the
population of Utah. Probably 95% of the population of Ethiopia, live in rural
villages on very small plots of land, with no modern farming equipment.
Ethiopia's population of subsistence farmers, one of the densest rural
populations on earth, simply demands more from the earth than it can produce
with primitive farming methods. Even though the land is fertile, when the rains
do not come at the right time, in adequate quantities, the people starve by the
millions.
Disease, ignorance, malnutrition and unemployment have often been used as
weapons to keep the people of Ethiopia from rebelling. Thus, over the centuries,
a tremendous build-up of human desperation has characterized the economy of
Ethiopia. For these and other reasons, there is a tremendous need for help in
the foundational areas Village of Hope focuses on, namely; Fresh Water,
Agriculture, Health Care, High Risk Children protection, Education, Family
Income, Nutrition and Sanitation.
Our project area encompasses villages in the Arsi Negelle/Shashamene
area, located about three and a half hours south of Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia.
On expedition, you will arrive in Addis and stay one night, before departing for Kersa Illala,
our project village. Addis is a city of almost 3 million inhabitants, very few
of whom are prospering. Most Ethiopians in Addis and throughout the country are
exceedingly poor. There are many people
who are homeless, crippled and infirm. There are many beggars. Most of the time
you may feel overwhelmed by the poverty; that is exactly the reason you are
so badly needed in Ethiopia, to help the people to help themselves alleviate
their poverty. When you get out into the country side, you will be working hard
to improve the lives of villagers. These villagers have even less than the
poor you encounter in Addis.
Selected Facts About Ethiopia: (Taken from the Washington DC Embassy Web Site)
Language:
Amharic (official), Oromiffa, Tigrigna, Somaligna, Sidamgna, Wolaitigna, Afarigna, Hadiyigna (among 80 other languages spoken)Literacy Rate: 32.7%
Religion:
The religions in Ethiopia are predominantly Ethiopian Orthodox (or Monophysite Christianity) and Islam.Agriculture:
Ethiopia is a predominantly agricultural country with over 80 percent of its population farming on about 15 - 20 percent of the arable landClimate:
Lying between the Equator and the Tropic of cancer, Ethiopia's seasons are reversed: spring begins in September; summer runs from January to the middle of March. The first rainy season lasts from February to April; a more substantial rainy season lasts from June to September. The average rainfall between June and August is 39 inches, while the northeast and eastern plains receive less than 19 inches, often experiencing drought. The average rainfall in Addis Ababa is 49 inches.The major portion of the country consists of a high plateau, which gives Ethiopia its mild, sunny climate. There are months of guaranteed sunshine, yet the altitude keeps the climate pleasant with upland temperatures rarely rising above 77 degrees Fahrenheit nor falling below 45 degrees. In Addis, the average temperature remains a consistent 59 Degrees throughout the year.
For More Information About Ethiopia:
Embassy of Ethiopia
3506 International Dr. NW Washington, DC 20008
Tel (202)364-1200Web Site: www.ethiopianembassy.org
