Ethiopian-Americans for Change is in the planning stages of putting together a Free Clinic in Alexandria , Virginia. Health care was one of the major concerns cited by those in our community; this is our effort to act according to your needs and to listen to your voice. Moreover, we also believe passionately that having an affordable health care is a right that should be enjoyed not only by the well to do, but by those who work day in and day out to keep up with their bills and yet cannot afford to purchase health care.

However, this program will not be possible if…

by Teddy Fikre

Thursday , November 16, 2009

Stop!

Before you go on reading this, please take a moment to Google “Ethiopian Child” and then click on the “Images” tab.

I will give you one minute….

This is the image of Ethiopian children. This is the image of Ethiopians to the world. A deprived and desolate country, a country without hope, a country without

Wednesday 25, 2009

by Sehin Belew

Since Thanksgiving is around the corner, I thought I would discuss a relevant topic and give you practical tips on how to avoid holiday weight gain. This past Saturday night, I happened to be at Stanford’s Big Game where they played Cal. Stanford’s new and beautiful stadium seats 55,000 people and it seemed like there was not an empty seat in site. Hundreds and hundreds of people have come a couple of days prior to the game to tailgate outside the stadium and have family picnics.

When I was walking around, I couldn’t help but …

Tuesday 24, 2009

by Liya Endale

I left Ethiopia at the tender age of one. Since then I’ve lived in The Netherlands and various cities in the U.S. For the longest time, I wanted to find ‘my people’. We lived in places like College Station, Texas and Bogart, Georgia. Needless to say, my family always comprised the Ethiopian population. In my mind, I always imagined a blithe reunion with sappy orchestra music playing in the background, running into the arms of a faceless countryman/countrywoman who represented home….

Hebret.

I love this word. However, as an Ethiopian who lived the overwhelming majority of my life in America, I did not understand that this word has been tainted due to the origins of a propaganda campaign back in Ethiopia. Ironically, this word represents the very essence of a regime that forced my family to immigrate to America back in 1983 at the age of seven. This very word—Hebret—is a word that represented the suffering of countless many and the reason why Ethiopians are the second largest community of immigrants from Africa. But still….

Hebret.

The word, irrespective of history…

By Liya Endale

Monday, November 16, 2009

I must have been 21 when I first sensed the peculiarity of the context in which we normally find the word ‘ferenj’. Growing-up in the States, I heard this term used when talking about the strange encounters associated with adapting to a new environment. Due to the redundant insistence of its use, I grew to accept its oxymoronic connotation; the same way we do not question jumbo shrimp, civil war, and bad luck. We re-apply a meaning to these words which have nothing to do with their literal translation. You know what I’m talking about. “Ye ferenj tata aytawekim”, “ye ferenj libs, migib, segur ina qwanqwa”.

Read full article….

This was a week for honoring the extraordinary service and profound sacrifice of our men and women in uniform.

Every fall, we set aside a special day to pay tribute to our veterans. But this year, Veteran’s Day took on even greater poignancy and meaning because of the tragic events at Fort Hood.

Initiative Would Transform Federal Government into Model of Veterans Employment

Washington, DC – Today, the White House announced the launch of an initiative that is designed to transform the federal government into the model employer of America’s veterans. This evening, President Obama will be joined by Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki, Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis, Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano and Office of Personnel Management Director John Berry to sign an Executive Order on the Employment of Veterans in the federal government, which establishes the Veterans Employment Initiative for the Executive Branch. The Initiative underscores to federal agencies the importance of recruiting and training veterans, aims to increase the employment of veterans within the Executive Branch, and helps recently hired veterans adjust to service in a civilian capacity.

STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT

ON HOUSE PASSAGE OF HEALTH INSURANCE REFORM LEGISLATION

Rose Garden

A Stunning Turnaround
How Ethiopian-Americans for Change efforts led to a surge in support for Deeds
by EA4C Staff Writer
Thursday, November 5th, 2009
Creigh Deeds and the Democratic ticket suffered a sweeping defeat, turning what Obama turned into a “Blue State” back into the red column of the Republican Party.  The loss suffered by the Democrats was stunning [...]