click to go to Sidamo

Based on the title, I know what you are thinking.  Here he goes again on his “soap box” talking about Ethiopians who sip buna right?  Well today, I am going to throw you a curve ball.  In this article, I will do no such thing; I write today not out of frustration, I write today out of a place of hope.

So now you are asking yourself, “OK, so what’s up with the title of the article”.  Well I speak of Buna today because I have done my fair share of criticizing some in our community of being “buna sippers”.  And this statement has been taken out of context and perceived by some as defaming people who enjoy a cup of buna.  So first and foremost, let me admit, I am a big “buna sipper” myself.  There is nothing more I enjoy in the morning than a cup of steaming hot coffee and enjoying it as I read the Washington Post, and no not the dot com the real live newspaper.

So lest you think I am blasting people for enjoying a beverage that was discovered in Ethiopia—and happens to be the number one commodity that we export—I am here to say that is the furthest thing from my mind.  But the defense of my past articles will be left for another day, or maybe no need to defend it at all.  Today, as I am currently sipping some buna at my laptop as I write this article, I am writing about buna precisely because that is one way for our community to be empowered.

At this point you are probably thinking “Yo Teddy, maybe switch to Decaf or some green tea, clearly the coffee has gone to your head”.  Well let me explain how buna can lead to the economic development of Ethiopia and empower our community in the United States.  As I stated before, buna is the number one commodity that Ethiopia exports—although there are dubious claims that some other “commodity’ is actually the number one export.   So for the sake of this argument, let us say that buna is Ethiopia’s number one export.  In fact, 46.3% of Ethiopia’s economy is based on export of agricultural products—coffee being the leading commodity.

Good news right?  Not really.  How so?  Well Ethiopia exports coffee beans as a raw product.  Thus, Ethiopia gets pennies on the dollar for every mega ton of raw coffee beans that she exports.  By the time the coffee beans hits the markets around the world and becomes a finished product, the value of that coffee is increased a thousand fold.  Thus, corporations around the world are benefiting from Ethiopia being an exporter of unfinished goods.

Now imagine if an Ethiopian company, owned by an Ethiopian woman, was instead to own a coffee farm in Ethiopia.  Imagine if this person paid her workers handsomely, and then exported the coffee beans not as an unfinished good, but to her warehouse in the United States, France, Italy, Japan, etc.  She brands and markets this coffee as let’s say “Sidamo Coffee”.  She gets commercials on TV stations in the west, instead of good to the last drop, the motto is “good to the last cini”.  The coffee is organic, and the label says “made in Ethiopia by Ethiopians” and targets conscience driven consumers in the west as her customers.  So instead of buying Folgers coffee for $4.99, she is able to sell this coffee for a dollar more.

Imagine on top of that the over 400,000 Ethiopians who live in the United States buying this coffee instead of Sanka.  Imagine she sells this coffee to Starbucks not as raw product but a finished good.  This business woman would be a millionaire, and her coffee company could be listed on Forbes 500.  And as the company grows, more and more Ethiopians would be employed, lifting Ethiopia’s GDP from 73^rd to 45^th in the world.  Ethiopia undergoes an economic transformation, and this influx of capital leads other companies to invest money in Ethiopia, and inspires more Ethiopians to follow the same model.  An Ethiopian man in Wollo decides to emulate the same model and starts to export finished sugar canes.  Eventually, Ethiopia becomes the Japan of Africa, which leads to the transformation of Ethiopia from a donor state to a economic powerhouse.  And you thought the buna you were sipping was strong aydel?

It is with this in mind that I will mention a coffee shop that was recently opened in Washington DC.  The name of the establishment is Sidamo Coffee and Tea, they are located 417 H St. NE Washington DC.  They opened up to a lot of fan fare, and business is doing great, but what business could not use more customers.  Now as a buna sipper myself, I have been guilty of not once going there to support my own brothers and sisters.  I always go to Starbucks to purchase my buna, well recently more like 7-11—this economy is though on all of us.  But what if I, as a buna aficionado, decided to purchase my coffee at least once a week from Sidamo Coffee and Tea instead?  What if the thousands of Ethiopians who live in the DC Metro area followed suit, thus Sidamo Coffee and Tea would literally be packed every week.

What would that mean?  Sidamo Coffee and Tea would have to expand to keep up with demand.  They open up another location in DC, one in Maryland, one in Virginia.  Because of this expansion, I would now be able to go 2 miles up the street to purchase my coffee, so I increase my patronage from once a week to once a day.  This continued reinvestment enables Sidamo Coffee and Tea to keep expanding, they hire more Ethiopians, maybe they open up another café in Ethiopia.  Maybe Sidamo Coffee and Tea becomes the exporter of finished coffee beans.  Maybe Sidamo Coffee decides to start selling Sidamo coffee in Safeway and Giant.  Maybe, just maybe, Sidamo becomes the hypothetical coffee company that leads to the transformation of Ethiopia.  All this from a sip of buna, I’ll drink to that.

click to see menu

Show your support, if the weather clears up by Sunday and the roads are driveable, I plan on going to Sidamo Coffee and Tea tomorrow, Sunday, February 7th, to get my morning cup of coffee.  Let’s pack the place and show our Hebret by enjoying a cup of buna together.  Meet me there tomorrow at 10:00 AM for buna or tea.

Sidamo Coffee and Tea

Location:  417 H St. NE, Washington DC

Buna Date:  Sunday, February 6th
Buna Time:  10:00 AM EST

Disclaimer, I do not know the owners of Sidamo Coffee and Tea.  I write this article without their knowledge nor am I being compensated finically for doing so.

This blog submission was written by Teddy Fikre.  The views of guest bloggers are not the views of Ethiopian-Americans for Change.  Guest bloggers represent the broad dissection of views and outlooks within our community.

click to see profile

Every once in a while, I come across a submission that raises the bumps on my arms as my mind wraps around the message of its writer. A young Ethiopian writer who grew up in the United States or Canada like I did. A writer whose calling is so loud it screams from the words on my screen, illuminated from behind by the bright, eternal white that seems to stretch into the computer and into another parallel universe; one where we never left home and we learned to cook doro wut and drive a stick shift at a young age. What gave this person the courage to follow their fingers on a keyboard instead of the warnings of a community who believes success is measured by the number of letters that come after your name, M.d, PhD, M.Ed.

For those who do not know, my sister and I are publishing a book together about perspectives on identity by the young Ethiopian/Eritrean Diaspora. We have been collecting submissions from Ethiopians and Eritreans in the United States and Canada for a little over six months now. You have sent us your poetry, photographs, and essays based the joys, pains and comic relief that come with being this special generation of young East Africans in the United States. As we assemble our review team, I have the pleasure of organizing all of our submissions, which entails reading them over and over. Each time I do, I get it. All over again. I get why we started this project in the first place.

Lately, I’ve been thinking about all of us who are in medical school, engineers, and small business owners. Certainly, to accomplish such challenging tasks such as these deserves accolades.  Beyond these kudos, I wonder how many of us have missed another calling because of the pressure we put on ourselves to conform to the definition of success composed by our community. The social sciences are a nonentity in our society but they play such a large part of the American life; perhaps because devoting one’s life’s studies to psychology, sociology, religion, writing or philosophy is a privilege reserved for those who live in the most advantaged sectors of the human population. But that is exactly what we are doing here in this country.

Life can be hard anywhere, but here we see commercials for air filters for clean air and motion sensors for electronic air fresheners. While this kind of environment has its pros and cons, I think our responsibility as citizens born out of the sacrifices of our parents is to take advantage of the pros and change this world for the better using the gifts we were carried into this world. Writing can change hearts and lives; especially in a place where people with all the food they can eat, a house with rooms they don’t even venture into anymore, and more cars than they have asses to put in the drivers’ seats are depressed. They are reaching out for substance that is not tangible. And when I read these submissions, I see that some of us have it.

In one of my favorite movies, The Golden Child, Eddie Murphy is given the task of retrieving a magic dagger which is needed to defeat the devil and is located at the end of a treacherous obstacle course which no one has survived. His instructions are to stay on ‘the path’. However, when the path leads him to a bridge which explodes before him, he yells out, “I thought I was supposed to stay on the path!” And a voice responds by saying, “But you must also know when to break the rules.” We are a generation which is very good at following rules. I wonder what would happen if we all followed our gifts as diligently.

This blog submission was written by Liya Endale.  The views of guest bloggers are not the views of Ethiopian-Americans for Change.  Guest bloggers represent the broad dissection of views and outlooks within our community.

Life has a propensity to mold and transform us. There are more things which change in our lives than constants. Facebook has recently evolved into a new behemoth to me. I admit, its sudden take-over of this globe gives me great apprehension. It’s potentially an unchecked baby monster… like a gremlin before it touches water at midnight, or eats a cupcake in a full moon, or whatever it was they had to do to change into those relentless little devils. I will not delineate the mundane details of the possibilities I conjure up in my head… but just picture- hideous uniforms, bad ID pictures tattooed on foreheads and tomato wars on leap years… I know. Terrifying.

Perhaps I am externalizing an internal phenomenon. It may be that I am the one morphing into a new person and that I am using facebook as an agent of expression. When I first opened my account in 2005, I was still a senior in college. I had my life under tight control and knew exactly where I was going, who I needed, and who my friends were. (hahahahahaah.. .eh hem). Facebook was just a toy, not a tool. I would write my most outrageous thoughts and ideas out for my friendsto see. My friends list consisted of the semi-slackers that made up my social circles; those who were smart enough to succeed but used their wit more for entertainment than to plan and work through life. Today is a different day. First of all, the political and economic state of our country has jolted us Americans into a reality check; this lap of luxury was a much more precarious state than we were led to believe. As I’ve grown more aware of my surroundings, I’ve become more involved in publicly discussed ideas of more substance. But what really put the icing on the cake was when I saw a fan-club for my uncle in Ethiopia. Then, two of my other uncles and 2 aunts sent me friend requests. Whaaaa?! The world really IS on facebook now! I began to wonder who these 1,050 supposed friends of mine really were- and how many of them ‘facebook spy’ like I …eh hem… never do.

I accepted all of these friends but also did a full makeover of my entire account that took days. I had to change the WTF’s to ‘What in the World’s’ and substitute other colorful language with more intelligent speak. I couldn’t leave status updates about lude things such as farts on the elevator anymore. I couldn’t leave what I thought were hilarious comments on my friends’ pages about matters we shall not mention here… essentially- facebook forced me to grown up! I realize facebook is not for you and your friends anymore. It’s for the whole world.

I realize that the maturation of a soul comes with certain sacrifices. I’ll have to find other avenues to truly express my world-views now. In the mean time, I’ll keep editing my profile and refuse to take a picture in public with a martini in my hand.

This blog submission was written by Liya Endale.  The views of guest bloggers are not the views of Ethiopian-Americans for Change.  Guest bloggers represent the broad dissection of views and outlooks within our community.

Written by Sehin Belew (EA4C Guest Blogger)

Ethiopia is one of the most stunning places on earth. Our motto is “13 Months of Sunshine” because of its wonderful, sunny climate–even during the couple of months during the rainy season. Travelers marvel at the incredible greenery, majestic mountains, and—most of all—Ethiopia’s beautiful people. Ethiopia’s existence dates back almost 3,000 years. Here, in fact, is where the legendary skeleton of Lucy was discovered. She is evidence of one of the earliest traces of our hominid ancestors—she is slightly older than 3.2 million years old.

However, more than anything else, the beauty of Ethiopia is our culture. If any culture has grasped the fact that life is short, Ethiopia certainly belongs in the top tier of candidates. Growing up, I could never understand why, when someone came to our house, even unannounced, my mom would drop whatever she was doing and invite the person in. It did not matter what time of day it was; she would offer the visiting individual a meal. She would sit down and share, laugh, and cry with the “uninvited” guest. I witnessed this throughout all the years I was growing up. My mom, through her actions, taught my siblings and me that life is all about sharing what you have with others–even when you have the least of which to share.

When I went to Ethiopia to work as a volunteer at famine relief camps, I saw this graciousness with even more clarity. Each day, the volunteers would give the local people a small can of protein-fortified flour so they could bake bread or make porridge to eat at home. This was their daily ration for the whole family! The volunteers, on the other hand, had more than sufficient food. And yet, there were times when the locals would invite us to share their “ration” knowing that we could eat to our content elsewhere. To me, that was the ultimate sign of generosity and hospitality.

When I saw the Mystery of the Nile, a film produced by IMAX theatres few years back, I was awestruck by the beauty of Ethiopia and her people. Just this week, on December 9th, CNN’s Budget Travel segment featured Ethiopia as being the place to go to on vacation. Evidently, we come from a country that is deeply admired and has a profound and rich history and culture to match. If you have not visited Ethiopia or have not returned for a long while, you will be struck by the beauty of Ethiopia and her people.

I live in Northern California, Silicon Valley, where people move at 400 miles an hour. It is a different environment than the one I witnessed growing up in Ethiopia. However, having an Ethiopian upbringing has enabled me to slow down and smell the roses. My background has truly given me a peaceful balance. Today, no matter how much money there is to be made, I try to keep everything in stride.

I make sure that I have time first for God, second for myself, and third for family and friends before I commit myself to anything else. I want to make sure that I don’t let the wont of money or financial gain overtake my need for spiritual fulfillment nor rob me of the relationships that I cherish. I ensure that I take time each day to cook healthy food, workout, get enough rest and have time for family and friends. At the end of the day, what is most important is not my financial portfolio; instead, my health, my relationship with God, and my family and friends are the core of my essence. I found that I am at my happiest when these things are in synch; no amount of money can supplant this happiness.

Early this year, my aunt passed away at the age of 94. During this time of sorrow, I have noticed that the Ethiopians in this younger generation—who adapt to the fast-paced western lifestyle—are suffering from fatal diseases at a much younger age. I am talking about heart attack, high-blood pressure, and diabetes to name but a few ailments. Though the world around you seems to be running non-stop, you don’t have to follow in the same frantic pace. Take time to enjoy each day; a day is the only asset that you can’t recoup. So, as you make goals and resolutions for 2010, I do hope that you will keep this mantra into consideration—Carpe Diem, seize the day!

Happy holidays and may it be a happy and a blessed one for you and your loved ones!

Sehin was born and raised in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. She lived through political upheaval and famine in that country before embarking on a two-year journey of volunteerism, helping victims in remote famine relief camps, then finally settling in the United States to attend college. In 1988 she was crowned Miss Ethiopia. Sehin lives in northern California and runs her own business.

Her company, “Sehin Belew,” provides image and style consultations as well as seminars on how to look Fabulous for Less. She’s been on more than two dozens television, radio, magazine and newspapers to discuss her new book, Fabulous for Less, Former Miss Ethiopia’s Smart Guide to Beauty, Health, and Fashion (Annotation Press, 2008). You can read more about Sehin at www.sehinbelew.com

The views of guest bloggers are not the views of Ethiopian-Americans for Change. Guest bloggers represent the broad dissection of views and outlooks within our community. Please remember to cite source or link story back to EA4C.org for news aggregators that pick this article up.

by Teddy Fikre (EA4C.org)

Want to hear a joke?  An Ethiopian couple drive by a car that is in the ditch, and the husband says to the wife, honey, call 911!  At which point, she says *mts*  Thus the joke, what is the Ethiopian 911? *mts*  Make that sound effect and you will hear what I am talking about.  At this point, you either laughed, or you got upset, either way, this little joke evoked an emotion in you.  Why?  Is it because it is true, because our concept of helping someone in need is to in fact say *mts*?  They say behind every joke, there is a kernel of truth aydel?  Now let me go on to why I talked about this joke, and why I am writing this article.

It’s Saturday, December 5^th, 2009.  It’s a beautiful late autumn day, you are trying to decide what you want to do.  Do you want to go hang out at the mall to do some Christmas shopping?  Do you want to go to your local Starbucks to drink some buna and talk about politics or sports with your friends?  Are you looking forward to going out to a club later on that night, drink some Johnny Walker, and eskesta your troubles away?  While you are thinking of what to get  into for the day, have you thought for a second about home?

Home?

No not the one you live in now, I am talking about the one you left behind . I am talking our home, our land of birth—I’m talking about Ethiopia.  At this point, you are probably telling yourself, of course I think of home, I think of home all the time!  I think of home when I am talking with my friends about politics while drinking some buna at Starbucks.  I think of home when I am eating some injera at my favorite Ethiopian restaurant.  I think of home when I am doing eskista or listening to my favorite Tilahun song.

Really?

Now before I go on further, this is not meant to put all folks in the same boat.  There are countless thousands of Ethiopians who sacrifice daily to make a difference in the lives of people back in Ethiopia.  Countless others send money to loved ones back home; in fact, one of Ethiopia’s biggest source of finance is money that is sent back to Ethiopia by Ethiopians living in America.  However, the sad truth is that for every person that does, there are a hundred who do nothing but talk.

Meanwhile, Ethiopia continues to languish, devastated by HIV/AIDS, poverty, malnutrition and the lack of the basic tenants of hope.  By some estimates, there are over 500,000 Ethiopians who live in the United States—FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND!  Imagine if only 10% of Ethiopians who live in the United States contributed $20 to a cause instead of spending that $20 on “Yohannes Arimadge”.  That would be 50,000 Ethiopians contributing $20, that would be $1,000,000 raised in one day.  Can you imagine the change that would make to the lives of impoverished children in Ethiopia.

Do you know that the number one source of donations that goes to Ethiopia comes from non-Ethiopians?  Organizations such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Oprah, USAID, and countless NGOs spend millions of dollars in Ethiopia and Africa at large to give hope to those that have the least hope.  It is great that these organizations do this on a yearly basis, but as the saying goes, give a man a fish and he will eat for a day, teach him how to fish and he will eat forever.  So how much longer does Ethiopia have to beg for fish, why can’t we do for ourselves and start learning how to fish and teach others along way to fish and give them access to a rod so they too can eat forever.

On my first article about Artists for Charity, I tried quoting the bible to inspire people to give.  Then my second article, I talked about Hebret to motivate our own to work for our own.  Then on my last article, I even tried to use pictures of Ethiopian children from google to guilt people into donating.  Over 10,000 people read those articles, that is TEN THOUSAND PEOPLE.  And at the end of each article, there was a link at the bottom of the article that asked people to donate to Artists for Charity.  So out of 10,000 people, do you know how many people donated to Artists for Charity, a 501 (3) C non-profit organization that is dedicated to providing care for double-orphaned children who themselves have HIV/AIDS?

No really, take a guess.  You are thinking maybe 100 people donated, if you are really hopeful, you are thinking 1,000 people donated.  Let me give you the answer, try closer to 0—that would be ZERO.  How is that possible, how is it possible that you read the article, you forward the article to hundreds of your friends, you might even talk about Artists for Charity over buna, and yet—ZERO.  I have been told by some that I am screaming at a wall, that I have to be happy with even one donation, because “it takes a while for our people to warm up”.

I refuse to believe that, Ethiopians across America “warmed up” to Barack Obama and gave money generously to the campaign.  In fact, over $300,000 was donated to the Obama campaign from the Ethiopian community.  And countless others worked arduously to get Obama elected.  And every day, there are people who march for freedom, who protest against this cause or the other, and who sip buna and bemoan the state of Ethiopia.  Yet, the most simple effective thing you can do is to stop talking and start acting.

So I ask you again, what are you doing Saturday, December 5^th.  Are you really going to go shopping?  Are you really going to sip buna at Starbucks?  Are you really going to drink some Johnny Walker and eskesta (dance) your troubles away?  Let me give you an alternate idea, how about you come out to the Artists for Charity fundraiser.

[click on pic to go to AFC Website]

Venue: WVSA’s Articulate Gallery

Address:  1100 16^th St. Washington DC

Time:7:00 PM through 11:00 PM.

There will be a live performance by Maritu Legesse, an art show, food and drinks.  Along the way, you will get a chance to hear about the wonderful work that Artists for Charity does back in Ethiopia and even get to meet a couple of the kids from the AFC Children’s Home in Ethiopia.

So I continue to “scream at the wall”.  I am asking you, if you are reading this article, do not forward this email unless you are either planning to come out to the AFC event on Saturday or plan on donating some money to this amazing organization.  I might sound a bit frustrated, but in the end, I know that one day we will come together as a people and do right by our country, do right by our home.  So I ask you to give abiding Charity to Artists for Charity.

After all, Charity Starts at home.

This blog submission was written by Teddy Fikre , an organizer with Ethiopian-Americans for Change and a guest blogger.  Teddy is an avid supporter and a believer in the vision of Artists for Charity and any other organization that strives to make a change in Ethiopia.  The views of guest bloggers are not the views of Ethiopian-Americans for Change.  Guest bloggers represent the broad dissection of views and outlooks within our community.

by Liya Endale (EA4C.org)

Click on Pic

One of the exciting things to look forward to when entering a new culture is acquainting oneself with a whole set of new holidays. Thanksgiving, Halloween, Valentine’s day, and April Fools. I remember learning how to celebrate these events and taking a few years to ‘get it right’.

A close friend of mine who was born in Eritrea, lived in Kenya and then migrated to the U.S. told me about his first Halloween in the States. He did not believe his friends when they told him that everyone would dress-up as someone else and ask the neighbors for candy. First, if neighbors were actually willing to oblige to give the naughty kids anything where he came from, it would have been a whipping to the backside. He even thought that dressing as someone else may have served as a means of disguise to save one’s family from shame. He hesitantly followed his friends in his jeans and sneakers with a plastic Kroger’s bag as they approached the first house. They rang the doorbell and he told me he remembered feeling very anxious, so he stepped back about 15 feet, ready to run out of site. “I don’t know about this.” He told them, “In Nairobi people get killed over things like this.”

I have also heard stories about April Fool’s day emerging in Ethiopia. Humor is a fickle thing, a shape-changer which reflects the history of the place in which it is found. I have always recited my mantra that there is a fine line between comedy and tragedy, but even the joke I heard played on some friends back home made me say, “Oh, that’s just messed up.” Instead of the light-hearted, low-stake banter we grow accustomed to in the States, a friend of mine, who did not know about April Fool’s Day, was told that her son was hit by a car and killed on his way to school that morning. Only after the wailing in the street was she told that it was a joke for April Fool’s Day, a ferenj holiday. I don’t know how that humor was accepted in that community, but in the States this type of blurring between tragedy and comedy is lost for the most part.

Thanksgiving, however, is a different story. As an immigrant outside of the traditional, passive acceptance of American culture, I tried to understand this holiday literally. After being cast as a pilgrim in the class play, I remember asking my second grade teacher, “So Thanksgiving is about how the Native Americans helped us pilgrims by showing us how to grow food and stay warm?”

“Very good, Liya.” She replied.

“But don’t we kill them all after that instead of giving them thanks?”

Another stumped teacher who convinced me that my genuine curiosity was a show of insolence which brought me shame. To this day I have not reconciled this paradox which I add to my ever-growing list of “stuff that just don’t make sense”. I have, however, learned that tradition is a means of turning some unrelated or partially-related event in history into something positive. Though Thanksgiving is based on the controversial founding of this country, today it serves to bring families together and nurture a positive attitude about life.

Every year, I see how people change their attitudes and remind one another of all of the blessings each can be grateful for. For me, my family is my greatest blessing. And instead of being reminded to be thankful for this blessing every year, this holiday reminds me that the reason they are so wonderful is that every day is like Thanksgiving in our house. My sister and I were brought up learning to be grateful as a way of life. Encouragement and positive thinking is the norm. To us, Thanksgiving is just the one holiday we celebrate where we break from the traditional doro wut, tibs, alicha, gomen and injera. After several attempts, my mother found a Thanksgiving menu which worked and consisted of chicken, green-bean casserole, rolls, sweet potato soufflé, mashed potatoes, stuffing and cranberry sauce. Since she discovered this tasty feast in 1997, she has prepared it every year since. Bless her heart.

So, though I can appreciate that a tragic event can turn into a positive tradition hundreds of years later, I am not convinced that we need to base positivity on any event in particular. My friend, Matt, always jokingly cries out saying “I am so happy to be in zis cun-ti-reeee”. But, honestly, I realize the sacrifices which were made for me to be where I am every day. Having a thankful heart does not mean you must sit at a dining-room table and list things you are grateful for. A thankful heart is one which always strives to make a difference in this world, to succeed, and to spread positive energy. This way, the sacrifices which were made for us are not squandered. A ‘thanks’ every once in a while is important. But the meat of this thanks is in our daily actions.

Liya Endale

This blog submission was written by Liya Endale.  The views of guest bloggers are not the views of Ethiopian-Americans for Change.  Guest bloggers represent the broad dissection of views and outlooks within our community.

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 we don’t have the support of our community.  Specifically, we are requesting that between 10-20 doctors volunteer one day to take part in this event.  There are hundreds of Ethiopian doctors who reside in the Northern Virginia area,  this is our chance to truly work together to deliver a service to those who need it the most in this season of giving.  And you don’t have to be an Ethiopian doctor to take part in this event, you just have to be a doctor who wants to make a difference.

This email is more aspiration than it is concrete.  The various components to make this more than an aspiration have already been planned, however, we cannot take the next requisite steps without getting doctors who are willing to volunteer.  What we are looking for are doctors who are able to provide a general checkup to check on people’s cholesterol level, blood pressure, and the like—to give a general physical checkup.  Each doctor will have their own stations and people will be sent to various stations for their checkup as they are processed.  Since this event is free to the general public, all doctors who participate will do so on a pro bono basis.

So if you a doctor and love the thought of helping those less fortunate during this holiday season, please email us at info@ea4c.org.  If you know of a doctor who fits this mold, please forward this email to him/her and ask her to take part in this event.  Let us provide—even if it is for one day—what we take for granted, let us provide a day of free health care.

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.

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 a future. I’m sure you did not enjoy the “mental picture” you were treated to.

The point of this article is not to validate the stereotype that all there is in Ethiopia is deprivation, desolation, and despair.  Ethiopia has a rich history, and while there are a lot of Ethiopians both in Ethiopia and abroad accomplishing great things, for too many of her children the future is bleak indeed. We cannot deny the truth behind these images.

These are the facts:

1. As of 2007, there are over 980,000 Ethiopians who live with HIV/AIDS (source http://hivinsite.ucsf. edu/global?page=cr09-et-00)

2. There are over 92,000 children who currently have HIV/AIDS
(source http://hivinsite. ucsf.edu/global?page=cr09-et- 00)

3. In 2007, 67,000 Ethiopians died as a direct result of HIV/AIDS
(source http://hivinsite. ucsf.edu/global?page=cr09-et- 00)

4. 2.1% of all Ethiopians in Ethiopia currently have HIV/AIDS

(sourcehttp://hivinsite.ucsf. edu/global?page=cr09-et-00) for comparison, the HIV/AIDS rate in the United States is .0122

This is the image of Ethiopia, the image of Ethiopian children. We can pretend these hard truths don’t exist, but that does not obviate the facts. The crisis is real, and it is fueled by a widespread lack of information and the dearth of basic health care. Shall we let 11,500 miles and an ocean comfort us in knowing that we are not there, that our own lives are not impacted by this crisis?

The real question that begs to be asked is “what now, what do we do about it”? The answer–through one incremental and strenuous step at a time–we can make a change. A mountain is not scaled in one day; consequently, HIV/AIDS will not be eliminated overnight, either. There are thousands upon thousands of Ethiopian children who have been orphaned at the menacing hand of HIV/AIDS. Many of them are not only parent-less, but are infected with HIV/AIDS themselves.

Artists for Charity (AFC) is taking this small step towards scaling this overwhelming mountain. AFC is a non-profit 501 (3) C organization that is dedicated to providing financial support to the Artists for Charity Children’s home in Addis Ababa Ethiopia. The children who reside in the AFC Children’s Home are HIV-positive double-orphans. By giving these children a safe place to stay, clothing, meals and complete medical care—including ARV therapy, education, mental health services and an outlet through the wonders of art—AFC provides hope to those who seem the most hopeless.

AFC’s aim is not to reach the mountain top, but to take simple steps together, and make a change in one, two, or 20 children’s lives.  So I ask you—today—to take a step with AFC. I am sure AFC will appreciate your involvement and investment in their organization, but I am asking you today to take one more step. Please donate, even just $1.00, and collectively we can make a profound difference in a child’s future. The dollar we each give today can give hope to children who, without us, might have nothing to hope for.

This is a clarion call to action.  This is a time of giving and a time to count our blessings.  No matter how rough the recession is, no matte how empty our wallets might seem, we have to always remember that our station in life is that of kings and queens compared to the hardships many around the world suffer. As you head out to the malls on Black Friday to give to those who have plenty already, keep in mind to give to those who have the least amongst us.

So, if you want to change the image of Ethiopia, if you want to google “Ethiopian children” and see more than deprivation, desolation, and despair, you can take a small step towards the mountain top by simply taking one step, and taking it now.

Stop!

Now Imagine Ethiopian Children again…

Artists for Charity is having a fund raising banquet on Saturday, December 5th.   Come out and take part in an event that features a “taste of Ethiopia” theme with exquisite Ethiopian cuisine, traditional music, and a coffee ceremony that is unlike any that you have seen at your local barista.  Along the way, you will hear some amazing stories about the children your money is supporting in Ethiopia and get to meet two of the children who are here in the United States.

This blog submission was written by Teddy Fikre , an organizer with Ethiopian-Americans for Change and a guest blogger.  Teddy is an avid supporter and a believer in the vision of Artists for Charity and any other organization that strives to make a change in Ethiopia.  The views of guest bloggers are not the views of Ethiopian-Americans for Change.  Guest bloggers represent the broad dissection of views and outlooks within our community.

Sehin Belew

Wednesday 25, 2009

by Sehin Belew

EA4C Guest Blogger

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 notice the amount of indulgence. Though I live in California, where health is emphasized, I was amazed with what I saw. Why is it that when people try to have a good time, there has to be indulgence of some sort? Some of these people were overweight to start with. To add insult to injury, they were drinking alcohol, smoking cigars, and eating foods that were like prescriptions for heart attack.

I actually felt sorry for their hearts. Their hearts have been pumping with no break since the day they were conceived. Now, with their extra weight, alcohol and cigars, they are literally encumbering their hearts to no end and shortening their lives.

Here are a few tips that I hope will help you enjoy this holiday season sensibly:

1. Get a scale- It is really important to monitor your weight on a daily basis so you will effectively gauge what foods help or hinder your weight management.
2. The calorie book- Don’t just guess how many calories you are consuming each day; find out how many calories each portion of what you eat contains. And make sure you know how much fat and carbohydrates you’re consuming. Eating food without checking out the calorie or fat content is like going to the store and giving your credit card without checking the price tag. You can be in serious trouble especially if you are at Neiman Marcus or Tiffany & Co.
3. Dear Journal- A lot of us turn to food when things are not going well. And it is not unusual to reach for goodies even when life is great. By truly examining how and why and when you eat, you can begin to turn bad habits into good ones.
4. Picture this- This Thanksgiving season, why don’t you put in display a picture of you that you took at your ideal weight. Having a daily visual reminder of what you used to look like—and can look like again—is a powerful “diet” tool!
5. What’s in your diet? It’s time to clean house—at least of all those tempting foods filled with empty calories that will do nothing but stop you from losing weight. Why spend your hard-earned money on food that is not good for your health or looks in the first place? Decide what foods are good for you and will either help you slim down or maintain your desired weight. Keep only those items in the kitchen and pantry, because if you reach for whatever is available but not beneficial when you are hungry, it will only set you back.
6. Monitor your meals- Eating three meals a day is essential, as is having them at scheduled times so that your stomach can anticipate being filled at regular intervals. Don’t skip, because then you will probably eat a larger next meal than you would otherwise.
7. Diet the GPS way- When it comes to dieting and exercise, it’s helpful to think about a Global Positioning System (GPS). After all, the GPS will try to get you to your destination even when you failed to follow the instructions. If you wind up off-course, does the GPS ridicule the wrong input? No, it will simply try to get you back on track the most direct way. You need to do the same thing when you are attempting to manage your weight.
8. Moderation, not deprivation- To me the secret of successful diet is moderation, while failure is deprivation. That is my biggest tip for staying my size. I start by completely avoiding unhealthy food. That is no problem because I respect my body and love life too much not to. I do not abstain completely from foods that are sweet or that contain fat; I simply make sure their ingredients are wholesome and limit my portions.
9. Go organic- Not long ago I overheard a co-worker calling her spouse and asking, “Honey, I’m coming home, would you like me to get something from McDonald’s?” This colleague drives a brand-new Mercedes Benz, which takes premium gasoline. I asked myself, how can she give her car the best fuel and yet fee her body—a much more valuable machine—the cheapest thing around. When I tell people that I shop at Whole Foods Market, known for its natural and organic foods, I constantly hear, “But that is so expensive!” These are people who spend all kinds of money on cars and clothes, but want bargain prices when it comes to the things that actually enhance their health. Your health is so much more important than what you drive or wear. Does it not make sense to spare no expense on its most basic upkeep? After all, it is a lot easier to take care of your health than to try to recover from an illness.
10. Full of flavor- When it comes to making Ethiopian food, which requires plenty of patience—and a lot of sautéing—my mom is one of the best cooks I know. I am still impressed at how she always chooses the best ingredients then prepares these healthy and delicious dishes with utmost care. One of the best lessons she ever taught me was that if you want good food, you must take the time to plan the menu, buy top-notch ingredients and cook everything properly. Our bodies deserve nothing less.
11. Good fats, bad fats- Avoid foods containing hydrogenated oils at all costs. These harmful fats clog your arteries and contribute to heart disease. Unfortunately, many packaged products such as crackers, cookies, and candies still contain these harmful ingredients. Whole Foods Market stock only products that are free of hydrogenated fats.
12. Go natural- If you prefer to shop at non-health food stores, please take the time to read all labels carefully. You want to make sure the products you buy are the healthiest possible. Avoid anything that uses artificial preservatives or colors. Whenever possible, purchase organic, even if it is more expensive. You will end up with savings in the long run as far as your overall health is concerned. Your body has a tougher time getting rid of all the toxins from non-organic foods because of the inevitable chemicals. Your liver, in particular, works extra hard to eliminate these substances from your system.

It really is within you to make a choice and start living a healthy life—your health is your most important asset. The advice I am giving works for me, so you will probably have to do research and experimentation to discover what works well for you. Before you start any kind of diet, I highly recommend that you consult your physician.

Make it a happy and healthy Thanksgiving!

This blog submission was written by Sehin Belew .  Sehin was born and raised in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. She lived through political upheaval and famine in that country before embarking on a two-year journey of volunteerism, helping victims in remote famine relief camps, then finally settling in the United States to attend college. In 1988 she was crowned Miss Ethiopia. Sehin lives in northern California and runs her own business. Her company, “Sehin Belew,” provides image and style consultations as well as seminars on how to look Fabulous for Less. She’s been on more than two dozens television, radio, magazine and newspapers.  You can read more about Sehin at www.sehinbelew.com

The views of guest bloggers are not the views of Ethiopian-Americans for Change.  Guest bloggers represent the broad dissection of views and outlooks within our community.  Please remember to cite source or link story back to EA4C.org for news aggregators that pick this article up.

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.

The reality was quite a different occasion. With my closest relatives and friends, I can be myself; a patchwork of liquorish and mitmita, wooden shoes and abesha kemis, timberlands and netela. At the same time, I find I have to explain myself to the Ethiopian community as much as to the American community. My shoulders just can’t find the steady beat of the drum. They keep trying to shake to the off-beats like in Reggae music. We did not grow-up celebrating, but rather surviving. My Amarenya walks with a distinguishable limp marked by my thick tongued overemphasis of vowels and the seeming half-hearted roll of my ‘re’. My parents taught me my Amharic and Dutch was actually my first language. It takes me a while to read anything and I do not understand a lot of what I can pronounce. I taught myself how to read and write in Amharic during a six-week visit home when I was a sophomore in college.

I understand that to some who left home at a later age than I did, I may symbolize their worst fear; a loss of their culture and essentially their identity. But I commend those who push past this fear and take the time to not only know Ethiopian-Americans like me, but teach us through patience and love instead of judgment. The reality is that we grew up on foreign soil on which we took our first steps, spoke our first words, and experienced our first heart-breaks. Therefore, this foreign soil does, in fact, share this space we call ‘home’ with Ethiopia. Our unique Amarenya, then, represents not loss but the resilience of our culture because I refuse to stop speaking it. Frankly, I am proud of myself despite the “mts, mts, mts” I hear when I stumble over words or sit back at a party instead dancing in the middle of the circle. I worked hard to get here, this peaceful state of self-awareness, through persistent and active learning. Many times, life would have been much simpler if I would have just accepted this American identity as my whole identity. For me, and many like me, that is not enough. We fight to preserve our culture not despite the American culture with live in, but through it.

Pretense is not my forte. I can only be me. My sister once noted that most of us Ethiopian-Americans flourish not when we try to emulate that which came before us, but when we embrace our hybrid identities and forge our own path like Burntface, Dinaw Mengistu, and Wayna. Only then, I believe, do we truly pay homage to those who sacrificed so that we can live in a land where you never really fail until you stop trying.

A good friend of mine, Elias from the hip-hop group Burntface, once beautifully described his identity. I have yet to find a more eloquent and accurate term to describe myself. I am American African. In English, the adjective always precedes the noun. What kind of car is it? It is a blue car, a big house, and a small fish. African is my blood, my core, my noun. But what kind of African am I? I am an American African.

\”Burntface on YouTube\”

This blog submission was written by Liya Endale.  The views of guest bloggers are not the views of Ethiopian-Americans for Change.  Guest bloggers represent the broad dissection of views and outlooks within our community.