Why Ethiopia?
Ethiopia is the only African country that was not colonized as various European nations scrambled to divide and rule Africa. With the brief exception of the Italian occupation from 1936-1941, Ethiopia has remained an independent nation.
With a population of over 91 million people, there is an assorted collection of food, languages, customs and people groups. Ethiopia also contains a diverse landscape, including parts of the Nile River and the Great Rift Valley. As an East African landlocked country, Ethiopia is bordered by Somalia, Kenya, Sudan, Eritrea and Djibouti.
Ethiopia, an ancient Christian nation, has deep-rooted Ethiopian Orthodox customs and practices. The Judaic-Christian roots of Ethiopia can be found in both the Hebrew and Christian scriptures. Today, about half the population of Ethiopia is Christian.
Unfortunately, this country that is about twice the size of Texas has an estimated 4.3 million orphans. The children are primarily orphaned due to poverty, and live in both government-run and privately established orphanages. Resource awaa.org
-Between 60-150 million children live on the streets.
-1 in 6 children die before their 5th birthday.
-1 in 10 children die before their 1st birthday.
-1 out of 3 people are HIV+, the average life expectancy is 37.
-Half the children will never attend school, 88% won't attend high school.
-82% of the population survives on less than $1 a day.
-24% of the population has access to safe drinking water.
-There is one doctor for every 24,000 children.
Feature photo courtesy of Sam Knutsen lookforhim.etsy.com
With a population of over 91 million people, there is an assorted collection of food, languages, customs and people groups. Ethiopia also contains a diverse landscape, including parts of the Nile River and the Great Rift Valley. As an East African landlocked country, Ethiopia is bordered by Somalia, Kenya, Sudan, Eritrea and Djibouti.
Ethiopia, an ancient Christian nation, has deep-rooted Ethiopian Orthodox customs and practices. The Judaic-Christian roots of Ethiopia can be found in both the Hebrew and Christian scriptures. Today, about half the population of Ethiopia is Christian.
Unfortunately, this country that is about twice the size of Texas has an estimated 4.3 million orphans. The children are primarily orphaned due to poverty, and live in both government-run and privately established orphanages. Resource awaa.org
-Between 60-150 million children live on the streets.
-1 in 6 children die before their 5th birthday.
-1 in 10 children die before their 1st birthday.
-1 out of 3 people are HIV+, the average life expectancy is 37.
-Half the children will never attend school, 88% won't attend high school.
-82% of the population survives on less than $1 a day.
-24% of the population has access to safe drinking water.
-There is one doctor for every 24,000 children.
Feature photo courtesy of Sam Knutsen lookforhim.etsy.com