Community and heritage are so important, but especially to kids who know the isolation of abandonment. What do you know about Sameson’s heritage?

With assistance from Compassion and the local church, Sameson Tilahun entered vocational school to study woodworking. He is now a role model to other children, and employs an additional two employees.

Ethiopia is a fascinating country. Here are a few facts to kick off your discovery:

  1. Ethiopia is about 7.5 years behind the U.S.! This is because Ethiopia is the only country in the world to have 13 months in a year.
  2. Coffee was first discovered by an Ethiopian goat herder in the Kaffa region (from which the word “coffee” may derive) when he noticed his goats “dancing” after eating the berries off the coffee plant.
  3. Ethiopians measure time from when the sun rises AND count time on the opposite side of the clock. When the sun rises at 6 o’clock it is said to be 12 o’clock – the start of the day.
  4. Ethiopia is mentioned 40 times in the Bible and it is one of the few countries mentioned in the Bible, the Koran, Homer’s Odyssey, and many other ancient books.
  5. Because more than 70% of Africa’s mountains are found in Ethiopia, it is sometimes called “the roof of Africa”.
  6. Unlike most African nations, school in Ethiopia is free. However, many kids have to work instead to help support their families. Less than half are still enrolled by 5th grade.

 

Ethiopia-wildlife

Ethiopia was founded in 980 B.C., making it one of the oldest nations in the world. But despite its rich history, it is also one of the poorest nations in the world.

  1. For every 1,000 Ethiopian children five years old and younger, there are 166 deaths (source).
  2. With an estimated population of 86 million people, 78% of Ethiopians struggle with an income below US$2 a day (source).
  3. Preventable diseases, including Malaria, account for at least 60% of health problems in Ethiopia (source).
  4. 61% of Ethiopian adults are illiterate (source).
Eyerus and Meseret Arega

You can be part of releasing Ethiopian children from poverty in Jesus’ name, and become part of their world! Click here for more information about sponsorship.