In 2025, Ethiopia Reads (ER) advanced its mission to build a sustainable culture of reading by delivering high-impact literacy interventions that reached children, families, and the education system across Ethiopia, including in underserved and conflict-affected communities. Guided by evidence and more than decades of experience, ER combined access to quality reading materials with capacity building, family engagement, and national advocacy … Read More
Impact Report: Your Investment in Action – Two Exceptional Volunteers at Hawassa Reading Center
📘 Impact Report: Your Investment in Action – The Transformative Year of Two Exceptional Volunteers at Hawassa Reading Center The success of Ethiopia Read’s Hawassa Reading Center (HRC) is a direct result of your generous support, combined with the tireless dedication of those on the ground. We are thrilled to share the story of Mahlet Bizuayehu and Tsion Dembeshu, two … Read More
Meet US in the DC Metro!
Come meet us on November 16, 2025 at 4:00-5:30 pm in Silver Spring, Maryland! Are you interested in becoming more involved with our mission or want to learn more about what we do? Here is an opportunity to meet staff, the Board of Directors, including Country Director Yemisrach Worku! Ethiopia Reads MEET & GREET Kaldi’s Social Club, 918 Silver Spring … Read More
2024 Annual Report is Here!
There are so many projects that we do not discuss in our newsletters. Here is the Annual Report that includes most of the significant children’s literacy projects. Document is available here: ER Annual Report 2024
Books Bring Hope & Joy
Books bring hope and joy even in difficult times* As the news of fighting and unrest in Ethiopia reaches us, we feel tremendously sad for the Ethiopian people and frustrated about the effects on their children’s education. Between 3 to 4 million Ethiopians have been displaced across the country of which over 2 million have been uprooted by conflicts in northern Ethiopia. Ethiopia … Read More
Dr. Laurie Curtis answers your questions!
Dr. Laurie Curtis, Chairperson of the Book Centered Learning Committee, explains the scientific reasons behind the work and choices of Ethiopia Reads. Why does Ethiopia Reads support the printing, shipping and distributing of children’s books written in local languages? The ability of children to read is built upon a foundation of oral language. It is easier for children to read … Read More
A small group of people in Grand Forks, ND, made a huge impact across the world
Ethiopia Reads has started 80 libraries creating hope for a better future possible for thousands of children through literacy. It all began in Grand Forks, North Dakota when First Presbyterian Church in Grand Forks took the first step in getting Ethiopia Reads started.Jane Kurtz, children’s author and member of First Presbyterian Church in the mid 1990’s began a conversation with … Read More
Video: ER’s supporters recite a collaborative poem
In an effort to stay at home while connecting to each other, Ethiopia Reads is sharing with you our fun and collaborative effort to recite the poem “Melinda Mae” by Shel Silverstein. Please watch our video below and send us a clip of you reading your favorite poems via Facebook, Instagram or Twitter! #EthiopiaReadsOutLoud #EthiopiaReadsOutLoud Melinda Mae
ER Brings Everyone Together for the Second Summit
It was a warm and sunny day in early March when nearly 170 people gathered for Ethiopia Reads 2nd Annual Children’s Reading Summit to discuss how to best support a culture of reading in Ethiopia. Yemisrach Worku, our Country Director and the Ethiopia Reads staff brought together government officials, librarians/educators, scholars, business leaders, parents, nonprofit representatives, volunteers, authors and illustrators … Read More
Help make progress toward children literacy!
I am in Addis Ababa where Ethiopia Reads is hosting our Second National Children’s Reading Summit on March 12-13, 2020. Dr Laurie Curtis, Chair of our Book Centered Learning Committee (BCL), longtime volunteer and BCL member Leanne Clark, ER co-founder and children’s author Jane Kurtz, and I have just arrived from Kansas, Oregon and California. We are eager to participate … Read More
