Books Bring Hope & Joy

Tida ViolanteBooks, Inside Ethiopia Reads, Training

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!

Tida ViolanteAbout us, Inside Ethiopia Reads

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

Tida ViolanteAbout us, Inside Ethiopia Reads

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

Tida ViolanteInside Ethiopia Reads

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

Tida ViolanteEvents, Inside Ethiopia Reads

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!

Malcolm ClarkEvents, Inside Ethiopia Reads, Partners

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

Ethiopia Reads Celebrates! Shola Library

EthiopiaReadsInside Ethiopia Reads

Hawassa Reading Center is turning 10 this year and we’re taking this opportunity to celebrate Ethiopia Reads entire history! Today we look back at our first library, the Shola Library in Addis Ababa. The beginnings were simple – the Shola Library was opened out of the first floor of the home of the ER’s first director in the Bekelo Bet … Read More

Inside Look: Harar School Book Club

EthiopiaReadsInside Ethiopia Reads

At Ethiopia Reads, we believe that reading culture is more than books. We make a point to train teachers and librarians to use books to best purpose. But perhaps even more important is the cultivation of enduring institutions in the school community that promote the value of reading and books. It’s all the better if those are student-driven. That’s why … Read More

Ethiopia Reads Celebrates! Dejach Geneme Primary School

EthiopiaReadsInside Ethiopia Reads

Among the first ten ER libraries is the one at the Dejach Geneme Primary School in Addis Ababa. Dejach Geneme is a public school running from grade 1 to grade 8 with 1802 students. Ethiopia Reads provides the school with all the librarian training, furniture and books of different kinds, in both English and local Ethiopian languages. The Dejach Geneme … Read More

Ethiopia Reads Celebrates! Yekatit 23 Primary

EthiopiaReadsInside Ethiopia Reads

We have a network of more than 70 libraries around the country – that means a network as diverse as are the regions of Ethiopia. ER’s work in Bahir Dar began in 2011, when it established a library at the Yekatit 23 Primary School, funded by a generous gift from the Angelidis family in Seattle. Bahir Dar is the capital … Read More