Offering hope and help, with dignity, to those who suffer unnecessarily from the injustice of poverty

Glimmer’s projects provide women, men and children with clean water, education, access to healthcare and the opportunity to earn a living. Every human being deserves these basic human rights, and the effort to help provide them is happening all over the country for more than 2.5 million people in Ethiopia today.

Until each and every person in every village is free from the burden of extreme poverty, our efforts will continue.

Facts

Full name: Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
Population: 91 million *
Capital: Addis Ababa
Area: 1.13 million sq km (437,794 sq miles)
Major languages: Amharic, Oromo, Tigrinya, Somali
Major religions: Christianity, Islam
Life expectancy: 54 years (men), 59 years (women) *
Monetary unit: 1 Birr = $0.06 US
Main exports: Coffee, hides, oilseeds, beeswax, sugar cane
Average Annual Income: US $330 ($0.90 a day) * Next

Statistics

Water:
• 50% of Ethiopians are living with water borne diseases
• On average, women walk 4 miles and carry 40 pounds of water to their family daily *
• In Ethiopia, 3.7 billion work hours are lost every year due to long-distance water gathering *

Education:
• 40% of Ethiopian children will never attend school *
• Ethiopia has one of the lowest primary school enrolment rates and one of the highest illiteracy rates in the world *
• 65% women cannot read or write *
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Statistics

Healthcare:
• 1 in 10 children will die before their first birthday *
• 1 in 27 pregnant women in Ethiopia will die in childbirth *
• 46% of children under the age of five die from diarrhea alone *

History

Ethiopia is the second-most populous country in Africa, located in the “Horn of Africa” in the easternmost part of the continent. Prev | Next

The official national language is Amharic, with dozens of regional languages including Oromo and Tigrinya. Unique among African countries, Ethiopia has remained an independent country since ancient times. The Ethiopian monarchy traces its roots to the 2nd century B.C. and has remained free from colonial rule, with the exception of a brief Italian occupation during World War II.

A charter member of the United Nations, Ethiopia is a center for African politics and currently has one of the most powerful militaries in Africa. Prev | Next

Although largely free from the coups that plagued other African countries, Ethiopia's turmoil has been no less devastating. Drought, famine, war and ill-conceived policies are blamed for the loss of hundreds of thousands of lives and severe hardship for millions more.

In 1973, a visiting reporter revealed a famine previously concealed by the government. The news prompted the international Live Aid support movement and culminated in the 1974 deposition of Haile Selassie’s governing regime. Replaced by a self-proclaimed Marxist-Leninist junta led by Mengistu Haile Mariam, thousands of opponents were purged, property was confiscated, spending skyrocketed and food production plummeted. Prev | Next

With the overthrow of the junta in 1991, Ethiopian political and economic conditions stabilized, but the country continues to recover from the disastrous effects. Ethiopia is one of Africa's leading coffee producers yet it remains one of continent’s poorest countries.

The Ethiopian economy revolves around agriculture, which in turn relies on unpredictable rainfall, leaving many communities dependent on food aid from abroad.

The challenges of the Ethiopian people continue, but with each experience of hope and opportunity their will and spirit shines. Prev                   

A Glimmer of Hope works in four major regions of Ethiopia: Amhara, Tigray, Oromia and the Southern region.

Ethiopia is a land of extremes. In the north rise the snow-capped Simien Mountains, known as the rooftop of Africa, home to the rare Gelada baboons.

In the southern, eastern and western parts of the country, fertile coffee growing regions exist alongside drought-stricken plains and tropical lowlands. Next

Behind the doors of desperate, dilapidated school facilities are eager, bright children with an appetite for knowledge.

Atop a pregnant woman’s back on her trek for fresh water, is a jerry can some forty pounds worth of strength, resolve, and dedication to her family. Underneath the tears of a child suffering from preventable disease is patience on the long journey to receive medical care.

Beyond the disheartening circumstances that plague Ethiopia is a grace and dignity – A Glimmer of Hope. Prev | Next

Donors have been and continue to be enlightened by the authentic beauty and hope for the future in Ethiopia via visits to the country.

If you are considering traveling to Ethiopia, here is some travel information provided by our sponsor Ethiopian Airlines, Winner of Best Airline of the Year Award in Africa 2008 & 2009.
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