Why Ethiopia?

Because Ethiopia is one of the world's 10 poorest nations.

Because over 3 million children in Ethiopia do not go to school.

Because Ethiopia itself has committed to providing all of its children with quality primary education by the year 2015 and, since 1997, has built 6,000 new primary schools, increased school enrollment from 3.7 million to 11.4 million, and increased the gross enrollment rate for girls to 71.5% from 40.7% since 1997.

Because more than 200,000 classrooms are still needed to accommodate all school aged children.

Because bringing education to every child in Ethiopia is not just essential -- it's perfectly achievable, one school at a time.

5 Amazing Ancient Sites

Ethiopia has the largest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Africa, including:

1. Lalibela: these 12th century monolithic Christian churches are carved out of solid rock and decorated with ancient paintings.
2. Simien Mountains National Park: famously home to the Gelada and Hamadryas baboons, this 179 square kilometer stretch of highland wilderness is also the site of Ras Dashen, the highest peak in Ethiopia at 4,620 kilometres.
3. The Walled City of Harar: step back into the 7th century in one of the world's oldest cities, famous for its minarets and holy shrines.
4. Tiya Prehistoric Stalaes: these 36 intriguing stalaes are thought to be ancient tomb stones.
5. Castles of Gondar & Church of Debre-Berhan Selassie: medieval churches in Gondar, the ancient capital of Ethiopia.

 

Quick Facts

Population: over 79.2 million

Capital: Addis Ababa

Languages: the official language is Amarhic, and over 100 language groups, with English, Amharic, Tigrinya and Oromo being four of the most commonly spoken

Area: 435,071 square miles (1,126,829 km²)

Gross National Income: $100 per year

Unemployment Rate: 40%

Life Expectancy: 41.24 years

Infant Mortality Rate: 103.22 deaths/1,000 population

Literacy: 57% of Ethiopian adults are illiterate

Human Development Index: Ethiopia is rated 171st out of 182 countries. (Canada is 4th)

3 Earliest Fossil Facts

  1. Ethiopia is known as the 'cradle of civilization' and the land of origin of the very first human species. Out of the 14 human and pre-human fossils discovered so far around the world, 10 are from Ethiopia.
  2. Until 2009, the earliest and most famous human fossil found was "Lucy," who lived 3.2 million years ago.
  3. In 2009, scientists discovered the skeleton of "Selam," a three year old girl who lived 3.3 million years ago in northeastern Ethiopia. Selam is the earliest and most complete skeleton ever found.

3 Famous Front Runners

  1. Abebe Bikila

    Abebe Bikila:
    a two-time Olympic marathon champion who was the first black African in history to win a gold medal at the Olympics.

  2. Haile Gebrselassie

    Haile Gebrselassie:
    an Ethiopian long distance track and road running athlete who has broken 26 world records, won numerous Olympic and World Championship titles, and is considered one of the greatest distance runners in history.

  3. Derartu Tulu

    Derartu Tulu:
    the first Ethiopian woman to win a medal at the Olympic Games and the first woman from Africa to win an Olympic gold medal.

Did You Know...?

  • Ethiopia has a Prime Minister and a President? The Prime Minister is the Head of the Government and the President is Head of State.
  • Ethiopia is the world's 27th-largest country.
  • Ethiopia is the only African country with its own alphabet. The Ethiopian alphabet consists of 33 letters each with 7 characters.
  • Ethiopia is the birthplace of coffee. Coffee beans were first cultivated by Ethiopian highlanders.
  • Ethiopia has over 924 different species of birds.