My educational journey started in Gambella, Ethiopia where I was born. Growing up, I never had nongovernmental printed Anuak books. The school provided textbooks which we always returned at the end of each year. Since the schools couldn’t afford to print new copies each year, we were always given the same recycled books. It’s only […]
Preserving a Rare Ethiopian Language for the Anuak People of Gambella Read More »
When Daniel Aklilu and I connected on Facebook, he generously offered to illustrate a #RSG book for us. I sent him a title from our new inclusion series, which is part of the Mike Carr Legacy project. Each day he would work on one illustration and share it with me via Messenger then I would
Connecting through art, social media, and stories Read More »
Thirty-one mammals are found only in Ethiopia. Amazing creatures are tucked away in the many eco-regions of the country that has such varied terrain: mountains, plateaus, river valleys, deserts, lakes, and rivers that allow for the survival of animals that can’t be spotted anywhere else in the world. As one example, the Ethiopian wolf –
Only In Ethiopia – So many animals, birds and more to explore in books. Read More »
In 2016, I started the process of taking Open Hearts Big Dreams from the fundraising event we started in 2011 to a full-fledged not-for-profit. I was inspired by our amazing daughter and the opportunities we saw to contribute after funding and expanding a library in her birth-town of Bahir Dar (pictured here). That year was
Open Hearts Big Dreams – Five Years into the Organizational Journey Read More »
It was a big month for Open Hearts Big Dreams. We had our best GiveBIG effort ever – thank you to all who matched, gave, or shared! None of this work is possible without the funding we receive through these types of efforts! We hosted our first locally-focused workshop event organized and led by our
OHBD’s Leadership Focus Creates Our Newest Leaders Read More »
We are excited to launch our OHBD Big Dreams Heroes and Leaders in Literacy, Innovation, and Inclusion Awards to recognize their invaluable contributions. These volunteers and supporters are heroes and leaders in the truest sense of the words. They exemplify our mission of empowering youth to transform their futures and follow our tenets to accomplish
OHBD Launches Award Program Read More »
In a study published last year in the Journal of Happiness Studies, researchers looked at data from nearly 70,000 subjects and concluded that volunteers were happier. People who start out at a lower level of well-being seem to get even more benefit from volunteering. But I don’t need a study to tell me that volunteer
Why Do I Volunteer for OHBD? From our Creative Lead, Author Jane Kurtz Read More »
Our visit was incredible. We did cool things like climb the Simien Mountains and met great people like the ones I am going to tell you about. OHBD did so many good things. When we were in Dangla, we met a science teacher from Project Ethiopia. He was showing students how to measure viscosity of
My Amazing Trip to Ethiopia Read More »
My goal in life is to be a role model for the next generation and show everything is possible. I have always believed that education, leadership, and community service are at the very central part of any society’s sustainable development. I would like to work on the quality of education in collaborating with not-for-profit organizations
Early STEAM Investment Yields Benefits for Women and Their Communities Read More »
In September of 2015, I had the pleasure of connecting with Ellenore. Our work with our then corporate jobs initially brought us together but our shared passion for creating opportunities for women and children in Ethiopia (and beyond) kept us working in partnership over the last 6 years. I was honored to be offered a