How do we do it—pull meaning from symbols on paper, or from bits of light and dark in flickering electric impulses? This miracle is called reading. I learned to read in Maji, in deep southern Ethiopia. My mother taught me in my own childhood language of English. As I filled workbooks at our dining room […]
Learning to decode words — transforming marks on a page (or screen) into sounds in our brains — is one big reading skill. Learning to read those words fluently in sentences is another. The Creative Team considers those skills as we create Ready Set Go Books. But other skills are needed for understanding the sentences
Creating OHBD RSG Books to Enhance Reading Comprehension Skills Read More »
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 »
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 »
I’ve always followed my passion rather than running after money. So when it comes to work that matters, non-profit jobs offer the opportunity to be a part of something that will profoundly impact society. That is why I joined Open Heart Big Dreams. Ethiopian children want to read a good story, but with the lack
