Guest Post by Amelie LaPorte-Manahan
I was adopted from Ethiopia as a child and have grown up in the Seattle area. My family first got involved with Open Hearts Big Dreams (OHBD) when I was a baby. They have been connected with OHBD ever since, but over the last few years I have been actively contributing. It’s exciting to be part of global literacy and this cultural community!
Literacy in Ethiopia is personal to me. It’s highly unlikely that my birth parents had much education. In fact, statistically speaking, it’s very likely that my birth mother is/was illiterate. I believe she was never given the opportunity to learn. That’s not fair. I am blessed to have a formal education and be in a position where I can help others, so I use my voice to write.
Many kids in Ethiopia truly do not have the opportunity to read. And, when they do, they don’t always have books or topics that are relevant, nor do they often feature people who look Ethiopian. It’s hard to identify with characters that don’t look like you.
My journey with OHBD has allowed me to combine my interests in reducing racial disparities, storytelling, and reading/writing:
- The Black Leopard Book: I am incredibly proud to have co-authored a manuscript on the Black Leopards of Ethiopia with my aunt Theresa. These elusive and beautiful animals are symbolic of Ethiopia’s unique natural heritage. Most people have never heard of them. The manuscript is currently pending final illustrations, and I can’t wait for it to join the Ready Set Go Books collection to inspire a new generation of readers (and maybe even some conservationists!).
- I’ve also had the joy of reading aloud several children’s stories for OHBD’s YouTube channel. There is something special about bringing a story to life through the sound of a voice, and the picture of someone who looks like them, knowing that a child halfway around the world might be listening and following along with their own copy of a bilingual book.
I’ve gotten a lot out of my volunteer work too. It’s a privilege to be part of a global community. I’ve really enjoyed collaborating with others! For example, I worked with my aunt on the book about Black Leopards, and I spent way more time with her these past two years than I would have otherwise. As part of that process, I had a chance to meet and get direct feedback from Jane Kurtz, who is an award-winning author. It was awesome to have her read my work and offer suggestions!! I worked with another aunt to film my book readings. It’s harder than it looks to create even one simple book reading. My relationships are closer because of that work together.
Locally, I donated books featuring Black characters and written in English and Amharic to my grade school library. And I’ve also promoted OHBD in my local community. By sharing the stories of Ethiopia here at home, I’ve seen my own neighbors and friends develop more of an appreciation for Ethiopian culture and the power of education.
OHBD gives people a chance to read, and that can open doors to a new future. And we’re helping to preserve super rare languages like Dizin, Anuak, and Basketgna. https://ohbd-rsgbooks.com/catalog/