A hero devoted to getting books to Ethiopia’s children
By Marjorie Kehe | 11.22.08
CNN has chosen Gebregeorgis Yohannes as one of its heroes (picked as one of 10 out of 10,000 nominations) and it was an excellent choice. Yohannes has devoted himself for much of the past decade to getting books into the hands of Ethiopian children.
His goals are ambitious. Not only does he want to bring books to a country where they are are scarce (in Ethiopia 99 percent of schools have no library and more than 57 percent of people over 15 years old are illiterate) but he wants to change the world.
“This is really my way of changing society, starting with children, who connect to other cultures, to other ways of thinking,” Yohannes said in an interview with The Associated Press this week. “Books have changed me, have changed my world view.”
Yohannes knows first-hand what books can mean to Ethiopian children. He grew up in Ethiopia and before the age of 19 he’d read so few books that he remembered each one he’d ever seen with great clarity. Finally, at the age of 19, he read his first book for pleasure outside of school.
It was a love story. It made an enormous impression.
Yohannes eventually sought political refuge in the United States and there became a school librarian in San Francisco. But he never forgot his home country or its children.
Eventually he founded the non-profit Ethiopia Reads and now he dedicates himself to bringing books to young Ethiopians.
He is currently touring the US to personally thanks groups and individuals who have donated to his cause.
Comments
2. Jesse Teshara | 11.23.08
When I lived in Davis, I remember the public library received so many donated books that it only used a small fraction of them. That’s Davis, Ca, a college town, home of the UCD Aggies. I don’t know how many of those were children’s books, though.
3. Dawit Tilahun | 11.24.08
I have known Yohannes seven years now. I had an interviewed with him for one the local English language newspapers, THE SCOPE. Now, I am really proud to hear that he is one of the ten CNN heroes. This is the fruit of commitment, hard work, love of his own poor people and … I really wish success for in whatever he does and in this contest.
Dawit Tilahun, Addis Ababa Ethiopia
4. Tsegaye Assefa | 11.25.08
I am happy that you are one of the top ten CNN short list heroes. with your good work and commitement for you country. You are giving us books the best gift which will pass through generation. I belive that what ever you postion stand in CNN list, your good work will be on top in every one heart .
May GOD bless you!!!!!
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1. Mebratu habtesellassie | 11.23.08
I would like to give you my address: 204 E Joppa Rd, Baltimore, MD 21286
Please contact me as soon as possible. So far, I have collected over 1000
books ready for shipment. The books are ear-marked for Addis Ababa Univ.
as donation.