First Stop, Ethiopia!

So far I have been in Ethiopia for 2 days. The country is beautiful and has a mix of mountains, forests, and rivers. The poverty here is high with 44% of the population living under the poverty line. (1) The desolate conditions are not hard to miss. When I was reading up on the country before I arrived, I found that 4 out of 5 families live on less than $2 a day.(2) Since I have been here I have been able to try many different foods. The staple foods consist of spicy meat and vegetable dishes and they are eaten with only our hands and no utensils. The first time I did this I felt a little awkward and out of place but it is now becoming a little more natural.

While driving between towns I have seen many farms and livestock along the way. In fact, 80% of the people are dependent on agriculture as their income. Some common foods grown are coffee, beans, sugarcane, and vegetables. I have also been told that Ethiopia raises more livestock than any other country in Africa. However, weather conditions have greatly affected the outcome of farming over the years because of severe droughts and flooding. This has been part of the reason that poverty has been prevalent.(1) The weather ruins their main source of income and then they are left struggling with no other way to make money for the rest of the year.

I have also been informed that Ethiopia is listed in the top 10 countries for the worst human development index worldwide. 16% of all the children are orphans, due to AIDS and other illness and disease.(2) Often times other family members or friends then take them in and care for them. This can make it difficult for families when they get so large and have so many mouths to feed. Due to the lack of health services available, 1 in 13 children die before their first birthday. Also more than 1/3 of children under age 5 are malnourished.(2) It is very upsetting to see so many children by themselves, just wandering around the streets of different villages. I would love to sweep them all up and bring them home with me.


(1.) Maps of world, (1999-09). Poverty in Ethiopia. Retrieved fromhttp://finance.mapsofworld.com/economy/ethiopia/poverty.html

(2.) Wide Horizons for Children, (2010). Humanitarian Aid in Ethiopia. Retrieved fromhttp://www.whfc.org/WHFFC/projects/ethiopia.asp?gclid=CMyDvZ6TiqUCFYfu7QodljcnOA

Photo courtesy of Liz Dale

photo courtesy of David Westfall