Photographer's Donation-Ethiopia

"Canopy Ethiopia"-www.canopyethiopia.org-2007

We take care of so many things in life and we forget to take care of the Earth. There are many heros in this world all with great ambition, zeal and passion for their cause. One such man, Andarge Asfaw, is an Ethiopian photographer who not only uses his talents to capture the beauty of the earth. He has captured this beauty in Ethiopia and combined his art in a book called "Ethiopia from the Heart", by Mechale Publishing. He is also a teacher with a non-profit organization called "Canopy Ethiopia" which is an environmental sustainable program with a mission to preserve Ethiopia's forest. Soon Andarge and his colleagues will be starting their first nursery planting in Dendi, Ethiopia.

I found out about Andarge through a friend and visited his site. I was very impressed with his photos. My favorite is of the beautiful Ethiopian woman with silver hair. Her features are just mesmerizing. Please stop by his site, post a comment and please if you can, make a donation. To visit his site, just click here.

Photographers' Donation-New York

We all have talents. There is always something you can do. Your skills can take you far but don't forget about the people around you. There is always someone in need or someone who wishes they could afford the simple things in life and they just do not have the means. One of my really good friends is a photographer and web developer. She spearheaded a photo shoot for her community!!!

This is what happened. My friend Sirin, had an idea and ran with it. Her and her friends set up shop in a shelter for battered women and children in the Bronx. They had professional cameras, backdrops, on the spot developing machines and laptops with drinks and snacks. They took family portraits for free from a funding project for photographers. I had my own fundraising event the same day and could not make it to this event. I heard it was so much fun and the community was above and beyond grateful. It was such a success it is believed they will try to continue their efforts as many summers as they can.

To see Sirin's photo blog album go to http://newyork.blogphotography.com

*All rights reserved.

Sirin's work-Lea in Gold-Bronx, NY

Words of Dawit (David)

"But who am I and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you and we have given you only what comes from your hand."

-Dawit (David)

Ethiopian Joke

I received an email called Ethiopian Mothers. It was a very funny attachment of an Ethiopian Joke about how smart mothers can be. I never forgot it as it continues to make me smile even as I think about it. I will try to be true to its translation. Here it goes:

One day a young man's mother was coming to visit him in the states from Ethiopia. He was excited but didn't want his mother to know that his girlfriend was living with him. So when she arrived he told her she was his roommate and when his mother continued to inquire of her he said, "she is only a friend and nothing more". His mother accepted his replies and stayed for a month. They had a wonderful time and they were both sad to see her go. After a few weeks, the young lady could not find the traditional kettle and asked her boyfriend if he knew where it was. He said he had not seen it either. She then felt bad but wondered if his mother had taken it by accident. So he called his mother and apologized but asked if she had taken the kettle. She said, "no I did not take it. I left it under your pillow, in your bed. If you had been sleeping in it, you would have known it was there".

Let's Walk to Support-Against Breast Cancer

Thanks to Hilina, a dear college friend in New York who sent an email encouraging the support of this years walk against breast cancer. The event is sponsored by the American Cancer Society and will be held on Sunday, October 17, 2010, in Central Park at the 72nd Street Bandshell. Registration begins at 9am with stories shared from cancer survivors. You are invited to join the walk. If you are unable to do so you may make a donation.

If you would like to make a donation, you may do so at this link.

*Thank you Hilina for this valuable information.

Enjoying the New Year.

These are my boys and myself on Ethiopian New Year. We had a great time with family at Dukem Restaurant in DC. We had Kitfo and Yebeg tibs, which are my favorite and the boys had Aletcha fit-fit, their favorite. We had great conversation and chatted about Ethiopia and places they visited when they were younger. In school they passed notes to their older sister from a love interest, realizing at that moment (at the table) each brother was given a note to deliver. This was a segway into marriage and who to marry, what to look for in a mate and the difficulties of who to choose on a wedding guest list, with a limited budget. Of course part of the conversation and entertainment was the boys and going back to school and how nice they look in their Ethiopian clothing. My husband and I told stories of my oldest son and his adventurous spirit. For my youngest we spoke about his sensitivity to right all wrongs. I love their differences in personality. I had a vision for their future and tried to stay in the moment for they are the future Ethiopian Americans. On the way home we danced in the car to daddy and mommy's music, when we were teenagers. We did the Robot and John Travolta. Right before we reached home the boys spotted a soldier in the car next to us. The boys started to salute him as did my husband and myself, to his surprise. We whispered jokes until we all went to bed...... So hopefully from reading about our day, you felt included on our celebration of the New Year. My this year bring you and your family much health, wealth and happiness.

Melkam Addis Amet- Happy New Year!

Melkam Addis Amet!

September 11th is Ethiopian New Year according the Ethiopian Calender which is similar to the Coptic Calender as there is a 7 year difference between the Gregorian Calender of the West. Today is the 1st day of the year 2003! Ethiopians all over the world are in joyful celebration. You can watch the celebration on the Zena (news) broadcasting on Ethiopian Broadcasting.

There will be many celebrations in your local Ethiopian communities. Come out and celebrate with us. This year the celebrations fall on a Saturday so everyone should have more fun than usual. Enjoy and be safe.

Volunteer with Survivors of Torture

There is a great program that assists in helping people who have been traumatized by war and who have been victims of violence and hate crimes. Some are in this country seeking asylum as they can be killed if they ever returned to their country. I used to work for Survivors of Torture. They are a wonderful organization. They provide many services from financial to legal help. They provide counseling, life skills, educational enhancement as well as medical care. Each Center has their own specialties.

There are many chapters. They are always looking for volunteers for translations in Amharic, Tigrinian, Tibetan, Vietnamese and a host of other worldwide languages. If you can, volunteer to be a translator. They need your help desperately. You can spend as little as 5 hours a week giving back to those who desperatly need you. There is a chapter in New York, Virginia, Baltimore, San Diego, Texas and more. You will enjoy the benefits of your giving and you didn't have to travel abroad to do it : )

Gemini Health Care Group Fundraiser

Hi everyone I just found out through the blog "Addis (360) All Around" that there will be a fundraiser this month on September 25, 2010 at 7pm. The Event will be held at the Sheraton National Hotel in Arlington Virginia. You can get more information on their affiliations, medical mission, future projects and more on their website. Please reserve your tickets as the date is quickly approaching. See you there.