Mental Health Community Forum 2012

I attended a wonderful gathering of health professionals who were concerned for the Mental Health Status within the Ethiopian Community. The topic of discussion was Mental Illness and Suicide. The program was on August 25, 2012 in the Washington DC area.

I loved hearing the speakers as they were diverse in skill set among the many Universities such as George Mason and Harvard, The Department of Mental Health, Department of Family Medicine in Chicago, Counselors in Charter schools and Directors of Education within the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. All of the speakers did an excellent job. It was put together on short notice due to the urgency of awareness as this week alone; there was a planned funeral service for two brothers who committed suicide. 

Two very special people took the podium and all media was turned off for confidentiality. A young woman and man were able to draw in the audience, explaining their story of depression and difficulty in coming to this country and wanting to end their lives. It was a moving time. I cried. The facilitator, Tseday Aragie, gave members of the audience a chance to respond. I was able to share my thoughts as a health care clinician.

From being married and living within the culture, it has become clear to me that the family unit is such an integral part of each member's lives, that the family should be educated on the signs of Depression and Suicide. I also recommended a directory for contacting health care professional who are Ethiopian and sensitive to cultural needs. There should be a website on mental health specific to Ethiopians, with articles form other Ethiopians to break the stigma associated with having a mental or emotional illness. Lastly, an Ethiopian yahoo group sent an invitation for this event. (I get to be an invited member because of my husband). I suggested a similar group to be made for persons with mental health issues who can log on with alias names, for confidentiality. 

I can't wait to attend the next gathering updating the community on breakthroughs and results from implementing the feedback.

Will, Jada and Charity: Water

charity:water does it again. Humanitarian giving is courageous. How nice of them to combine their birthday's to help Ethiopia.

Read more: Smiths visit Ethiopia for Charity.
"Our trip to Ethiopia with charity: water was an incredibly eye-opening and authentic experience," said Smith.

Young Humanitarian Hearts

My children have such caring hearts for animals especially my youngest. His love of animals does not just stop at caring for birds, insects, dog and cats but humans as well. He cried for 6 hours, off and on, when he saw a homeless man standing on the side of the highway, holding a sign for donations. This was just a week ago. We couldn't stop him from crying the whole day because he felt so sorry for this man; regardless of our best efforts. He is the same child who is selling rocks to feed children in Africa. We almost went for broke on our trip to Ethiopia, with our children. They could not understand why we did not give every child who held their hands out, some Ethiopian Birr or coins.

My youngest wanted us to adopt as many as possible which my husband and I have discussed in the past. Since we have two Ethiopian boys by birth, why not adopt an Ethiopian girl. My sons think it's a great idea which surprised me because they didn't mind having another girl in the house. My hopes is that they will continue to have such caring hearts and become actively involved in humanitarian work. The world needs more of us.

Mission: Rescue fallen baby birds from ground during summer heat wave.

Mariam Tutoring Center

We had another successful semester at Mariam Church Tutoring Center in DC. We have committed to volunteer as tutors at their Saturday Program. All the tutors have a higher education degree, tutoring in Science, Mathematics, English, and Reading Comprehension. Most of the learning is during homework help time, then they have a 45 minute break and snack time, which the parents organize.

We have a few outings in the summer and there is a spelling bee program that will continue for those who want to participate.They had such a good time on the last day. I made sure to take a few pictures of the activities and conversations.

 

 

 

 

There Can Only Be One

The team for The Ethiopian Foundation will be choosing the new scholarship recipient on Saturday, June 23, 2012. This will be our second year of candidates who wrote beautiful and inspiring personal letters with high level GPA's. This will be no easy task, but there can only be one.

I have written a letter to inform all candidates who will not be approved. It will have to be delicate but encouraging to other great available opportunities. I have been rejected a few times from academic programs and scholarships. So I think I know what would be the "needed" thing to say. If they are as ambitious as I was, they will not give up that easily.

For the recipient who is chosen, we will set up a meeting to meet them and their family. I don't think this is done with most foundations. It will be another exciting time. We are also working on more funding. If you want to give, you may send a check or money order to The Ethiopian Foundation P.O. Box 2331, Fairfax, VA 22031. 

Thanks for your continued support. We will include you on our Wall of Contributors to the Right of this page, unless otherwise requested.

Buy Rocks for the African Children

Dear, people

Please buy these rocks becuse i will give the african people to get money they do not have jobs, clean water, and food please help them they need sweets and vegetables. 

Two weeks ago, my 1st grader, Iyasu, was outside with a friend gathering rocks. He came inside looking to make a sign so that he could sell rocks to the neighbors for the children of Ethiopia. (He still remembers the trip from two years ago). Who was I to stop him.

Last night he said, "Mama, we need toner for the printer". I told him I'd buy some this weekend. I was distracted and forgot to ask him why. This morning I went to check on the printer, opening the top of the printer, a sheet of paper falls to the ground, with this letter, written in pencil.

I froze and laughed and became serious and introspective and awed by my son's heart for those less fortunate than himself. I can't wait to show his father. Now my son has me thinking, what levels will I go to meet the needs of people here and abroad?

Protest

This is a tough subject. To protest or not to protest. We as a nation feel pretty strongly about our rights being observed and recognized.

 Some would look at these pictures and say how noble and timely, to fight for Ethiopia from a prominent country.

  Others who know the reason for the protest may be against it as tension exists from the past.

 This was the scene as Ethiopians trickled from a trip to The Capital, energized from protesting with other Ethiopians, statewide.

 As they dispersed, these are the photos left of hopeful expectations of a shadow demonstration.

Petrina