The Power of Personality by Neil Jones

The Power of Personality by Neil Jones

 

How did I end up in the middle of Africa? This was not even on my radar 3 months ago. Wasn’t Ethiopia the place where they had that terrible famine when I was a kid? Surely it’s better now but why would I want to go there? The answer: personality.

The first personality I encountered was Trish Hack-Rubinstein, at a bus stop in outer San Francisco. The kind of idle conversation where somebody casually mentions that they have a Non-Profit Organization in their pocket (run largely from an iPhone). This person radiates an energy that affects everyone within speaking distance, and suddenly we are learning in leaps and bounds about Ethiopia’s history and the challenges they face.

And then a huge collection of gregarious, generous and kind-hearted personalities at a fund-raising event in New York City, and I’m hooked! I once met Mr. Munroe Ashkenase, who founded Foster Parents Plan (now Plan Canada). His favourite expression was, “I never met a man who didn’t want to help – you just had to make it easy for him.” Well these people were making it easy for me.

Just over a month later, I have navigated the customs and immigration hall of Addis Ababa airport clinging to my only clue: “Someone will be there to pick you up.” That someone was the personality that created this whole enterprise: Muday Mitiku. Constantly in motion, keeping an organization the size of a village in her head (and on her mobile phone), she is a wonder to watch. Her staff and family provide seamless support.

And finally I meet the collective personality whom I knew before only in pictures: the beautiful children who make a stranger feel like he is part of the family. The characters! The laughter! The schoolyard games! If only I spoke their language as well as they speak mine – but they will teach me, throughout the course of a week. Amharica kwanka tamari naw – I am a student of Amharic.

I am the beneficiary of the generosity of all of these personalities, these perfect hosts. That is why I do my small part to help with their challenges.

Ethiopian Soccer is in San Jose and So Are We!

Ethiopian Soccer is in San Jose and So Are We!

Last night the 31st Annual Ethiopian Sports Federation in North America, ESFNA, opened up with much fan fair!

Since 1984 ESFNA has brought Ethiopians in the US and Canada together for a week of sport and culture. Thirty one teams compete throughout the week with the finals and closing ceremonies taking place on July 5th.

The week is filled with Ethiopian music, culture and  food. The atmosphere is electric as friends and family reunite n San Jose, CA for sport and celebration! The 4th of July is Ethiopian Day and is guaranteed to be a great time!

This is the third year Friends of Fresh and Green Academy has taken part as a non profit vendor and we are honored to be involved with such a great event. The warm and welcoming spirit of the Ethiopian people is unmatched. This is truly a week filled with love and fun.

For more information check out the ESFNA website and stop by if you are in the area. We would love to see you!


 

The ESFNA Ethiopian Soccer Event Was a Huge Success!

The ESFNA Ethiopian Soccer Event Was a Huge Success!

Last week Friends of Fresh and Green Academy had a booth at the Ethiopian  Soccer Federation of North America (ESFNA) soccer tournament at the University of Maryland’s Byrd Stadium. The event was a huge success and we were able to raise over $3,000. for the women and children of Fresh and Green Academy!

This was the 30 year anniversary of the event and it was jam packed with first rate Ethiopian entertainment, including Teddy Afro!

The ESFNA staff was so helpful and pulled off an amazing celebration!

This year’s theme was Female Empowerment, and we were able to do our part to help empower our mothers economically by selling their crafts and special t-shirts. We still have some shirts available and if you make a donation of $25 or more, we will send one to you.




 
 
 
We also held a raffle for an iPad mini and the winner hailed from Alexandria, Virginia. Thank you to all who stopped by and helped us to make a difference in so many lives.