Ethiopia is credited with being the origin of mankind. Bones discovered in eastern Ethiopia date back 3.2 million years. Ethiopia is the oldest independent country in Africa and one of the oldest in the world.
The ancient nation has a fascinating history, has its own number system, alphabets and calendar. The country covers an area of 1.14 million sq. km (944,000 miles) with an estimated population of 77million. It is also the birthplace of coffee.
Despite all the positive qualities, Ethiopia is one of the world’s poorest countries. Sadly, people struggle for even the most basic of needs. The growth in population, the overall poverty level, and growing social breakdown leads to increasing numbers of street children.
These children will not have the opportunity to attend school or eat three meals a day, or even one. These problems are growing faster than the means to cope with them.
Ethiopia’s agriculture is plagued by periodic drought, soil degradation caused by inappropriate agricultural practices and overgrazing, deforestation, high population density, undeveloped water resources, and poor transport infrastructure, making it difficult and expensive to get goods to market. Hunger is unavoidable.
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
Ironically, Ethiopia probably has the fewest non-governmental organizations (NGOs) per capita of any African country. It receives almost the least amount of foreign assistance per capita of any country in Africa, despite being amongst the very poorest.
However, many poor families depend on NGOs for their survival. These NGOs are assisting people to stay alive and in some cases educating children who would not have the opportunity otherwise.
With the help of NGOs, children not only attend school but also have access to textbooks and supplies. NGOs that support orphans and vulnerable children are keeping them off the streets and in full time education.
It is imperative to continue supporting NGOs that are doing great work in Ethiopia because the lives of so many people depend on it.