Reducing Maternal Health Disparities

By: Bethel Tsehai, M.P.H. (@bethel_tsehai)
January 2, 2012

The most basic of human rights, the right to health and life, are greatly disproportionate in developing countries such as Ethiopia. Particularly in the area of maternal health, the number of preventable maternal deaths, stillbirths, newborn deaths, and birth related injuries are astounding. To put things into perspective, it is estimated that more than 500,000 Ethiopian women and girls will suffer from injuries caused by complications during pregnancy and childbirth each year.

The issue of maternal health is so great that improving maternal health is one of the Millennium Development Goals for 2015. In order to address many of the preventable birth and pregnancy related injuries and deaths, the World Health Organization recommends that countries work towards the goal of having skilled birth attendants, such as midwifes, who have received formal education in the area of pregnancy and childbirth be present at every birth.

The Hamlin College of Midwives in Ethiopia has taken this recommendation to heart and developed a program in midwifery. Unlike students attending vocational schools, the students of Hamlin College of Midwives will be given a formal education and graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Midwifery. With a population of nearly 80 million in Ethiopia, there are only 1,000 qualified midwives. Despite this daunting challenge, the College is committed to educating midwives and equipping them with the tools needed to care for and educate women in the area of maternal health. 

The Midwives Scholarship Fund (MSF) project under EGI is working towards raising funds to support the education of at least eight midwives attending the Hamlin College of Midwives. Through supporting the education of midwives, MSF is taking part in becoming a part of the solution in maternal health.

In light of the holiday season, I encourage you to support our efforts by donating or raising funds to educate midwives. Well trained and skilled midwives are the key to reducing the disparities facing women in Ethiopia today.

Bethel Tsehai, M.P.H. is the Project Manager of the Midwives Scholarship Fund at the Ethiopian Global Initiative. 

Supporting the Women of Ethiopia

December 31, 2011

Dear friend,

I hope you are as excited as I am by what 2012 may bring for all of us. Wouldn't it be amazing for all women in Ethiopia to be guaranteed their right to safe childbirth?

This goal is already being undertaken at the Hamlin College of Midwives.

Our partners at Hamlin Fistula International have committed themselves to eliminate the number of women suffering from childbirth injuries by becoming the center for training, research, prevention and care of obstetric fistula. Maternal health is an important target that the United Nations set in the Millennium Development Goals for 2015.

Right now, you have an opportunity to be part of the world's vision for better maternal healthcare. We at EGI have committed to work with our partners at Hamlin Fistula International to fully fund the education of eight midwives at the Hamlin College of Midwives. By earning a Bachelor of Science in Midwifery, these midwives will return to rural Ethiopian communities to prevent childbirth injuries and increase awareness, therefore saving millions of lives.

Instead of sending these students abroad, they are being taught in Ethiopia at a recognized institution of higher learning. Our Midwives Scholarship Fund's goal is to raise $140,000. Can I count on you to support the women of Ethiopia?

Please make a meaningful contribution today and close 2011 by helping send a midwifery student to college.

Best wishes this holiday season!

Sincerely,

Samuel Gebru
President, Ethiopian Global Initiative

Sending Students to Ethiopia is Worthwhile and Meaningful

EGI hosted a reception at the United States Embassy
in Ethiopia for USCSE 2011 participants.

By: Ryan Olivieri

December 30, 2011

It’s hard to believe that EGI’s U.S. College Students for Ethiopia (USCSE) is only entering its second year. The success and excitement of last year’s pilot program was so inspiring that USCSE has become one of EGI’s most popular and well-known initiatives.

However, it’s not hard to see why. USCSE’s mission, "to tackle the shortage of a skilled workforce in Ethiopia, build a culture of volunteerism within Ethiopia, and to foster communication between Ethiopians and the Ethiopian diaspora," is both worthwhile and meaningful.

Last summer’s interns were able to help further these goals while also gaining valuable work experience in fields they are passionate about with Ethiopian-led organizations. USCSE is a truly unique program in the sense that it allows college students from the United States to be part of a greater good, while also catering to their own personal interests.

If you or someone you know is interested in being a part of Ethiopia's transformation, then we want to hear from you. Apply or learn more about USCSE today!

Ryan Olivieri is Director of Communication and Marketing of the Ethiopian Global Initiative. USCSE 2012 applications are due January 13, 2012.

Hakuna Sundays: Boston Area Networking Mixer

Click on the photo to enlarge

Sunday, January 8, 2012 from 6:00pm until 9:00pm

Harvard Yard Starbucks

1380 Massachusetts Ave.

Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138

Come attend the first Hakuna Sundays networking mixer of 2012 co-hosted by Africans in Boston (AiB) and the Ethiopian Global Initiative (EGI). Hakuna Sundays is an AiB bi-weekly networking mixer open for all students and professionals in the Boston area. Mingle with new and familiar faces while sipping on complementary Ethiopian coffee provided by Harvard Yard Starbucks.

More information and RSVP: action@ethgi.org or 1-617-528-9434

Samuel Gebru's 20th Birthday

Picture: Dawn Colquitt-Anderson

Dear friend,

The Ethiopian Global Initiative's founder, Samuel M. Gebru, is turning 20-years-old on Sunday, November 20! Isn't it amazing that he is just 19? 

You can help celebrate Samuel's 20th birthday by making a $20 donation to EGI's General Fund. Your donation, in honor of his birthday, helps us continue our work. We strive to be a positive force for development in Ethiopia but cannot do this without the support of people like you.

Please consider joining EGI in celebrating Samuel's 20th birthday by making a contribution of $20 today. We cherish your support and look forward to doing great work with you!

Sincerely,

The EGI Family

Summer 2012 Ethiopia Internship: U.S. College Students for Ethiopia

2011 U.S. College Students for Ethiopia participants

Are you a college student in the United States interested spending your summer in Ethiopia in an exciting internship program with a community service component? The Ethiopian Global Initiative's Summer 2012 applications for U.S. College Students for Ethiopia are now available. 

Entering its second year, the EGI project aims to bridge the communication and access gap between U.S. college students and Ethiopian organizations, create a thriving environment for volunteerism and community engagement and raise the consciousness of service to Ethiopia.

Learn more and apply here! Summer 2012 applications due November 28, 2011.

Free Societies Inspire Engagement

Photo: Dawn Colquitt-Anderson/EGI

By: Bethel Tsehai, M.P.H. (@bethel_tsehai)

October 30, 2011

A week ago, on Saturday, October 22, I attended the Ethiopian Global Initiative’s 2011 BuildEthiopia Conference at Harvard University. BuildEthiopia provided a platform for participants and attendees to actively engage in exploring current issues facing Ethiopia and to seek solutions for those challenges. Students, professionals, educators, policy makers, activists, and community organizers came together to collaborative and mutually inspire.

Topics covered include social entrepreneurship and economic development, civic engagement, and exploring the millennium development goals in relation to Ethiopia. Mr. Tesfaye Yilma, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of Ethiopia to the United States, spoke on the various threats Ethiopia faces in the future, in particular, poverty as the country’s top national security threat. On the positive side, the government is making efforts to ensure a transfer of knowledge and technology.

Mr. David Rice, Executive Director of New York University’s Development Research Institute, emphasized the need for and benefits of economic freedom in Ethiopia. Often times, international development issues stem from issues in leadership. In light of this statement, he asked some thought provoking and profound questions. In particular, he asked, “Can you have economic freedom and growth without criticizing the current government?” It’s imperative to realize that only in a free society does a country have complete economic freedom. He asked, “Could Steve Jobs do what he did in Ethiopia?” Think about it! In a free society, citizens are not only empowered, but entitled to pursue their dreams without hindrance. Failure or success of the individual is based on their own efforts and abilities and not dictated or controlled by the government.

On the bright side, Ethiopia’s GDP is growing at a progressive double-digit rate. In light of this growth, it is vital for donor countries to partner with the African Diaspora. It is clear that Africa needs an African solution! Frankly, the African Diaspora needs to step and think outside the box and develop new and innovative ways to approach the difficulties of Ethiopia and Africa in general.

Through capacity building, enhancing social media and technology, and engaging in social entrepreneurship, Ethiopia will become a self-sustaining and successful country. There is hope and it begins with one word: ENGAGEMENT!

Bethel Tsehai, M.P.H., is Project Manager of the Midwives Scholarship Fund at the Ethiopian Global Initiative.