1. FINOT
N e w s l e t t e r
Club News Speakers Service Entertainment
Vol 3. Issue 2
Providing
“Service
above Self”
requires us
to put our-
selves in
another per-
son’s shoes
and walk a
mile.
p. 4

2. Service
content
above Self
February Speakers
6 16
Bethlehem Tilahun, who was one of the World Economic
It has been more than fifty years since Forum’s Young Global Leaders last year was the guest
Rotary started in Ethiopia. However, the speaker on February 1, 2012. Bethlehem shared her
first national Rotary Day was celebrated inspirational experiences on what it meant to be “an
on February 10, 2012. innovator who succeeded in creating the first global
African consumer brand while creating wealth and
prosperity in our home community.”
18
News & Messages In the 1960s and 70s, there were arguments that
corporations make more long term profits by operating
4 Object Lesson with a perspective of fulfilling their corporate social
36 8 Increasing Club’s Involvement responsibilities, while critics argue that it distracts from
34 Membership - a way to Service the economic role of businesses. Dawit Hailu shares
38 Service - the Timely Focus his experience on the benefit of the business world by
42 The Seven Habits incorporating CSR as a strategy to address the business
44 New Grant Structure of TRF plan of an organization and supporting the poor.
46 Entertainment
48 Raising Rotary’s Public Profile
20
Induction of Rahel to the A business plan is a set of business goals that stipulates
Rotary Club of Finot on why the projected business is believed to be attainable,
March 28, 2012. and the way for reaching those goals. One of our member
speakers, Fisseha Shanko discussed the concept of
formulating a business plan in relation to micro and small
40 enterprises.
Life skill, HIV/AIDS and reproduc-
22
tive health training were given to Dynamite is an explosive material, which name is derived
about thirty orphans on mid- January from Greek roots that literally means connected with
for two days. power. Yodit began her presentation with an explanation
of the use and power of a dynamite. The metaphoric use
of it was a motivating factor that describe the potential
power each Rotarian has and can use for the well being
of others.
January Speakers March Speakers
24
10 Neurology is a medical speciality that deals with
disorders of the nervous system which includes
Women economic empowerment is about diagnosis and treatment of central, peripheral and
increasing women’s access to economic resources autonomic nervous system. Tsega H. Orcutt from
and opportunities including jobs, financial services, Minneapolis, Minnesota was the guest speaker,
property and other productive assets, skills who provided an overview of the neurological
development and market information. Finot invited disorders focusing on the causes, diseases and
Joshua Alemayehu, National Director of EAGC ADA treatment on March 7, 2012.
to share their experiences with Finot.
26
12 Why don’t we ask about the mind though we use
it everyday? What is the mind? The brain? Where
Sugar affects the human body in many ways. Some of do we store love info - in the brain cell or heart
these ways are good but some are bad. Energy created cell? What do we benefit if we mind the mind?
from sugar ingested into the body is one of the good The driving force, the ability, the usage and
ones ‘cause humans need energy to function. As much basic functions of the mind was discussed by Dr.
as we need sugar in the body, we need to manage it Mehret Debebe on March 14, 2012.
carefully not to let it destroy the body. Sisay was a
member speaker who presented the effects of sugar on
human body on January 18, 2012.
28
As the Rotary International designated the month
14 of March to focus on literacy, Samuel Asnake, an
education specialist from UNESCO was invited
“Voluntaryism is what changed my life in terms of
to share his views about literacy vs. illiteracy on
allowing me to live meaningfully and reach to the cry of
March 21, 2012. What crisis would you expect
many who suffered from Malaria. They needed a hand
from literacy and illiteracy?
to save.” Abere Mihrete was a member speaker who
shared the second part of his testimonies about his life
and involvement in humanitarian associations. 30
Computer safety and security includes protection
of information and property from theft,
corruption, or natural disaster, while allowing the
information and property to remain accessible
and productive to its intended users. Genet is the
member speaker who shared her vocation urging
members to remain technologically safe as we
enjoy the services.
Finot Newsletter Vol. 3, Issue 2
2 3

3. Service
Object Lesson above Self
The President’s Heart Beat
After coming back from a marriage
seminar, my sister told me what they
exercised. Each couple was asked to
stand up, they did. The ladies were asked
to come forward and then asked to walk
and then run around the auditorium. They
did. Same instructions were given to their
husbands after their wives returned to Service above self
their seats. The husbands did as requested. requires us to come
out of our comfort
Next request. The men were asked to take zone, to understand
off their shoes and give it to their wives,
others better and to
the wives were asked to take off their
shoes and put on their husbands’ shoes. act as own agenda of
They did. Now the ladies were asked to life.
walk and then run around the auditorium
with their hubbies’ shoes. The husbands
watched and could not help laughing
watching their wives awkward and clumsy Seble Hailu,
moves. President, RC Finot
2011/2012
The laughing men then found themselves
in a position they would not want to be. peaceful, gives us the perspective to come
Same instructions were given to them to out of our comfort zone and think of others.
walk and then run with their wives shoes. Indeed, life looks a whole lot different
As my sister described the situation, my when seen with others’ spectacles. This
imagination went wild especially picturing helps us to understand people better, find
all men with lesser size and high heel their wave lengths to communicate best,
shoes, folding and damaging their wives think creatively how to support them in
shoes, stumbling and falling. The men shouldering their burdens.
did their assignments painfully. Now
everybody was asked to go back to their In the past three months, Finot focused on
seats and reflect on what it felt to be in the services we render to our communities.
another person’s shoes. We are learning to put aside our lenses,
finding solace in identifying with the
The facilitator wanted to give them an less advantaged, and contributing to the
object lesson and make a point that it betterment of their lives. I cannot rejoice
takes one to come out of his/her comfort more except seeing members on service
zone and put oneself in another’s shoes to mode and acting.
see how life looks and feels from others
perspectives. Understanding others and
adding their perspective to our world
comes from trying to see things from their
vantage point.
I think Rotarians are willing to see how life is
when lived with lots of limitations. Putting
ourselves in the place of those whose lives
are unequally favored, the hungry, the
broken-hearted, the disadvantaged, the
poor, the uneducated, the sick, and the un
4 5

4. Country Chair, Rtn Teshome Past District Governor, Rtn.
opening the day with remarks Tadesse opening speech
Cheshire Home Director
thanking Rotary.
Rtn. Yohannes Berhe donating
10 pins to Finot.
Rtn. Tsehay, the active orga-
nizer of the Day
President Rtn. Terefe bidding Rtn. Yemane fund raising
the Turkish airline ticket.
WHO Director appreciat-
ing Rotary’s commitment to
eradicate Polio
6 7

5. Service
above Self
Increasing the Club’s
Involvement
The club has teamed up the members
into seven groups to plan the weekly club Club Administration Director
activities in terms of fun and fellowship. Selamawit Yilma
This has increased the members’
involvement in the meetings as well as
improving communication amongst the
groups to plan and implement action
together.
A special fellowship day was also organized
at Jossy’s place visiting his new baby with
the mother.
This quarter, Finot hosted seven guest
speakers who presented on poverty
alleviation of women, using one’s potential,
neurological health, literacy, international
experience of entrepreneurship, minding
the mind, corporate social responsibilities
of the business world.
Rotarians have the dual responsibility
of representing their vocation within
the club and exemplifying the ideals of
Rotary within the workplace. Vocational
service opportunities include Rotary
club presentations. This quarter, four
member speakers: Sisay, Fish, Abere
and Genet shared their vocation with
the club members on: the role of sugar
in the body, preparing business plan for
small and medium enterprises, voluntary
“Every Rotary club should be made a forum before
interventions and safe and secure
which vital economic and social problems may be
computing.
fairly and intelligently discussed. Club programs
should stimulate thought, widen the horizon, and
1) Is it true? 2) Is it fair to all deepen conviction.” - The Program for the Year,
concerned?
THE ROTARIAN, August 1920
3) Will it build
good will and better 4) Will it be
friendship? beneficial to all
concerned?
8

6. Experience Sharing on Service
Women Economic Empowerment above Self
Joshua: Government support, internal control system such as high-
ly organized book-keeping system, recording their income and ex-
By Joshua Alemayehu, penses have helped. There is an intense monitoring of the women’s
saving, business process, and they were taught how to diversify their
January 11, 2012 business so that they would gain in one even if they lose in another.
Finot invited the first guest speaker of the New Year, Joshua Ale- Finot: What were your challenges?
mayehu, the National Director of The Ethiopian Assemblies of God Joshua: The project started on a shaky ground of corruption and
Church Aid and Development Association (EAGC-ADA) to share their was handed over to us. Hence, there was a mistrust by government,
experiences with Finot in women economic empowerment and the beneficiaries and donors. However, this was curbed as we developed
award given by the government recognizing the impact of the project. a transparent system whereby all concerned parties are involved to
make decisions on purchases, fund management and expenditures.
Finot: How did you start the project? Second, we had big challenges from the beneficiaries. They could
Joshua: EAGC-ADA’s major donors are USAID Ethiopia and not accept the donor’s decision to select only top twenty women to
Convoy of Hope; their fund has helped us to provide startup capi- benefit from the economic empowerment project. This was dis-
tal, skill-based trainings, food for about 1850 direct beneficiaries cussed with donors and settled. The transparent fund management
and 8000 indirect beneficiaries. Socio-economic baseline survey also convinced the donors to allow us to increase the number.
has been carried out before implementation. This
baseline was very useful to identify feasible business Finot: Tell us about the success of
ideas in the sub-city and assess the socio-economic your organization?
background of the women. Based on this survey, we Joshua: I believe the transparent
found that Lideta is one of the poorest sub-city. The system, the seed money in terms of
donors requested EAGC-ADA to select and train the material, the training, the follow up
top 16-35 women who would get special training on and the reporting system have paid
micro saving. As a pilot, twenty women were trained. off. Our success is based on our
6500 birr capital was given for 96 selected individu- policies and methodologies. The
als. However, due to appeals from the beneficiaries, community-based participatory ap-
the number of people who would get training on proach has helped us to get today’s
micro-enterprise grew up to be 550. Seed grant of achievements. For example, our ben-
5000 birr worth materials were bought and given eficiaries directly involve in purchase
to them after successfully completing the trainings. of goods- this has helped them to
build trust and push the organization
Finot: What were your selection criteria for the ben- to success. Our organization is also a
eficiaries and what did you do with them? corruption free organization which has also played a great role for
Joshua: A selection criterion was developed in collaboration with our success. We fight careless usage of financial and other resourc-
the local government. The criterion was mainly of: age, disadvan- es, which is a direct cause for our success. The other thing is that
taged individuals who haven’t got support from other NGOs, women EAGC-ADA has applied a social accountability scheme. We directly
family head, who has residential ID cards and interested individuals. bring the voice of the poor to a stage and engage them in decision
The women were selected from the poorest of the poor. We did making. We help them exercise their rights to audit the implement-
wealth screening by visiting each women. We gave them ten days ing agency- EAGC-ADA. Our commitment to work jointly with the
theoretical and ten days practical training before they start their government and other stakeholders has also played a great role in
business. There was also an entry-exam, written and interview, making the organization successful.
right after the ten days training. Later on refresher training was
organized after three months. Each beneficiary had 60-600 birr income per day. There is a lady
who gets 15,000 per month from her three restaurants she runs in
Finot: What types of training do you give? big construction sites by selling food and drinks to workers. To see
Joshua: Fast food, sewing and embroidery, injera baking, leather lives changed of the poor women means to see a self-sustained fami-
work, handicraft, traditional coffee, breakfast and mini restau- ly, her kids have proper education, hope and future. Hence women’s
rants, male and female beauty salons, poultry, and other micro economic empowerment with the above system available was found
trading businesses. to work out well.
Finot: What kind of changes did you see in the lives of the trained Though the startup and the process to establish the integrity of the
women who started their business? project faced lots of challenges, through time and efforts as well as
Joshua: More than 80% of the targeted groups have started to the commitment of the workers, the face of the project has changed
generate an average income of 60-600 birr per day, which is a tre- enhancing visible impact in the lives of women. Hence, the govern-
mendous result of the project. As a matter of fact, we were sup- ment wrote a letter of acknowledgement to the organization about
posed to train 550 destitute women. We, however, went beyond the exemplary work that should be scaled up by involving many oth-
that and reach out to 940. These women have also started to de- er poor women in the sub-city.
posit some amount of money. This can be considered as one of the
strategic moves that the project has passed. Our beneficiaries have Finot: Why did you choose to buy materials with the seed money
learnt the value of saving. Now, almost all of them have managed instead of establishing revolving fund?
to save birr 200 monthly. Joshua: At first the project was designed to be revolving for sus-
tainability sake, however, it did not get acceptance by the funding
The women have also organized themselves in twelve cooperatives agencies.
and got a legal license from the government. These women became
a good example in their surroundings by bringing a remarkable re- Finot: How could Rotarians involve in communities?
sult. After starting their business, the ladies began to send their Joshua: The poor always live with us. Finot can design projects for
children to school, provide their families with food, clothing, and children who live in the street, destitute women, orphans, and many
other necessary materials. Some excelled to the extent of hiring others who do not have sustainable support.
others to run their business.
Inspired by the presentation, Finot submitted a project on women eco-
Finot: What do you think enabled these women to change? nomic empowerment to TRF sponsored by Rotary clubs in Switzerland.
Finot would like to appreciate Joshua and is looking forward to working
closely with EAGC-ADA.
10 11

7. Service
above Self
Sugar and the Human Body Diabetes is group of metabolic, a lifelong (chronic) disease
in which there are high levels of sugar in the blood, either
By Sisay Kifle, because the body does not produce enough insulin, or because
January 18, 2012 cells do not respond to the insulin that is produced.
At the beginning of the Rotary year, Finot established If the body does not produce insulin, we may eat food and
a member speaker session. Sisay was the first member yet feel starved since the cells cannot absorb glucose without
speaker for the New Year. Sisay insulin. In fact, for a person whose insulin production fails, s/
is a chemist by profession who he must get insulin shots everyday to survive. People with Type
has a good deal of experience in 1 diabetes or no insulin secretion must have a replacment of
plastic technology and industrial artificial insulin through injection.
chemistry and the immediate
past president of the Club. Those who suffer from Type 2 diabetes, commonly known for
Today, Sisay talks about sugar in high blood-glucose, there is insulin deficiency. Hence, oral
relation to human body. medicine is given for treatment and they rarely need insulin
shots.
Sucrose is commonly known as
sugar. It is made up of sugar cane Major negative impact of sugar on human health are:
or sugar beets. The composition • Sugar affects the brain (serotonin), teeth, and pancreas.
of sucrose is a combination of
glucose and fructose, which • Sugar affects bones for it has an acidic effect by releasing
separates during digestion. calcium ion.
Pure sucrose is devoid of any
nutrients. Glucose is the simple sugar made by human body • Sugar affects the body by creating deficiencies: it takes all
through digestion of carbohydrates. It is the body’s chief vitamins, mineral and essential substances from the food
source of energy. Sometimes glucose is called dextrose. we eat. Moreover, whenever there is an excess energy,
whether from sugar, protein or fat, they all get converted
There are two major sources of sugar: natural sugar and to and stored in fat cells creating obesity.
processed sugar. These are classified in to five major
classes: fruit and milk; raw honey; agaves nectar; plant • Sugar affects the immune system.
crops and corn syrup. Natural sources of sugar are those
naturally gained in fruits, honey, milk, and cereals. Fruits • Sugar affects the heart making it susceptible to clogged
like bananas, prunes, pineapples, tangerines, oranges, arteries, hypertension (high blood pressure), weak
grapefruits and grapes are known to have particularly high arteries, strokes and heart attacks.
sugar content; while from vegetables potatoes, peas, carrots
and corn have high content of sugar. Symptoms of diabetes: frequent urination, frequent
thirsty, lack of energy and feeling tired, blurred eye vision,
Processed sugars are extracted from plant sources such too much hunger feelings than usual, unusual sudden weight
as sugar cane and sugar beets. Other factory processed loss, dry and itchy skin, losing sense or tingling in feet, sore
products that have high sugar are: soft drinks, cakes, ice- heels.
cream, candy, and chocolate.
Diabetes Management: controlling the type and amount
Energy from glucose is obtained from the oxidation reaction. of food, being physically active, losing overweight/mainianing
Carbohydrates along with fats and proteins represent the a healty body weight, monitoring glucose level, taking A1C
three main types of foods that we eat. Sugar metabolism is test, taking prescribed medicine, having regular check ups,
an ongoing process that breaks down sugar, or glucose, into controlling blood pressure, ensuring foot care, taking aspirin,
energy required by the body to function properly. smoking cessation, and avoiding stress and alcohol.
This sugar (glucose) is changed to glycogen through glycols Globally, as of 2010, an estimated 285 million people have
for future needs. The changing process from glucose/ type 2 diabetes, making up about 90 percent of all diabetes
sucrose to glycogen is facilitated by insulin which is cases. Hence, attention should be given to the effect of sugar
produced by pancreas. If the proportion of insulin is less on the body.
than the sugar deposited in the body, then bulk amount of
sugar will start to be deposited in the blood. This will be the TIPS: Here is the daily intake for an average 70 kg person.
onset of crisis whereby insulin produced by our body will no Protein: 180 grams = 720 calories; Carbohydrate: 600 grams
longer effectively address the deposited sugar. = 2400 calories; Fat: 75 grams = 675 calories which total
Caloric Intake = 3795 calories.
Insulin is a hormone (a protein) secreted by groups of
cells within the pancreas. Food gets digested, and glucose Let the one who has listening ears, let him/her take
is absorbed from the intestines into the bloodstream after heed! Thanks Sis for drawing our attention to this
a meal. The cell with insulin attached can absorb sugar side of health reality!
glucose from the blood stream and burn it for energy. In
people who do not have diabetes, the body makes the right
amount of insulin on its own. However, those who have
diabetes, require certain quantity of external insulin for the
body to function properly.
12 13

8. Service
Experience Sharing on above Self
Involvement in Humanitarian Works Abere: By the way, I am married to Adere woman and we
have two children. I love my wife for she is such a committed
By Abere Mihrete, person in all my life’s ups and downs. We learned how to live
January 25, 2012 with our religious and ethnic differences so we never had big
fights over these issues.
The Founder of Finot started to share his testimony about his
life especially in relation to humanitarian activities and family
life. Abere continued the second part of his story emphasizing
his voluntary humanitarian activities and his family life.
Finot: The other time you discussed how you started Anti-
Malaria Association and its Accomplishments thus far. Now
we would like to know about your future plan.
Abere: In 2015, we have planned to control malaria by
increasing our interventions from thirty-nine woreda to
ninety-three. We have included cross-cutting issues to work
on along with malaria interventions. We budgeted about 145
million birr to work on HIV/AIDS, environmental health,
as well as reproductive health in addition to malaria control
initiatives.
Finot: How many members does Anti-Malaria Association Before I established Anti-Malaria Association, I was
have? complaining about how the government did not take action
Abere: We have about 540 active members who pay when malaria killed thousands in Gojjam. My wife questioned
membership fee regularly by which thirty-eight of them are my unsubstantial complaints and asked me what role did I
life-long members. assume to curb the problem. That was how I revisited my
complaints and started acting on the problem.
Finot: Apart from Anti-Malaria Association, tell us about
your humanitarian involvements? Finot: Have you ever had any challenge in implementing
Abere: I am a life time member of Red Cross and Red your vision in terms of your family life?
Crescent Society, the Ethiopian Family Guidance Association, Abere: Of course, it lowered our income. I used to teach
the Ethiopian Public Health Association, the Children Heart’s at the Italian school and earned additional 5000 birr and I
Fund and the Health, Development as well as the Anti Malaria also had many other part-time work to support my family.
Association. I am a member of Dire Dawa Trust Fund, Gojjam All those were cut off for I could not devote my time chasing
Development Association and Mathiwos Wondu-YeEthiopia part-time jobs and establish the Association at the same time.
Cancer Society. I am a board member of an American based In addition to the income cut off, my precious time with my
foundation called, Health and Climate Foundation and family was compromised severely.
of course I am the President Elect of Finot Rotary Club for
2012/13. Of course, after tolerating for some time, my wife and kids gave
me an ultimatum: either you choose your family and live with
Finot: What motivates you to be involved in so many us or marry your voluntary work and leave us alone. I gave
voluntary works? the challenge back to them drawing their attention to see the
Abere: I believe in voluntaryism. I believe that the face of situation. In the beginning, I reminded my wife her convicting
our country will change if we have the attitude of providing conversation, the present success obtained just because I
voluntary services in different areas of life. Anti-Malaria was willing to sacrifice and let many live. I enumerated the
Association could be a very good example of voluntaryism. It lives we were able to redeem after the interventions through
was established by volunteers, sustained by volunteers, and the years and let thousands survive. Then I let my wife and
reached this far by volunteers and we are changing the history kids compare that with the time and money for the family’s
of people who die to Malaria. Hence, same thing can apply in luxurious life style. They changed their attitude and were
other areas of our lives. If we all contribute some money for willing to reconsider their request and let me live for what
big project one time, we can build schools, factories, business I believe and we deciding to go with bare minimum of
entities that support many others. livelihood: food, clothing and school. So I was able to win the
family back and asked them to go on sacrificing for that cost of
Finot: What did you accomplish being a Rotarian? our comfort is meant to save the lives of many. They basically
Abere: Before I became a member of RC Finot, I was a did cost-benefit analysis between their comfort versus the
member of RC of East. Four years ago, in collaboration with survival of many people. I was happy that they decided to let
Rotary Club of Bahirdar, and a sponsoring club of Rotaplast, me be where my heart aches. Fortunately, we never lacked a
we managed to have lip and gum surgery for 115 people at thing to live on. Of course, we do not have luxurious life yet
Felege Yordanos Hospital. After I joined the RC of Finot, in lead incomparably meaningful and fulfilled one.
collaboration with RC of Greenland, we managed to get five
hand dug wells and one foot bridge for Amhara region. Finot expresses its gratitude again to the Father
of the Rotary Club of Finot, Abere for showing
Finot: How did your involvement in all these humanitarian exemplary attitude of voluntaryism.
activities affect your family life? May your plans be fulfilled and dreams come true!
14 15

9. Service
above Self
Growing Towards Global Brands soleRebels is based on the revolutionary idea that to tru-
Viz a Vis. AID ly enjoy lasting development, developing nations produc-
Renown Entrepreneur - Bethlehem Tilahun
ers must create, grow and control successful global brands and
the equity developed in them.
February 1, 2012 Finot: What made you think about shoes business?
Bethlehem is mentioned as one the Bethlehem: I wanted to start from what is available in our
panelist in the innovation column community and create a job for many who specialized in their
of the 22nd World Economic Forum skills. I saw that we can harness the potential of artisan skills
on Africa, held in May 2012 for the and indigenous eco-sensible craft heritages and wanted to
channel them into a sustainable, global, fair trade footwear
first time in Africa. soleRebels’ business. Footwear was an excellent platform to begin explor-
founder and CEO, Bethlehem ing the business world.
Tilahun, a fair trade certified green
footwear company based in Ethiopia Finot: What is your vision or future plan?
was the guest of honor and speaker, Bethlehem: As Nike, Addidas, Timberland, and Puma are
who motivated Rotary Club of Finot very well known quality brands, I would like soleRebels to
members to think outside the box. Thanks Beth for the be a known, and preferred African quality brand shoes. By the
motivational presentation! way, almost all our materials are locally available, thereby cre-
ating an export product from 100% local inputs. We recreate
Finot: Tell us about your family and educational background. the traditional “selate” and “barabasso” shoes from a recycled
Bethlehem: I was born and raised in one of Addis Ababa’s car tyre to sole shoes.
most impoverished neighborhoods, Zenebwok, from poor
family. I studied accounting. I am married and a mother of Finot: Do you have lo-
three. cal market?
Bethlehem: We have
Finot: How did you get into the business world? opened a shop around
Sar Bet, Adam’s Pavil-
Bethlehem: I established soleRebels in 2004/5 hoping
ion building for local
to increase employment in my community. I was employed
consumers. However,
by different organizations but was very dissatisfied with my
most of our buyers are
life, the lives of my family and neighborhood. So I thought
still foreigners.
about how we can use locally available material like the
tyre to create a job for myself, my family and many others. Finot: What are your challenges in business?
Luckily, the business I started, soleRebels, has not only Bethlehem: It is not without hardships that I reached this
created hundreds of local jobs, but it has since become an far. Online business is risky but we minimize the risk by not
internationally recognized eco-fashion brand. We use local producing large quantity for store. We do it on-demand basis.
artisans who craft comfortable footwear. We combine modern Second, local communities who would like to get a job are of-
design and cultural heritage giving authentic and yet stylish fered but they despise to start from the scratch and build their
shoes. There are about 200 supply chain in the business who way up. So working on the attitude of some people to value
work on leather, cotton, etc. work has been quite a challenge.
Finot: How do you see yourself now?
Finot: Tell us how you do business? Bethlehem: Thriving. I believe in myself and wanted to rec-
Bethlehem: As I said, we started with locally available reate that in others. We all can change the color of our country
material but used technology to accept and send online orders by working harder and creatively. I am a person who would not
abroad. We provide handmade shoes and send by DHL. Our want to settle for less. I got some tempting opportunities to
customer service is very strong, accepts orders every day and sell my organization for bigger companies. However, I decided
ensure dispatching within 3-5 days. However, we started very never to get rid of my baby for immediate satisfaction. I want
simple with flip flap shoes. E-commerce is not very much to see my baby grow bigger and I want to decide on my com-
known and practiced in Ethiopia so we use franchising system pany’s destiny not on a short-sighted immediate benefits but
and/or our company which operates abroad to track our on the sustainable results.
accounts.
Finot: Tell us about your international recognition?
Finot: Why on earth would you add the word “rebel” in your Bethlehem: soleRebels is the
brand? first WFTO/IFAT FAIR TRADE certi-
Bethlehem: I have observed the lives of many Ethiopians fied footwear firm and the number one
who get support from family members who live abroad. The footwear exporter to the US market.
recipients would sit hands folded and expect financial support This marks us as the forerunner of a
to come every month from those who sweat out day and night changing dynamic in Ethiopia, a his-
to earn their living. I believe this easy money sent monthly toric and vital shift away from aid and
demotivates the recipients to strive to overcome their poverty. towards trade as well as a critical push
At the country level, I also see the amount of aid we receive to control our destiny by exporting higher value branded fin-
from donor countries and yet did not observe sustainable ished goods instead of low value commodity exports. Recently,
change in the lives of the citizen. In a sense, I am rebelling
against the status quo of “aid” and promoting hard work, soleRebels won $50,000 USD prize at Africa’s elite business
creativity, networking, commitment to fight against poverty awards and gained business icon Sir Richard Branson as new
and capitalize on the available artisan talents. fan at the Africa Awards for entrepreneurship, sponsored by
Legatum, the Omidyar Network, and Google!
16 17

10. Service
above Self
Corporate Social Responsibilities providing a feeding center; training to mothers of less
of the Business World privileged families, clothing for Christmas to juvenile
prisoners; providing sandal shoes for less privileged children
By Dawit Hailu, within our Kebele are some of the initiatives for community
February 15, 2012 service.
How does WDC Benefit from the CSR? From workplace
Use
community perspective, WDC is a workplace that provides
You
training to its staff members. This encourages workers in
their personal development and increases personal belonging.
r
Bus Training takes place every six months and each employee is
encouraged to have personal development plan. On the other
in
hand, engaging in social programs has increased cohesion
ess t
amongst staff members which in return created good working
atmosphere therby increasing efficiency. Third, it gives WDC
o se
the opportunity to identify what type of skill we have and
rve
what kind of skill we need to acquire. Fourth, it gives us the
opportunity to see the unseen gap within our community.
you
From the wider community perspective, WDC provides
r co
free CT scan services for those who come from government
mm
hospitals. Few chances are given to doctors to refer patients
when they were found eligible.
unit
“Man’s instinct for making
y!
and amassing wealth…the
profit motive…cannot be rooted
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is about out from human nature either by the
understanding your business’ impact on the wider world
and considering how you can use this impact in a positive
sword or by legislation. Let us make all the
way. It also means taking a responsible attitude, going legitimate profit we can, but, in doing so, let the
beyond the minimum legal requirements and following basis of that profit be service to all concerned.
straightforward principles that apply irrespective of the size Idealism in practice should be characteristic
of business. CSR is a global initiative and a human right of the Rotary movement.”
issue. There are guiding principles on business and human
rights by the United Nations “Protect, Respect and Remedy”
— That’s a Good Question,
THE ROTARIAN, March 1963
Framework recommendation. This recommendation states
about governments duty and the corporate responsibility of PAGUME FOR HEALTH is a program that was started three
business people. years ago. All staff members were enthusiastically involved
Some take CSR as a business strategy, I take CSR as a to provide free CT scan service to the poor who were referred
poverty alleviation strategy. It is thinking for our neighbors by the health professionals from government hospitals. WDC
and putting other people in mind when doing business. writes to government hospitals about the provision and those
For me, it is being human to care for the less advantaged who are eligible for the free scan service would benefit from
and benefiting others. Moreover, assuming CSR provides this expensive diagnosis. Normally, one CT scan service costs
personal satisfaction. about 1000 birr. Obtaining this opportunity for free is a
dream come true for the poor.
In Ethiopia, CSR is not as such very well known by business
entities nor given emphasis to make impact on others. From social responsibility perspective, it motivates us to
Nevertheless, there are local initiatives such as tele-tone, see especially children, to come for a CT scan diagnosis and
fund raising for NGOs [lib himuman, autism, orphans, thereafter their lives changed due to identifying their health
etc.] There is environmental protection for business problems. It also benefits employees in different ways.
organizations need to take into consideration if it affects the Employees found it rewarding working for company that cares
environment. Big projects are asked to incorporate HIV/ for the community. It avails the opportunity for employees to
AIDS in their proposal. get them involved with lots of different less privileged people
and handle massive cases within short period of time whereby
For Wudassie, our communities are: workplace, increasing their efficiency. I believe we gain by building
neighborhood, and government hospitals. We are commited good will from the community and has increased efficiency
to support local causes, involving within our local community of service provision. Goodwill also has its own business
and the wider environment initiatives. Caring for the health advantage. Hence, I encourage business entities to come up
and well being of our staff and ensuring they have sufficient with their own ways of involving in communities both as a
training and development is one way to address the workers way of fulfilling their responsibilities and increasing demand
community needs. Staff development involves training of for their business as well as to increase their satisfaction for
staff members beyond the work related issues and providing living.
training for weavers.
Finot would like to express its deep gratitude for the
Second, WDC focuses on being actively involved in societal challenging experience sharing by the owner and General
causes. Providing FREE CT scan for patients who could not Manager of WDC - Wishing Ethiopia has multiplied
Dawits who care for their communities as they succeed
afford to pay for the diagnosis service;
in business!
18 19

11. Service
above Self
How to Prepare Business Plan The advantages of preparing business plan are:
for Small and Medium Enterprises • It shows or reflects the business situation,
• It provides management framework to business and keep
By Fisseha Shanko, track of performance and arising opportunities,
• It provides information to business lenders, investors and
February 22, 2012
bankers,
• It shows the feasibility of the business,
• It shows all aspects of the business currently and into the
future,
• It is a guide to the making of business decision, to change
or to modify the business.
“Some small and medium enterprises
are now emergng fast but dying fast
too. This is because the order of the
day in doing business has changed.
Hence, the wise investor would go for
developing business plan to survive
the current challenges and sustain the
business.”
Our forefathers, in the business community had successful
business but never had as such a written plan. Why do we
need to have it now? Big businesses of course use consul-
tants to conduct feasibility study before they invest, but do
small and medium enterprises need business plan?
vice is
Fisseha, the Treasurer of the Club, is the member speaker
who is at present in the sercice sector who provides pro-
curement, cusom clearance, stationary and other business-
es. He presented how to prepare a business plan from both
S er
our
t y!
theoretical perspectives and practical experiences. Thanks
special
Fish for the wonderful presentation and sharing your ups
and downs in business with the Club members!
Business plan is a document compiled to reflect the vari-
ous dimensions of a businesses like:
• Why the business plan is needed, • Procurement Service
on the way to Meskel Flower
• The objective of the business,
• Customs Clearing Service
In front of Yared Church,
• The business concept,
FITS Pvt. Ltd Co.
• The operational process,
• The outcome from the business, and • Lab Equipment and Chemicals
• Forecasted problems with problem solving strate-
gies. • Stationary Supplies
It is also prepared to provide framework of long-term busi- • Office Machines and Furniture
ness prospective so as to reach new goals by separating into
short-, medium- and long-term targets. • Computers and Accessories
If this is the case and the purpose, then why do many entre- • Gift Articles
preneurs or business people fail to have business plan? The
following are major reasons not to develop business plans: • TeM Drinking Water Filter
• Lack of awareness of the value of a business plan,
• Considering the preparation as a difficult task, • Books
• Absence of qualified staff, Tel 251-11-466-3489/93,
• Thinking that no need for it as market by its nature is Fax 251-11-4663490, P.O. Box 2107,
volatile, and E-mail fits@ethionet.et
• Some think that it is only useful to obtain bank loan.
20

12. Service
You Are a Dynamite!!!
above Self
By Yodit Hizikiel, Words To Live By
February 29, 2012
A teacher by profession, Yodit won a Toast Master Award on It’s not how much you accomplish in life
public speech. Today she is here to motivate Finot members that really counts,
to unleash our power and live life in its fullest. Finot did not but how much you give to other.
have to be a certifying body to recognize and appreciate Yodit’s
It’s not how high you build your dreams
ability and motivational speech. Thanks Yodit - the Dynamite!
that makes a difference,
Do you know what a dynamite is? A powerful explosive invented but how high your faith can climb.
by Alfred Nobel. It is used It’s not how many goals you reach,
for war and mining. It is but how many lives you touch.
a potential energy that is
It’s not who you know that matters,
stored within a system.
but who you are inside.
Human beings are created Believe in the impossible,
with a lot of energy - hold tight to the incredible,
Potential that is supposed and live each day to its fullest potential.
to work by cultivating You can make a difference
extraordinary power that
are lie within us. These
in your world.
potenails are largely ~ Rebecca Barlow Jordan ~
untapped but reside in all
people. As Rotarians do
you have talents not yet “I have not
tapped? A balloon has a failed. I have just
power but if you do not let
it go, does nothing. found 10,000 ways
First, using your potential starts that won’t work.”
with how you look at yourself. What
do you see when you look at your- Honorary Rotarian,
self? Do you see a person with great Thomas Edison,
potential or do you see incapable, Electric Bulb Inventor and
tied, person? The way we see our- owner of 1900 patents for
selves matter the way we act? When new products
the cat sees itself, it sees a big lion.
The perception of a lion in the cat
makes the cat act differently. Our eyes “Never, Never,
should be on the finishing end points, Never, quit!”
and not on our difficulties.
Honorary Rotarian,
Second, to use your potential to the
fullest, it requires taking a risk. What are the blocks that Winston Churchill
hinder us to take a step in our lives,
to unleash the power within us?
Usually, it is the fact that we would
not like to take a risk to move out. We
would rather stay in our place that
“One person can
are familiar. Fear is an incapacitating make a difference and
emotion that imprisons us not to every person should
cultivate our potential.
Third, choosing complacency is try.”
a hindrance not to explore what we can
possibly do higher, bigger and better. Our President John F. Kennedy.
potential is thwarted by the complacency
of life. If you stay where you are, you’re
not gonna get where you want to be. Take
a risk!!! Either you succeed or fail. If you
fail, you’ll discover that apporach did not
Are you going to
work, so you will search another that works just sit there with
but don’t stay where you are.
Fourth, Eleanor Roosevell stated, “Do one thing that scares all your potential...?
you everyday.” If you do it, it’s not gonna be scary any more.
Hence to unleash our potential, we can work on our limitations
22 that binds us not to move forward, one day at a time. 23

13. Service
above Self
An Overview of Common Memory Problems: Causes could be due to Dementia, a syndrome that
Neurological Disorders
can be caused by a number of progressive disorders that affect memory,
thinking, behavior, and the ability to perform everyday activities. World-
wide dementia is es-
timated to increase
By Tsega H. Orcutt, to 65.7 million by
March 7, 2012 2030 and 115.4 mil-
lion by 2050. Near-
ly 66% live in low
“To be relevant to the Ethiopian context, I tried to google and find in- and middle income
formation on the pattern of neurological diseases, interventions avail- countries.
able, material/equipment and human resources. Unfortunately, not
available in the web and the info I got through friends has some dif- Most common form
ferences from the practice in the US.” Today’s guest speaker is Tsega of dementia is Al-
H. Orcutt, RN, MSN, CNP who lives in USA and practices neurology. zheimer’s disease.
Finot is grateful to find such a brilliant professional. Alzheimer’s is NOT
a normal part of ag-
Tsega started with ing. It is the 6th lead-
explaining what neu- ing cause of death in
rological diseases the U.S. According to World Alzheimer Report, (2010) about 35.6 mil-
are: These are diseas- lion people have dementia worldwide. 5.4 million Americans of all ages
es that affect central have AD (Alzheimer’s Association 2011). 5.2 million are 65 and older;
and peripheral ner- 200,000 are under 65 (younger-onset Alzheimer’s). Medications are
vous system, which used to treat behavioral disturbances and improve cognition.
include the brain,
spinal cord, cranial Movement Disorders are neurological disorders that cause involun-
nerves, peripheral tary abnormal movements. Abnormally slow or excessive movements
nerves, nerve roots, usually affect: walking, coordination, rapid alternating movements and
autonomic nervous fine motor movements such as, using utensils, writing, typing, knitting,
system, neuro-mus- shaving, buttoning and so forth. Parkinson’s Disease is a progressive
cular junction, and neurodegenerative movement disorder that is caused by degeneration
muscles. of dopamine cells in the brain. It is the 14th leading cause of death in
the U.S. Worldwide, it is estimated that 4 - 6 million people suffer from
The diseases include epilepsy, Alzheimer disease, cerebrovascular dis- PD. Prevalence and incidence rates of PD in Africa appears lower than
eases including stroke, migraine and other headache disorders, multi- Europe and North America. Various medications are used for treatment
ple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease (PD), neuro-infections, brain tumors, to control symptom. There is no cure or treatment to delay the progres-
traumatic disorders of the nervous system such as brain trauma, and sion of the disease. Surgical treatment with Deep Brain Stimulation is
neurological disorders as a result of malnutrition. also used.
To assess neurological disorders, thorough history and complete phys- Tremor Disorders, another common movement disorders, is a rhyth-
ical exam are needed. Physical exam includes mental status, cranial mic and fluctuating movement of a body part with relatively constant
nerves, heart, lung, abdomen, muscle strength, tone, coordination/ frequency and variable amplitude. The most common one is Essential
gait/balance, sensation, and reflexes. Tremor, which is a progressive neurological condition that causes a
rhythmic trembling of the hands, head, voice, legs, or trunk. Predomi-
Diseases that affect Mental Status have an effect on: 1) Level nantly occurs with action and posture holding. Up to 50% of this is in-
of alertness 2) Language: fluency, repetition, naming, comprehension, herited and there is no medication for it. Heart and seizure medications
reading and writing and 3) Memory: concrete thinking, abstraction, are used for symptom control. Surgical option is available with Deep
calculation, executive function. Brain Stimulation.
Decreased Alertness: Causes could be due to lack of oxygen to the Headache (HA) is another neurological problem. According to the In-
brain, high /low blood sugar, epilepsy (seizures), tumor, trauma (Eg. ternational Headache Society, primary HAs are migraine, tension-Type,
motor vehicle accidents), toxins – (Eg. Alcohol), cerebrovascular dis- Cluster, and other primary headaches; and secondary HAs are various
ease, and others. Treatment varies depending on the underlying cause. types of diseases that cause HAs like infection, head/neck trauma, sub-
stance use or its withdrawal. Treatment consists of various oral (abortive
Epilespy is an abnormal firing of the brain cells that affects level of and preventive) and injectable medications. Botox injections are also
consciousness. In between seizure episodes, people experience normal used.
neurological function. Worldwide, there are 50 million people who suf-
fer from epilepsy, out of which 3 million are Americans; almost 90% Sleep Disorders: Insomnia is a Latin word, which means “no sleep.”
are found in developing regions. Epilepsy responds to treatment 70% It is the inability to fall asleep or remain asleep. Insomnia is also used
of the time and 75% of affected people in developing countries do not to describe the condition of waking up not feeling restored or refreshed.
get the treatment they need. People with epilepsy and their families Half of all those who have experienced insomnia blame the problem on
can suffer from stigma and discrimination in many parts of the world. stress and worry. Sometimes it is caused by pain, digestive problems, de-
pression, anxiety, or other underlying medical, neurological, or mental
Language Problems: Causes could be due to cerebrovascular dis-
conditions.
ease (stroke or “brain attack), blood clot plugging blood vessel in the
brain or breakage of a blood vessel in the brain. The acronym – FAST
According to the National Center for Sleep Disorders Research at the
is used to describe stroke signs: Facial droop; Arm weakness; Speech
National Institutes of Health, about 30-40% of adults have some symp-
changes and Time. Stroke can affect the language center, which can
toms of insomnia within a given year. About 10-15% of adults say they
cause difficulty speaking or understanding. Brain tumor can also have
have chronic insomnia. The treatment includes medications, behavioral
similar effects. Treatment includes surgical intervention, medication,
therapy, stimulus control therapy, relaxation techniques, and establish-
and rehab.
ing and maintaining healthy sleep habits.
The WHO statistics shows that 15 million people suffer from stroke
worldwide each year. Of these, 5 million die and another 5 million are In your bulletin, I read that March is Literacy Month – Literacy means
permanently disabled. Each year in the U.S. > 700,000 strokes occur. knowledge, learning, mastery, familiarity, awareness, and understand-
It is the 3rd leading cause of death in the U.S. 75% of all strokes occur ing. So I urge you to increase your awareness of neurological disorders,
in people above age 65. High blood pressure contributes to more than epilepsy, and stroke signs – FAST. Monitor your blood pressure, control
12.7 million strokes worldwide. Up to 80% of strokes are preventable. high blood pressure, set good example to others, and finally maintain
In developed countries, incidence is declining due to efforts to lower healthy sleep habits.
24 blood pressure and reduce smoking. 25

14. Service
Minding the Mind above Self
Mx“” Mw ”uM!
Third, Reason. Questioning and reasoning are very im-
By Dr. Mehret Debede, portant functions of the mind that help us to live an exam-
March 14, 2012 ined life. The “Ws” and the “H” questions help us to debate
“Isn’t it surprising that we do not give attention to the mind and let our minds be sharpened. At times, Ethiopians feel
though we use it everyday and lead our lives with it?”, said Dr. intimidated when they are questioned, or feel bad if our ideas
Mehret Debebe, a Psychiatrist by profession who lives in the fight, or we personalize and start to attack others if they have
USA, the guest speaker for March 14, 2012. Thanks Dr. Mehret different opinion. Round table discussion, one-to-one men-
for your thought provoking message for us to mind our mind! toring, reasoning are the ways we develop critical thinking.
Have you ever questioned why the people who built Lalibela
Understanding this thing called, “The Mind” is a critical point did not transfer the knowledge to others? Would that be an
in our lives. The mind-body connection has been argued to fig- indicator that it could be done by foreigners? We need to
ure out one’s role in relation explore and fight suppressive thinking for us to develop our
to the other. mind. Not questioning is a sign of ignorance, not knowing.
Why is it accepted when Fourth, Attitude. This is an aspect of the mind that de-
some express love by putting termines where we should go. It is a mind’s direction set-
spear in the heart and if one ter. Some hold the attitude of “You are innocent until you
puts spear in the mind, he is are proven guilty.” Others keep “You are guilty, until you
considered murdering? are proven innocent.” How we operate is determined by
our inner inclination towards life, people, service, etc. We
There was a Mexican guy who
can work on our attitudes and change it to the desired direc-
had heart transplant and he
tion. I believe we need to start with trust and not mistrust.
used to mention the name of
It is more powerful to operate on trust and positive attitudes
a lady whom he did not know
than downers. The eastern philosophy of law of attraction
and expresses his love to his
is sometimes taken too far. It has truth but not all truth.
wife in particular private moment mentioning that name. When
ViKtor Frankl’s book “Man’s search for meaning” states that
discovered, the person whom he had his heart had a wife whose
the ultimate human freedom is the freedom to control our
name this person was calling. Are our organ cells have brain
attitude toward the situations we inherit. We do not have to
storage? In the psycho-immunology study, smallpox, measles
respond to stimuli like Pavlovian dogs. No one can take this
were considered to have a brain in their cells. How about our
ultimate freedom away.
organs - do they have brain cells? Our brain is the headquarters
of the mind but our other organs must register information too. Fifth, Motivation. This is a fuel for mind. Why do you
do the things you do? What ticks you? Fear of punishment,
Some people try to compare the brain with man made computer
reward, obligation to fulfill responsibilities given, or others?
in order to understand how the human brain functions. How-
One thing I believe in is that human beings would not thrive
ever, we cannot compare them for a computer is created by hu-
if their motivating factor is fear. The brain operates in free-
man and the emotional, reasoning, judging, valuing aspects of
dom, which includes thinking, imagination, creativity and
the brain is missing in computers.
expression.
It is said that the difference between a scientist and a technician
Sixth, Language. This is the facilitator of brain use. It
is a scientist keeps on asking but when s/he stops asking, s/he
is the power of language that determines civilization, under-
becomes a technician. Meaning - a technician’s job is maintain-
standing, and communication. Learning language is a cru-
ing the status. We become maintenance workers when we stop
cial factor for brain development. People develop as they
asking, thinking inventively, inquiring for new things. Same as
express themselves with languages. This is the best way we
Children, who ask questions all the time. When they grow up,
communicate with the outer world.
they reach a stage of being adults, and stop asking for they are
now expected to “know.” It sounds ridiculous. Inquiring is one Seventh, Knowledge and Wisdom. This is the highest
way we use our minds to invent. stage whereby data is translated into information then we
acquire knowledge and when we live out what we know as
Why do we have to think about the mind? Let me ask you a
question. If we all Ethiopians go to German and send all the
Germans to Ethiopia, what will happen to the two countries? Is
it the physical place that matters or our attitudes, motivations
and actions? We need to stop the “Blame Game!”
Today I want us to focus on the fundamental brain functions:
First, Imagination. Children have great imaginations before
they develop and become “adults”. Science fiction is the work
of those people whose imaginations were stretched. Albert Ein-
stein said, “Imagination is greater than knowledge for the later
is limited but the former is unlimited. When we study cultural truth, wisdom is gained with novelty.
heritages such as Konso, we see their imagination which cre-
Decisive discipline of the mind includes thinking, praying,
ated their reality.
asking/listening, debating/discussing, planning/implement-
Second, Creativity. Wherever our imagination is, there goes ing, reading/writing, researching/experimenting.
our creativity. Creativity is lateral thinking. We cannot cre-
I would like to urge the Club members to know, think and use
ate what we have not imagined about. Patent rights are to be
consciously your mind and make the most out of it for that
enforced by governments because people’s greed, laziness, ly-
is what directs our lives. Mind your mind! Mx“” Mw ”uM!
ing, and corruption limit creativity of those who would like to
26 stretch higher. 27

15. Service
above Self
Literacy vs. Illiteracy Crisis Scaling up literacy is accelerating national efforts
against poverty. In this regard, since 1905, Ethiopia is
By Samuel Asnake, fighting against illiteracy through various approaches
March 21, 2012 including organizing a campaign, project and integrat-
ed functional literacy programme.
Nevertheless, there is still a long way ahead to make a
literacy programme worth to life and livelihoods. Build-
ing on the minds of the communities, is building on
helping communities realize and act on their problems.
In order to realize this, the context of learning, the cul-
ture of learning and the commitment to learning shall
be the key road map of the program.
When formal education started in Ethiopia during the
fourth century, Christianity was the recognized reli-
gion. The church controlled all education for about
1,500 years.
Rotary International designated the month of March
for Literacy. Hence Finot invited a guest who would
speak on the direct subject matter by relating it to the
Ethiopian context. Samuel Asnake is an Education
Specialist who works at UNESCO with the education
sector. Finot feels honored to have him present on
this interesting topic. Appreciate it, Samuel!
Literacy may mean many things to many people, to
the illiterate or to the literate. In its narrow sense,
basic literacy is about maintaining meaningful com-
munication and interaction through reading and writ-
ing. In its border sense, however, literacy is empower-
ment. In literacy for empowerment, the core matter
is not the learning output but the joint planning and
process toward the desired results; personal or com-
munity. Literacy is a dynamic asset; continuum in
personal and social capital for better change within
lifelong learning process. No single literacy model en-
ables mankind live safe and better. Educational opportunities were seen as the preserve of
Ethiopia’s ruling urban minority. However that ended
Hence, genuine planning to empower learning is far and public education became an option for all citizens
beyond attendance and curriculum completion. It em- and modern education started in 1898 EC.
phasizes on the learner’s liberty, critical thinking and
action on the “why?” the “what?” and then, the “then Prior to 1974, Ethiopia had an estimated illiteracy rate
what?” of the subject and object of learning. If not, well above 90% and compared poorly with the rest of
literacy efforts will hardly bring about added value on Africa in the provision of schools and universities. Af-
the learner and the nation. ter 1974 revolution, emphasis was placed on increasing
functional literacy in rural areas. By 1995 the rate of il-
In reality, illiteracy is not the end of life nor literacy is literacy had dropped substantially to 64.5%. According
the magic bullet for better life. However, unless treated to the World Bank, the literacy rate of youth, total (%
well, both may lead one to a stage of crisis on their own of people ages 15-24) in Ethiopia was reported at 44.61
way. While the illiteracy crisis emanates from being in 2008. Youth literacy rate is the percentage of people
marginalized and disadvantaged to the opportunity ages 15-24 who can, with understanding, read and write
for learning to empower; literacy crisis emanates from a short, simple statement on their everyday life.
the narrow concept of literacy and its dysfunctionality
for personal and social change. In such a context, the Hence, we have long way to improve illiteracy and use
value and motive for literacy and learning declines, literacy for personal and societal change.
assertiveness and the power of reasoning get halted,
productivity and transformation get weak.
28 29