Ethiopia Reads trip advances cause of literacy

A teacher-to-teacher training project sponsored by Ethiopia Reads to share effective literacy techniques with 10 fledgling libraries in schools in and around Addis Ababa, the capital city, took place this summer. U.S. teachers learned about Ethiopian traditions and together with Ethiopian teacher/librarians, collaborated on ways to connect children with reading, using story-telling, music, acting, and art. Ethiopia Reads is a nonprofit, nongovernmental organization that advances the cause of literacy. Two of the leaders of this summer’s expedition to Ethiopia, Jane Kurtz of Hesston, Kansas, and Chris Kurtz of Portland, Oregon, Jane’s brother, have been involved with Ethiopia Reads for many years. Both are IRA members. To see a video about the efforts to encourage literacy and girls’ education in Ethiopia, visit this myspace.com website.