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In view of plush, green land lie acres of barren crops. Marta Gabre-Tsadick,
humanitarian and author of “Shelter by the King” was an
honored guest speaker at Metro on Monday. Metro’s Ethiopian
Student Association (ESA) sponsored the event in collaboration with
the University of Colorado at Boulder chapter of ESA.
Gabre-Tsadick has been an advocate for Ethiopia for over 26 years.
She and her husband, Dameke Takle-Wold, escaped from Ethiopia during
the communism period in 1970. They returned seven years later to create
Project Mercy, an international famine relief and development agency.
“As we escaped from Ethiopia into Kenya, we made a life decision,”
Gabre-Tsadick said. “One of us would no longer work for a livelihood,
but work to help our people.”
Before Gabre-Tsadick spoke, the ESA screened the HDNet documentary
which reported on Ethiopia’s current famine condition. According
the HDNet, 18 million people currently live in Ethiopia. The annual
income is $100 dollars. One out of four are in need of food aid.
Gabre-Tsadick also spoke about the ‘Green Famine’ which
currently plagues Ethiopia. Rain came too late to pollinate, leaving
tall, green and barren crops. One of Project Mercy programs is setting
up feeding centers for starving children and their mothers. The project
also develops funding from growing crops, milk production, and purification
of water.
Along with famine, AIDS is still an epidemic. Ethiopia is the third
highest population of HIV effected people in the world. Project Mercy
also benefits children who are orphaned because of the disease.
Gabre-Tsadick faces many obstacles as a humanitarian.
“Challenges are many, but I choose my goals,” Gabre-Tsadick
said. “I do not let anyone distract me from them.”
ESA member Aklasia Gebru expressed her appreciation for Gabre-Tsadick’s
work.
“To have met someone who is a part of it and to see them help
Ethiopian citizens, makes it more real,” Gebra said.
Metro student Zehara Negash said she recognizes the struggles Gabre-Tsadick
spoke of and which Ethiopians go through daily.
“These are our brothers and sisters,” Negash said. “They
make us what we are today.”
Gabre-Tsadisk will be flying back to Ethiopia next month to continue
her work with Tekle Wold. He offered words of wisdom for future humanitarians.
“Knowledge is not good, unless applied,” Tekle-Wold said.
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