The Mister and I caught a portion of a TV show that actually was really heartwarming and inspiring for once, "CNN Heroes". REAL heroes - not the sci-fi ones on NBC. On the show, Anderson Cooper hosted and highlighted ten individuals who rose above and gave back to their community in need. While all their stories both broke and healed my heart, one of my favorite's who stood out was hero, Yohannes Gebregeorgis.
Yohannes' project is called 'Ethiopia Reads'. Through it, he establishes libraries and literacy programs to connect Ethiopian children with books. He's also built a library out of the first floor of his house, two reading tents in the yard, and has set up hair cuts, washing and braiding stations for the children who do not have sanitation.
Besides the library in his home, he also brings books by donkey into the outer villages of Ethiopia. They set brightly colored chairs out for the children to sit - though the kids are too eager to sit still at the site of the painted cart and decorated donkeys rambling into their village. They also have story hour and read to the children who have not yet learned to read for themselves. When the books didn't exist in the languages he needed, he wrote them.
It's a fantastic program and a wonderful story. The website offers many ways you can help. Check it out...
