Libraries for Ethiopia

Libraries for Ethiopia Libraries for Ethiopia is a 501(c)3 organization registered with the IRS to build public libraries. Providing public libraries could help to address this gap.

The Lack of Public Libraries in Ethiopia: A Major Concern

Despite being home to 110 million people, the second-largest population in Africa, Ethiopia is grappling with a serious shortage of public libraries. With only 20 public libraries across the country, not including schools and specialized libraries, a large portion of the population lacks access to quality library resources. While the first

significant public library was established in the capital city in 2022, the rest of the country remains unserved. The ongoing conflict has only added to the challenges in developing public libraries, which are not considered a priority. This shortage of resources is evident in Ethiopia's low Human Capital Index of 0.38 (2020), which means that a child born today in Ethiopia will not have the opportunity to reach their full potential without proper education and health. This is particularly concerning as it is even lower than the average for Sub-Saharan Africa. Mission

Libraries for Ethiopia aims to establish three public libraries in Sendafa, Beke, and Aleltu towns with the goal of promoting equitable education and reducing poverty. The libraries will provide children and youth, particularly in these resource-limited regions, with access to books, computers, and various educational and creative activities such as reading, music, art, drama, computer use, mentoring, and more. These libraries will be designed with traditional and contemporary cultural, social, and economic influences in mind and will serve as safe spaces for learning and self-expression. Objectives:

Create sustainable libraries in Sendafa, Beke, and Aleltu towns in Ethiopia. Increase access to books and educational resources for children and young adults. Encourage literacy and a love of reading among Ethiopian children and young adults. Offer access to computers and other technologies to teach interested children how to code and program.

07/13/2026

I got over 10 reactions on one of my posts last week! Thanks everyone for your support! 🎉 Now do you want to sponsor a book giveaway away?

If you'd like to make monthly donations, here is our page. $5 covers the cost of one bilingual book።
07/01/2026

If you'd like to make monthly donations, here is our page. $5 covers the cost of one bilingual book።

Join us in Creating Literacy Space for Kids.At Libraries For Ethiopia Fund (Lifef), we are working to plant libraries/literacy spaces in Ethiopia. With generous support, we plan to open our first literacy space in December 2025. We know that change starts when kids read. A reading society is a free....

Yesterday’s storytime at Sendafa-Beke Library celebrated Natalia Ruiz’s birthday. Her kindness reached all the way to Et...
06/28/2026

Yesterday’s storytime at Sendafa-Beke Library celebrated Natalia Ruiz’s birthday. Her kindness reached all the way to Ethiopia! 🎉📚 Thank you, Natalia.
Want to sponsor a book giveaway in someone’s honor? Inbox me!

Run, Donkey, Run!An Ethiopian Story Donkey works hard all day long. He carries heavy bags of grain on his back. Clop, cl...
06/26/2026

Run, Donkey, Run!
An Ethiopian Story

Donkey works hard all day long. He carries heavy bags of grain on his back. Clop, clop, clop!

When the sun goes down, Donkey is tired. He falls asleep under a big acacia tree. Zzz... zzz...

Hyena walks by and spots him. He smiles a sharp, toothy smile.

"Look at that lazy donkey," Hyena laughs. "Donkeys only know how to carry heavy bags. They are no cheetahs. This one is even lazier. He cannot run away from me!"

Hyena is very hungry. "This will be a grand lunch," he whispers. He creeps closer and closer through the yellow grass. Swish, swish, swish goes the tall grass.

High up in the branches, Monkey sees the danger. He shakes the leaves to wake up his friend. Rustle, rustle!

"Wake up, Donkey! Look behind you!" Monkey screams.

Donkey opens his eyes and sees the sharp teeth.

Monkey laughs and mocks the hungry predator. "Catch him if you can, Hyena!" he shouts. Whoosh!

Hyena leaps forward with a fierce growl. Donkey takes off, his strong legs moving fast.

"Run, Donkey, run!" screams Monkey.

Hyena is fast, and he gets closer and closer. Thump, thump, thump!

Snap! Hyena's teeth click shut right behind Donkey's tail. So close! Donkey feels Hyena's hot breath on his heels.

Kick! Donkey lashes out with his strong back legs, and Hyena tumbles into the grass. Donkey finds a final burst of strength and pulls ahead. Zoom!

Donkey runs like the wind. Hyena slows down and finally stops, dripping with sweat. He cannot catch the fast donkey.

"Is that donkey crazy?" Hyena grumbles. "Why is he running so fast?"

Hyena trudges back to the tree to find his friends.

"Donkeys are not strong," he tells them. "Donkeys are not fast. That one was just lucky today!"

He keeps talking and making excuses. Blah, blah, blah! The other monkeys laugh and laugh.

But Donkey does not listen to the noise. He trots on, head high, all the way to a brand-new pasture full of soft green grass.

Monkey swings down to meet him, grinning ear to ear. "You showed him, Donkey!"

Donkey just smiles and keeps eating, proud of his strong, hard-working legs — and the friend who always has his back.

The End ©️

With Open Hearts Big Dreams Fund – I just got recognized as one of their top fans! 🎉
06/23/2026

With Open Hearts Big Dreams Fund – I just got recognized as one of their top fans! 🎉

Birthday, Books and Impact We are looking for two sponsors for July.We celebrate your birthday by giving OHBD bilingual ...
06/23/2026

Birthday, Books and Impact

We are looking for two sponsors for July.

We celebrate your birthday by giving OHBD bilingual books to children in Ethiopia.

All you need to do is raise funds for your own or a loved one's birthday. 25 books X $5

Happy Father's Day! Yesterday at Sendafa-Beke Library, we celebrated by reading the bilingual book "Papas," distributing...
06/21/2026

Happy Father's Day! Yesterday at Sendafa-Beke Library, we celebrated by reading the bilingual book "Papas," distributing 30 copies of the book to children, making drawings, and enjoying some snacks. A big thank you to the Spokane Rotary North members for their spontaneous contributions during Monday's meeting. ❤️ ❤️ ❤️

This week at Sendafa-Beke Library Story Time, we read: We Are Better Together: Our Differences Make Us Beautiful. Our re...
06/13/2026

This week at Sendafa-Beke Library Story Time, we read: We Are Better Together: Our Differences Make Us Beautiful. Our reader, Dr. Dinkessa, is a storyteller, professor, mentor and accomplished university administrator. His willingness to read to kids is a true honor. Lucky kids.

This week's storytime at Sendafa-Beke Public library will feature "The Happiest Herder in the Land: The Discovery of Cof...
06/05/2026

This week's storytime at Sendafa-Beke Public library will feature "The Happiest Herder in the Land: The Discovery of Coffee." Just so you know, coffee originated in Ethiopia. You’re welcome. Thank you, Jody, for the sponsorship. The money you raised paid for two weeks of storytime.

Let’s celebrate your birthday by giving kids books. It's simple. Inbox me for more.
06/04/2026

Let’s celebrate your birthday by giving kids books. It's simple. Inbox me for more.

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5428 S Re
Spokane, WA
99223

Telephone

+15418088595

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