Comments on: D.C.’s Ethiopian Community Center Faces New Challenges

By: Girma Debebe

Girma Debebe — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 08:55:31 +0000

To: D.C.’s Ethiopian Community Center

Invitation

My name is Girma Debebe and I live in the Netherlands. I have travelled to many regions of Ethiopia and captured different types of photographs. You can access some of my works from my website at http://www.myethiopia.nl I am pleased to tell you that I am ready to participate in any occasions that promotes Ethiopia. I have quality and wide selection of works in photography which shows the beauty of the country.

With Best Regards
Girma Debebe
g.debebe@myethiopia.nl

By: herawe kebede

herawe kebede — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 15:40:28 +0000

excuse me. what is your number? because my dad needs it to call you guys . thank- you

Herawe.

By: Girma Debebe

Girma Debebe — Sat, 29 May 2010 10:39:42 +0000

Invitation First of all I would like to forward my best regard. I am Girma Debebe, who lives in Holland. I have traveled to many regions of Ethiopia and captured different types of photographs. You can see some of them on my website at www.myethiopia.nl I am pleased to tell you that I am ready to participate in any occasion that promotes Ethiopia. I have quality works in photography which shows the beauty of Ethiopia. Regards G. Debebe

By: Antonio Asara

Antonio Asara — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 15:50:48 +0000

I would like to say its great to keep the youth connected to there culture. me being african america i know the pitfalls of loosing ones identity. Ethiopia has a long and rich history and its important for all to learn of the legacy that they left. I am in college majoring in african history to be a professor. one of my specialties will be ethiopian history. So i totally understand why , its important Keep it up and keep pushing dont give up!

By: Guest

Guest — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 02:17:47 +0000

If they can achieve stopping youngsters from emulating the hip-hop culture, I would consider it to be a great accomplishment.

By: Saba

Saba — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:46:43 +0000

I really admire ECC’s effort to keep in touch with our children. That’s what they need to know their roots, culture, history, etc. God bless each person who works at ECC.

By: samson Ogalla Alang

samson Ogalla Alang — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 06:40:57 +0000

Bravo! You are doing a wonderful Job. It’s appreciated we know that language is a tool to recognize identity, without language you can not be who you are. Therefore,we have to take that seriously to build our next generation.

By: SK

SK — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 03:08:32 +0000

This is a timely article as October is a pledge month in much of Corporate America where bosses nag us to make a contribution to non-profits. For over 10 years, I have been supporting Ethiopian Community Center in DC through payroll deduction via United Way campaign. But I stopped my contribution about a year ago. For 10 years that I have been pledging money, not one day I ever got a letter to learn about the center’s activities or even they were getting my money. Then I got on the phone and called the center, I was told, they were in the process of sending out letter, but I received none.

The US Postal Service already gives non-profits a reduced fare if not free postage, so why not update at least twice a year or just once. All I needed was to make sure that my money was being put to good cause, but after 10 years of contribution, I stopped it. Beginning this year, I will pledge my money to Ethiopia Reads and Fitsula Foundation.

By: mamo mamo

mamo mamo — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 21:07:35 +0000

Nice article, Marthi. I guess many of the issues hold true for most Eth communities in the Diaspora but none more than the challenges faced by 1st generation immigrants in trying to instill in their child/ren a sense of pride in, and respect for, one’s culture, history and identity [ whilst of course encouraging them to tolerate, appreciate & celebrate the diverse, and often multicultural & multi-faith, communities they live in.]

By: Dr. Mesai Taye

Dr. Mesai Taye — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 16:58:31 +0000

These community centers can do so much more. I commend D.C. for at least attempting reform. The one in my city is pretty much useless. I have been advocating for similar reforms for many years and I have given up. We can do much more – just look at similar centers in the Jewish community, the Hispanic community, the Korean community, the Cuban community, etc. We should be able to give scholarships to students, artist, and small business loans to enterpruners – people who want to open restaurants, hair salons, cafes, cabs, etc — And the board members should not be friends and family, but prominent members of the community that should be able to raise funds on their own. Good beginning D.C., but we are not there yet in other cities! I would say Atlanta has the best one.