World Race Country #9: Ethiopia
Our last month in Africa will be spent in Ethiopia, Africa’s oldest independent country and its second largest in terms of population. Apart from a five-year occupation by Mussolini’s Italy, Ethiopia has never been colonized. It was a monarchy until the coup that began a civil war in 1974. Ethiopia served as a symbol of African independence throughout the colonial period, and was a founding member of the United Nations and the African base for many international organizations. While nearly half of the population belongs to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church—one of the oldest Christian churches—there is also a large Muslim population due to Middle Eastern influences. Ethiopia has suffered periodic droughts and famines that lead to civil conflict and a border war with Eritrea. Those in rural villages remain isolated, without clean water or access to markets, and the country’s ability to provide basic services is strained. Will you help me feed the physically and spiritually hungry in Ethiopia?
Info from BBCNews.com
