Locals run across Ethiopia
In January, a contingent of northern Michiganders will run 250 miles across Ethiopia, from the capital, Addis Ababa, to the Yirgachefe coffee growing region in the southern part of the ancient East African nation, as part of a campaign to generate awareness and raise $100,000 for local education projects, including the construction of much-needed schools in coffee-harvesting communities.
“Run Across Ethiopia” is a project of On The Ground Global, the nonprofit established by the local fair trade coffee roaster Higher Grounds Coffee. On the Ground boasts a track record of building wells, medical clinics and schools in fair trade communities around the globe. “Run Across Ethiopia” was conceived of by three northern Michigan philanthropists: Chris Treter, owner of Higher Grounds Coffee, Timothy Young, president of the Honor, Mich.-based organic jam and preserves maker Food for Thought, and Hans Voss, executive director of the Michigan Land Use Institute.
More than 600 years ago, merchants trekked through the mountains and valleys of Ethiopia to export the world’s first cultivated coffee beans — thus beginning what has since become a global multi-billion dollar industry (Ethiopia is also considered the birthplace of beer, and it boasts both the male and female marathon world record holders in long-distance running). But in modern-day Ethiopia, despite the country’s coffee exports accounting for nearly 60 percent of the national GDP, many coffee farmers and their families live in dire poverty. Education, health care, and access to water are limited. In the Yirgachefe region, where some of the world’s most unique and sought-after coffees originate, little more than half the region’s children complete primary school. The adult literacy rate is 36 percent. Life expectancy is 53 years.
The Glen Arbor Sun will cover January’s “Run Across Ethiopia”. In the meantime, Treter and Young were in Ethiopia (and Palestine) this past week, scouting out the upcoming trip. Enjoy these photos taken by Timothy Young.
