The second project we visited was KYHRDO in Hotela town, a 1 hour drive from Addis Abba in Oromiyya region . We arrived in a courtyard, greeted by the mayor and grandmothers. While we waited for a busload of Grandmothers from the region the children sang, one young girl read to us about the importance of education and a young boy told us jokes. Once the grandmothers arrived, they danced, sang, clapped and ululated inviting us to dance with them .
The Canadian Grandmothers , led by Tina , burst out in song: We are standing Hand in Hand
We assembled to march, children in front with their own banner and the grandmothers with 2 more banners. We walked about 30 minutes in a shaded eucalyptus lined lane.
We learned that the coffee ceremony is used to build community and it also is a way for the community to discuss issues like HIV/AIDS. The triple pouring of the coffee provides time for the participants to talk through issues. Popcorn is served to fill in the time while the coffee is being prepared. Bread (hambesha) is also served with the coffee. Coffee ceremonies are important in the Ethiopian culture as a way to build community through conversation and education.
Kulich Youth Reproductive Health and Development Organization (KYRHDO) objects are: to support orphans and vulnerable children, their guardians who are living with HIV/AIDS, to minimize the burden that the guardians face, and particularly those who are grandparents.
Projects include: Community Awareness Raising, Economic Empowerment, Caregivers' Awareness Raising, Orphan and Vulnerable Children Care and Educational Support and Tutorial and Recreational Support. We visited their local income generation project and purchased some scarves.
Projects include: Community Awareness Raising, Economic Empowerment, Caregivers' Awareness Raising, Orphan and Vulnerable Children Care and Educational Support and Tutorial and Recreational Support. We visited their local income generation project and purchased some scarves.
Many of the grandmothers share their their stories about HIV/ AIDS and how it has has impacted their family. They now educate and assist others in the community thanks to the community based projects.