Moving the Fuga from the Margins to the Centre

Ethiopia is home to a diverse array of ethnic groups – many of which co-exist in a relatively peaceful manner. Nevertheless, some groups – the Fuga people in Ethiopia’s Southern Region for example– say that they still exist on the margins of society and sometimes even confront violence because of their peripheral status. Recent efforts, however, have strived to alleviate some of the economic and societal hardships confronting the community. Some of these efforts involve foreign governments, like the United States and Finland.
EBR’s Meseret Mamo spoke with stakeholders to see what progress, if any, is being made to achieve this end.

The High Cost of Dialysis Puts Patients Suffering from Kidney Failure in Jeopardy

Kidneys serve an important function for humans – they are the organs that purify the blood by removing waste from it. Kidney failure, therefore, is a serious condition for people who suffer from it, usually requiring costly dialysis treatment. In Ethiopia, there are only a few medical centres that offer the treatment – and of those who do, one session can cost anywhere from ETB985 to 2,530. For the country’s poorest patients, this could prove to be detrimental financially and some medical professionals are calling on the government to intervene and improve the situation. EBR’s Meseret Mamo spoke with medical practitioners and those close to the issue to learn more about what is being done to help make dialysis more accessible in Ethiopia.

Ethiopia has enjoyed a centuries-old tradition of oral histories that depict the lives of characters for the sake of promoting a particular moral or ethical lesson, especially for young children. However, scholars note that this tradition is slowly dying, especially in an increasingly interconnected world in which young kids are exposed to stories from other cultures and countries, sometimes to the exclusion of traditional local stories. Some artists and storytellers are trying to preserve this tradition, but it is proven to be a more difficult task than some may think. EBR’s Meseret Mamo spoke with individuals close to this subject in order to learn more about what is being done to preserve the nation’s folklore tradition.

A joy for children, a relief for parents

Although a relatively new concept in Ethiopia, summer camps are emerging in Addis Ababa. Some experts say that these programmes, which often focus on non-academic activities like sports and recreation, are beneficial for children as they offer chances to interact with peers and coaches who have time to listen, talk, relax, and reflect. Such opportunities provide them a rare chance to work together, learn how to take responsibility and solve problems, develop creative skills, build independence and self-reliance, and gain confidence – skills that are necessary to a child’s path to a healthy and productive future. EBR’s Meseret Mamo spoke with camp leaders, parents and students about the effects of summer camp on children.

In Ethiopia, it’s not uncommon for patients from rural areas to seek medical treatment in large cities like Addis Ababa, where facilities may be better equipped to handle complex ailments and conditions. These patients, however, are often placed on long wait lists and may have to stay in Addis Ababa for days or weeks at a time. This is especially problematic for indigent patients who may not be able to afford food or shelter while they wait for medical attention. A group of physicians at Tikur Anbessa Hospital, however, are trying to change this reality. They established the Gojo Shelter for the Needy and Sick Community in order to make life easier for patients who face difficulties finding food and shelter as they await treatment. EBR’s Meseret Mamo spoke with the organization’s founders to learn more about how they plan to expand their vision.