Andargé Asfaw

By Hohete Arefeaine

I am pleased to announce that Washington area professional photographer, and my friend, Andargé Asfaw, will be bringing his traveling gallery exhibition Ethiopia From the Heart, to the Rouse Foundation Gallery at Howard Community College in Columbia, Maryland.
The exhibition reception, artist talk and book signing will take place March 19 from 6-8pm. The exhibition itself will run from March 5 - April 18. 2009.

In Ethiopia From the Heart, Andarge has captured Ethiopia’s quiet splendor and highlighted the country’s deep and abiding link to faith and culture. Deeply concerned that the Ethiopia resplendent in his photographs is rapidly disappearing, Andarge has committed to doing his share in working towards raising awareness of the degradation of
the environment, placing at risk the traditional livelihoods and cultures of his homeland, Ethiopia.

The belief that no-one person can do everything, but that each and every one of us has the power to do something characterizes Andarge’s work. Not only is his book, Ethiopia From the Heart, produced using post consumer materials where possible.

In addition, proceeds from each copy of Ethiopia from the Heart funds tree planting projects in Ethiopia. Through partnerships with Trees for the Future, Greener Ethiopia, Mission Green Earth and Ethiopian Airlines, Andarge is embarking on an exciting project that he will be sharing with us during his artist talk.

His goal for the coming year of planting up to 100,000 trees through this partnership, beginning with his mother’s village in Ethiopia, and of how each one of us can be a part of this legacy is one of the highlights of the evening.

I invite you to share an evening celebrating the works of Andarge Ethiopia from the Heart, and the ongoing mission of this powerful new partnership.

To find out about Andargé Asfaw visit www.ethiopiafromtheheart.com.

Ethiopian Returnees Give Hope

By Eliab Tarkghen

Semira is 13 years old and aspires to be a writer. She writes poems, stories and dramas. In fact she is working on a book. Her book will be about the struggle and battle of living with HIV and also sort of How-To-Guide. You see Semira is writing from experience. She is a living proof that one can lead a normal life even after being infected with HIV. Semira's story is not unique among the 13 other kids who live with her in a family style run charity by Artists For Charity (AFC). Started by Abezash, with her fellow artists Suilman and Mekeda, all returnees from the U.S, the charity feels more like a close-knit family than an orphanage. Indeed the word Orphanage feels cold, distant and heartless, and Abezash herself detest the usage of it.

All the kids came to the AFC family after loosing both their parents to the AIDS epidemic. Neglected by relatives and left to fend for themselves, some of the kids would have died if it was not for AFC. At AFC one can easily see the care that is provided to these kids. Medicine, proper nutrition and a full time Nurse is a priority. In fact when the kids arrive to AFC, most are underweight, some have low white blood cell count (WBC), and some have open soars on their body. With tender care and proper nutrition AFC helps these kids recuperate quickly. The average weight gain of AFC kid is 7 kg, and in cases like Semira it is more than weight gain, it is regaining a fighting chance. Semiria has gained 6 kg, and her WBC that was in the low teens now stands at 200. It is still far from being a normal WBC, but it is a start.

One of the many amazing things about AFC is the founders' passion and commitment. Abezash, Sulliman and Mekeda, not only run the organization, but they live with the kids. They have given up their lives in the U.S to nurture, help, and raise these bright kids. In fact the kids call them Mommy and Daddy, a testament to their closeness with the kids. Everything is about honesty, and support. It
is about knowing the true nature of the disease HIV/AIDS, as well as learning to cope with the disease. The kids will be the first one to tell you they have HIV. They know the stigma; but in their own eloquent way they make you understand, it is just another disease.

Currently, 800,000 children have been orphaned by AIDS in Ethiopia. In fact the prediction is gloomy, it is expected by the year 2014, this figure will increase exponentially to 2.5 million. It takes more than
Abezash, Suliman and Mekeda to tackle this grave threat to our nation. But they have started the hard battle for us, it is now in our hands to extend the fight and lessen the suffering of those who are
unfortunate enough to be the victim of HIV/AIDS and its aftermath.

I know Semira will finish her book. I also know one day we will see this bright writer authoring a mouth-dropping novel that may end up being a best seller. Thanks to AFC it is not a dream, but a reality in
the making.

Visit AFC website
http://www.artistsforcharity.org/
http://www.eliabconsulting.com/abezash_kids/index.html

Peace

Abezash - Amen

Creativity + wisdom + beauty + courage + compassion + action = Abezash T.

To meet this inspiring artist and the epitome of a fine human being, be on the look out for the 4th Annual Blen Art show, in Washington, DC: blenartshow.com

Also check out Abezash’s fruitful organization at: http://www.artistsforcharity.org