Getting Ready in Ethiopia
Submitted by: Peter Huffman, Deputy Country Director, Ethiopia
President Clinton’s plane is about to take off from the US as I write this, and he will be arriving in Ethiopia - the country of “13 months of sunshine” (albeit it has been raining nonstop the last week!) – in less than a day.
This morning, more than 1,000 volunteers from the community came together with our staff and government counterparts, to prepare for his arrival. It’s amazing how camaraderie and excitement resulted in them constructing a road, building a massive fence, planting flowers, erecting a stage – and all while doing it with the perennial smile and warmth that embodies the Ethiopian spirit.
On Friday, his first event will be at Godino Health Center, which is approximately 100 kilometers from the capital city, Addis Ababa. Godino is one of 50 similar rural communities throughout the country, where we will be establishing family-focused, comprehensive rural community models of healthcare, with the goal of improving the lives of the 85% of Ethiopians living in rural areas. The entire community is eagerly planning for the large event –more than 10,000 people will attend the massive kickoff of this new program.
I have had the great opportunity to work with the Clinton Foundation for nearly four years now, and of the three Presidential visits to Africa I have helped facilitate, this trip is especially exciting given the multitude of events President Clinton will be visiting in Ethiopia, Rwanda, Liberia, and Senegal.
His first stop is here in Ethiopia, home to the Foundation’s largest country office in the world outside of the US – with a staff size approaching 100. We have a gamut of projects here, which concentrate on HIV/AIDS, health systems, drug and medical equipment procurement, and the more recently established Clinton Climate Initiative (CCI).
We look forward to his arrival, and I’ll be sure to blog when I can from Ethiopia, and later in the week, from Senegal. It should be an amazing trip – so check back daily for updates.
Tags: ethiopia
July 29th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
Thank you for your continuing efforts.
July 29th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
God bless Bill Clinton and the Clinton Foundation for all the humanitarian work being done. He deserves to win the Nobel Prize.
July 29th, 2008 at 5:54 pm
Mine is not just extending a ‘pledge’ but an exhortation of my true belief in GOD and his works - the many miracles seen by some of us who carry out HIS wishes and follow our destinies. Bill Clinton is certainly on HIS road.
July 29th, 2008 at 6:25 pm
If everybody can be like you, President Clinton, i’m sure, the world will be really rally better to live for all the people around the world. You and your fondation have made a better tomorrow for all the people you helped. And we know, it’s just the beginning. Thank you President Clinton, thank you President Clinton. Like Jerome, i think you will be win the Nobel Prize with your fondation.
July 29th, 2008 at 8:53 pm
Thank you, President Clinton. Thank you to all who fight this good fight.
July 29th, 2008 at 11:01 pm
Bill’s true love for others is constantly exemplified through his service, compassion, and willingness to help those in need. These timeless efforts will be healing toward individuals and hopefully for the nations. It’s a small reflection of God and other’s love for him.
July 30th, 2008 at 2:06 am
President Clinton has never stopped working to make this Country and the World better and a more beautiful place to live everyday. Not only in regards to the environment, fair trade, and intelligent foreign policy (this last when president) but with humanitarian work, very hard non stopping work. God bless his brain and give us more like it.
July 30th, 2008 at 3:25 am
I met President Clinton in Dar es Salaam last year (never got that close…security), however I have continued to monitor the various initiatives across Africa et al and to a larger extent tried to incorporate that platform into society through various volunteer projects.
I traveled to Addis a couple of years ago and I agree that the spirit of the people is amazingly dynamic. This trip should be one of an even bigger eye opener for President Clinton and a very humbling one all together.
It is difficult for many to imagine a society that is Aids free, but the reality is that this is not a mirage! God speed to President Clinton his mercies…
July 30th, 2008 at 7:08 am
good work,may his days be added by the lord.
July 30th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
Thank you President Clinton for all that you do in Ethiopia and in all Africa.
July 31st, 2008 at 4:53 am
Mr. President, I got just one thing I will say this day and the days to come, go ahaed with your good works and God will continue to guide you as you walk step by step.
July 31st, 2008 at 5:15 pm
As a Seventh-day Adventist Christian Elder, I appreciate Dr. Bill Clinton’s personal involvement in numerous projects or initiatives aimed at making life more livable for the people of the African continent. May GOD bless President Clinton’s Family and Staff.
July 31st, 2008 at 9:25 pm
Muraho President Clinton,
Have a wonderful trip. Give our love and greetings to the people of Rwanda and the other countries you will be visiting! Thank you for continuing to support health programs in East Central Africa. You are an inspiration.
August 1st, 2008 at 4:15 pm
I know they need help in Ethiopia… but does anyone realize that Louisiana has never recovered from Katrina? I have never felt this way before - but shouldn’t “charity” begin at home?
August 1st, 2008 at 4:17 pm
President Clinton: From here in Peru, once again with their actions and work in favour of the most vulnerable and needy, inspires us to continue fighting for a better, fairer, more supportive, more full of love and charity in our Similar, his person was, is and will be a source of inspiration and model for our youth and children, Quin want to teach the path to democracy and God.
August 1st, 2008 at 4:47 pm
Love and light to all involved
August 1st, 2008 at 5:32 pm
God Bless you Sir for all the good you are doing in this world. You are inspiring.
August 1st, 2008 at 6:14 pm
President Clinton, Thank you for going to Ethiopia. I was 100% sure will do that.
Thank you.
God Bless You and your family.
August 1st, 2008 at 9:39 pm
Thank you very much President Bill Clinton for all your efforts in developing Africa.
Kaze in Africa. Kaze means welcome in Kirundi.
August 1st, 2008 at 10:40 pm
Without a doubt, God’s work on earth is truly our own. President Clinton is a marvelous example of that, and credit goes to all who are inspired by him and the people who choose to be part of this project, and all humanitarian projects. Peace comes to the peace-loving, and especially to those who care about the children. God bless Bill Clinton and God bless the peacemakers, and those who honor the least of these, the children, and our brethren, wherever they may be.
August 1st, 2008 at 10:46 pm
Dear President Clinton,
If the World could have only one president you are the only one President of this world!
You and your foundation are doing the excelent job to help people in need, this is not the only one good things you have done for years, you brought Pace in Kosovo, our peoples are very gratefully, you are doing humanitarian work to the very poor countries!
Save lives of peoples is more than have a lots of money!
Thank you,
August 2nd, 2008 at 12:49 am
President Clinton:
Many thanks for traveling a thousand miles to Ethiopia to save our children, We Ethiopians will never forget what you have done before, and what you are doing for this beautiful but, helpless people.
I loved an Ethiopian Nurse who said about President’s Visit … “He was the leader of the world. Then he comes here, in a small village, poor and uncomfortable place to visit, to see us, to help us our problems. I don’t know how I can tell you (how I feel). I have no words.” Indeed.
God bless President Clinton and his staff.
August 2nd, 2008 at 8:20 am
When he visits africa we are all proud of him and I hope when he visits Malawi he will see our project
August 2nd, 2008 at 12:03 pm
Please I am asking kindly to include Djibouti. It looks like a small city but the HIV/AIDS and malaria are growing rapidly.
August 2nd, 2008 at 12:32 pm
Want to thank all the crew of the Clinton Foundaion for the wonderful Job they’ve been doing over the years. IExpeciallly in Africa where I Originate from. I will appriciate if the foundation can come over to my Country Nigeria and visit some of our rural areas to help fight this deadly scourge stealing our young men and women away, including the older folks who are falling everyday to this faceless thief AIDS.
Pls keep the caring and my walmest greeting to Mr Bill Clinton for his vision and his tremendious concern for the Africa continent.
August 2nd, 2008 at 9:29 pm
Thank you President Clinton for all that you do in Africa you are great man . wish if can help you finacely but can help you my engery i know Africa very becuse i came Africa before i came united State of America.
August 4th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
THE WONDERFUL MAN OF THE WORLD DOING LOT OF GOOD SERVICES PARTICULARLY POOR’S LIFE, MAY ALMIGHTY WILL GIVE GOOD HEALTH AND EVERY SUCCESS OF HIS SERVICE.
I AM THE SINCERE FAN OF THE FORMER PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON, I WHOLE HEARTLY THANKFUL TO YOUR SERVICE.
August 4th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
From my beautiful country Costa Rica, I want to send my best regards to Mr. Clinton and all the people that work with him every day. Thank you for the great work and for the kindness and compassion that you give to children and those in need around the world.
I’m sure that Madre Teresa of Calcuta is very happy to see that somebody else is doing her job here and wherever she is, you have her blessing.
God bless you and your foundation
August 4th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
God speed President Clinton in your work to rid the world of these dreaded deseases.
This world is a better place because of you and your staff. The fight can be won. Onward and upward!
My God bless your foundation.
My best to you sir, Budd Hodges
August 4th, 2008 at 6:37 pm
The work of healing souls is an affirmation of life. As if two ends of a bell curve of knowledge and hope turn together to form a perpetual energy boost of life. The fragile moment of trust can nourish the truth.
August 4th, 2008 at 8:47 pm
Thank you for being out in the world helping some of the most vulnerable people on the planet. I wish I could be assisting you in this important, vital, lifesaving, work. Using your
time, financial resources, and life force energy saving lives and demonstrating to the world that we could all be helping each other, is a wonderful gift you give.
If anyone is missing the fact that you and Hillary are devoting your lives to the service of others, they are not paying attention. I am sure that the people you are helping are so thankful for the difference you are making in their lives. Thank you on behalf of all of us who would like to be out there helping - for the work you are doing, the lives you are saving, and the example you set.
August 4th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
What a fascinating coincidence, I was just thinking earlier today, that solar panels would be a most amazing and effective way to bring electricity to rural areas of Africa. How great that you’ve done that….what we take for granted must have made a huge difference there; hope optimism, new opportunities…what a wonderful thing to do. I envy you the gratification you must feel for doing such rewarding work.
August 4th, 2008 at 9:28 pm
Dear Mr President
You have been an amazing President and have continued with your good work thru your foundation. It is so enlightening to read and hear about people who dedicate their lives to the poor and needy to give them hope, strength and courage to go on living. You have made the world a better place and may God bless you always.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
August 5th, 2008 at 6:09 am
The world is blessed by your continuing efforts to impress upon the importance of education to prevent the elimination of the child bearing age young woman of these countries by a disease that is caused by ignorance and the inability to comprehend the cause and effect of one’s actions upon the innocent. Also, please discuss the possiblities of your wife leaving the democratic party as they left her and be an independent candidate and she will win the presidency this year. Most people say they will vote for her because they are not feeling confident about either of the present candidates.
August 5th, 2008 at 10:12 pm
Dear President Clinton:
As a Past Rotary International Director I am leading an effort to incorporate an HIV testing program for all children over 12 years of age with the school HIV/AIDS educational courses in Barquisimeto, Venezuela and Medellin, Columbia in South America. We plan a similar program in Nigeria. We will also work on programs to reach those youths that do not attend school.
I feel strongly that the transmisson of HIV will not be slowed until we have large scale testing programs that allow us to treat infected people early in their disease. Early treatment reduces the viral load of the infected person so they are not as able to infect others. Early treatment also allows the infected person to live a longer and more productive life. Additionally, Infected people are then given a sense of responsibility not to infect others.
The benefits to testing for HIV on a large scale in schools is equivilent to the large scale testing that was done in American schools to nearly eradicate tuberculosis in the 1940s and 1950s.
Testing of all pregnant women is important to stop the transmission of HIV to the newborne babies. We are doing this in NIgeria today. We want to make the tests even more widely used.
It is my goal that our successful project will become an accepted program for Rotary International to promote across the world. It could also become a program in which the Clinton Foundation could use Rotary International as a partner to promote HIV testing and responsible sexual behavior to prevent the transmission of HIV.
Respectfully,
Dr. William P. Cadwallader
August 6th, 2008 at 10:39 pm
Dear President Clinton:
It is amazing to see you so active in the fight against killer diseases such as HIV/AIDS and malaria and in your tireless efforts to improve the living standards of people in poor countries. The world is a better place today because of visionary leaders like you who have done a remarkable difference in life. I want to wish you sound heath and success in your noble mission.
August 12th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
I found your site on technorati and read a few of your other posts. Keep up the good work. I just added your RSS feed to my Google News Reader. Looking forward to reading more from you down the road!
August 14th, 2008 at 6:34 am
This is very intresting photos