Ethiopian Folk Tale: THE GREEDY DOG

For generations, Ethiopian stories such as this, with their perceptive wit and useful lessons, have been used to entertain and instruct young children.

I am sharing these folk-tales from the collection of stories by author Shlomo Bachrach, 1967. 

A folk tale always starts with the teller saying "Teret Teret" and the kids saying "YeLam Beret".

The Greedy Dog

Tadesse lived near the town of Ambo. He lived with his parents. He took care of his father's sheep. Every day, he took the sheep to the field. His dog went with him. The dog was a good companion. He was very helpful. He helped Tadesse take care of the sheep. In the morning, the dog helped take the sheep to the field. In the evening, he helped bring the sheep home. The dog was a good worker, but he was also very greedy. He wanted everything for himself. 

One day, the dog stole some meat from the house. He ran away with it. Soon he came to a river. Over the river there was a bridge. As the dog crossed the bridge, he looked down at the water. He noticed his reflection in the water. He thought that it was another dog with more meat. At first, he was frightened by it. Then the greedy dog wanted the other piece of meat. He jumped into the water to get it. When he jumped into the water, he dropped his own piece of meat. He couldn't find the other dog or the other piece of meat in the water.

"Oh!" he said. "It was a trick. There is nothing here." Then he said happily, "I still have my own piece of meat."
He looked for it but it was gone. "Now I have nothing," he cried. In this way the dog learned a lesson. It is not good to be greedy.

The End!

Senait Mareligne

Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony at IUS

With Kimberly Pelle

A year ago, I met Kimberly Pelle through our common friend Grace Pau. Since she learned about UniKids, Kim has been finding ways to collect school supplies and raise funds to help us reach our goals. 

In the fall of last year, she already rallied her co-workers at Indiana University Southeast (IUS) to collect boxes of school supplies and to raise about $250. She donated these to UniKids on behalf of the Adult Students' Center at IUS.

With Yvonne Bagshaw and Kimberly Pelle

Kim's enthusiasm to help UniKids continued this year. Along with her colleague Yvonne Bagshaw, Kim dedicated a table for UniKids to collect school supplies and raise funds. 

In addition, as part of the University's International week, Kim invited me to present Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony to the Adult Student Center on November 14, 2012.

I brought in with me the traditional coffee display along with the coffee pot, roasted barley and even popcorn just the way it is presented in Ethiopia. We brewed Ethiopian coffee and used the clay pot to serve. The students enjoyed the whole process, which traditionally will take about an hour or so. They experienced coffee drinking from a small cup called Siniy and learned the process of drinking in three steps, namely, Abol, Tona, & Bereka. The adult students had many questions to ask while enjoyed authentic Ethiopian coffee. 

Kim pouring coffee

Kim learned quickly and became a professional at pouring coffee from the pot. 

It was such a great experience to everyone who participated and it was such a pleasure for me to be able to share my culture with such a great crowd. I look forward to next year's event...what could the theme be?

A big thank you to Kim and Yvonne for their continued support. A great thank you also to those who donated school supplies, made monetary donation, and participated at the coffee ceremony. 

Senait Mareligne
Founder/Director
smareligne@unikids.org

YOUNG HELPING HANDS ARE ON THE RISE!

A Middle School Student Raised Funds for UniKids

A middle school student at Louisville Collegiate School took the initiative to raise funds for UniKids. Joel Punwani, an 8^th grader, said that he wanted to organize the fundraiser because he is passionate about helping others. He likes the mission of UniKids in helping students with their school supplies needs.

In October 2012, he got his collection bin decorated and set out to on his school’s hallway whenever he gets a chance. Through his leadership skills and the ability to communicate with fellow students about his goal, Joel raised $161.00. He presented the check to Senait Mareligne, Founder of Unikids.

Joel Punwani presenting the donation check to Senait Mareligne

Our special thanks goes to Joel Punwani and fellow Louisville Collegiate middle school students.

For more information about the work we do at UniKids, please visit us www.unikids.org. 

World on the Square 2012

The annual family friendly event at Corydon, IN brought different countries at the square – World on the Square. The program starts with the Native American group with their uniforms and presenting their patriotic march. 

Some of the participants

My family enjoyed sharing about Ethiopia

Children pick up their passports with several questions so they can go around the globe asking about the country and learning on the way. 

I enjoyed the afternoon introducing Ethiopia and UniKids

China booth (one of the booths displayed)

Bracelets from Ethiopia

This event occurs the second Saturday in August. The organizers do a great job in setting up the location for the exhibitors providing cold water when it is hot and plastic covers when it rains.

Flaminco Dancers

Local restaurants showcase free samples of their cuisine for everyone to enjoy.

With one of the organizers Linda

Kids dancing on the stage

Throughout the program, there is music and entertainment. Flamenco dancers, local musicians, kids dancing, face painting, martial arts show, etc.

This is a very friendly event that introduces the locals to the world around them. People come to each booth to ask questions, learn a thing or two and mostly amazed that their city is indeed multicultural.

This is an event to look forward to every year. For more information about this event, visit www.worldonthesquare.org.