Dedication of Dr. Thomas Hooyman Memorial Library in Makele Ethiopia
Currently in the Axum Hotel in Ethiopia. Just returned from the dedication of my brother Tom Hooyman's Memorial Library in Makele Ethiopia. Organized by a wonderful organization called "Ethiopia Reads" www.ethiopiareads.org
My brother Tom's dedication was awesome.It is at a stone building without heat. There are 100 children at this school - which stands for "Fruit of the Martyrs". These children are either oprhaned, or their parents were maimed or tortured during the siege of the Derge. Today, there was an official celebration and ribbon cutting. And the library is something almost resembling a Western Library. There are books, shelves, tables and chairs. And this one is special - for it has 2 computers, a TV with a DVD and framed posters... My brother would of been so, so tickled and proud.The People are wonderful, kind, generous. Big Smiles and Big Hearts. So grateful for the honor. We were even interviewed for BBC's Voice of Africa . A truely special day. I call all people who read this blog to go to www.ethiopiareads.org and give a donation to these wonderful children. Please specify for the Tom Hooyman Memorial Fund. That way we can make sure it goes to this wonderful region who with meager means.... make education valuable.