Renald has a hopeful future. He is a senior in college and has dreams of becoming a lawyer. (Aug. 8, 2011) Photo by Heather Walsh

Here is a preview of the 3rd story from our current all volunteer SGLocal-NYC Aging Out of Foster Care Project.  Photographer Heather Walsh, one of the SalaamGarage producers on this project photographed Renald this month.  He is an aged-out foster kid who is defying the statistics because he is in college, working to become a lawyer.  According to The Children’s Aid Society, “Each year, approximately 20,000 of the 542,000 children in foster care nationwide are discharged to live on their own. Five percent of these, or approximately 1,100 young adults, are discharged to fend for themselves in New York City.” It isn’t hard to guess that the percentage of aged out youth making it into higher education and graduating is dismally low. Reading statistics can often be pretty abstract.  The numbers quoted here are some of the saddest and most moving I have ever read. “According to studies of young people discharged to themselves in different states: 12-30% struggled with homelessness; 40-63% did not complete high school; 25-55% were unemployed; those employed had average earnings below the poverty level, and only 38% of those employed were still working after one year; 31-42% were arrested; 18-26% were incarcerated; and 40-60% of the young women were pregnant within 12-18 months of leaving foster care.”

It was meeting at-risk youth at the Next Generation Center in the Bronx, a Children’s Aid Society community center that supports youth from all over the city when they age out of the foster care system and transition out of the juvenile justice system, that we were inspired to tell these stories.

Renald spends long hours working and taking college courses before returning home each day. (Aug. 19, 2011) Photo by Heather Walsh

With assistance from HPRP, a pilot program operated by the Nassau County Office of Housing and Homeless Services, he has a place he can call home, a third-story walk-up. (Aug. 19, 2011) Photo by Heather Walsh

Living on your own can be challenging, "because you just have to do everything for yourself," says Renald. (Aug. 19, 2011) Photo by Heather Walsh

Renald and his two younger brothers lived together in foster homes for eight years until he aged out and had to leave them behind. He is now living alone. (Aug. 8, 2011) Photo by Heather Walsh

Renald is taking part in a program that helps aged-out youth with housing subsidies. The Nassau County Homelessness Prevention & Rapid Re-Housing (HPRP) pilot program.  Photographer Heather Walsh is still working on her project with Renald and is looking for places in print and online to share his story.  She and many other photographers on the team are looking forward to getting these stories published in print and online.  If you would like to run any of these stories in your publication, or know of a publication that does, please get in touch!

Want to get involved? If you live in the NYC/NJ metro area and are a professional writer, reporter, photographer, videographer, or other media creator and would like to get involved please join the SalaamGarage Meetup group, a link to the application can be found there.

Inspired to help youth when they age out of the foster care system?
Go to these local orgs to donate, volunteer, spread the word, or adopt an older foster kid:
You Gotta Believe, and You Gotta Believe! on twitter @AdoptOlderKids
The Children’s Aid Society Next Generation Center and on twitter at @ChildrensAidNYC
ProjectMMH, on twitter @ProjectMMH, was founded by country singer and aged out foster kid Jimmy Wayne.  He has a powerful inspiring story of overcoming the odds and a terrible youth to finding success.  ProjectMMH has one of the best lists of local and national organizations working to help youth when they age out of foster care.

For more info about SalaamGarage Local and the Aging Out of Foster Care project, email maggie@salaamgarage.com.

Andre by photographer Matthew Furman

NY based photographer Matthew Furman photographed Andre last week as part of the SalaamGarage Local-NYC Aging-Out of Foster Care in NYC project.  So far, approximately 15 photographers, 10 writers, and 18 former foster youth have agreed to participate in this, the first SalaamGarage Local project.  We are working hard to raise awareness and inspire action to help youth when they age out of the foster care system in the NYC metro area.

Andre, 22 Freeport, NY
When Andre was 7 years old social services came one day and took him and his 5 year old little brother away. His uncle had been beating them pretty badly. His little brother apparently was getting the worst of it, and he’s the one that told a nurse at school.  Andre told Matt that is was pretty scary when strangers put him and his brother in a van and told them that they were going to a ‘better place’. The worst part was that the family that he went to wasn’t any better. Andre described, “some Spanish guy beating us too..dipping us in cold water as punishment.” It was hard for Matt to hear that, at the time, Andre was pissed at his brother because even though it was bad, he didn’t want to be away from his family. Looking back he isn’t mad at his brother anymore.
From the ages of 18-21 Andre lived at Seaford House where he had his own room. He is grateful that Seaford House kept him motivated to get out there and get a job. He earned his CNA, but quickly realized that it wasn’t for him.
Andre is working at a Babies R Us currently.  Andre told Matt that he’d like to go back to school. So, Matt asked him where he sees himself in 5 years.  Andre replied, “I want to be successful. I know how life really is, I’ve been through the lowest of lows, so I’m ready for the highs. Sky’s the limit. I’d like to have a nice home and eventually start a family.”  To see photographer Matt Furman’s blog post and more photos click here: http://www.furmanfoto.com/blog/.  Matt told me it was a great experience and he loved getting out there with just his camera and no crew, no lights, no studio…

Andre in his neighborhood by photographer Matthew Furman

Andre on Brooklyn Ave. in Freeport, NY by photographer Matthew Furman

Andre is part of a program that helps aged-out youth with housing subsidies. The Nassau County Homelessness Prevention & Rapid Re-Housing (HPRP) pilot program.  Photographer Matthew Furman is still working on his story with a writer and will be looking for places in print and online to share his story.

Do you want to help get foster kids into permanent homes?  Coney Island, NY based organization You Gotta Believe works to place older foster kids into safe permanent homes.  They are on twitter @adoptolderkids.  So far they have placed more than 400 older foster youth in permanent families.  You can join their mentoring program, adopt a local older kid, or donate to their programs.
Also, you help youth as they age out of the foster care system in NYC by supporting the Children’s Aid Society Next Generation Center in the Bronx.

If you live in the NYC/NJ metro area and are a professional writer, reporter, photographer, videographer, or other media creator and would like to get involved please join the SalaamGarage Meetup group.  Let me know if you know the perfect newspaper or magazine, online and in print for our teams to publish their stories.

For more info about SalaamGarage Local and the Aging-Out of Foster Care project, email maggie@salaamgarage.com.

Dmitri at Sam's Barber Shop in Massapequa Park, NY. (Aug. 11, 2011) Photo by Heather Walsh

Foster kids in New York age out of the system anywhere between 18 and 21 years old.  Few are left with the resources and skills needed to support themselves, or find work and secure housing. A large percentage of youth end up homeless after aging out of the foster care system.  Here is one story in summary, the first of many being created by the SalaamGarage Local humanitarian media team in NYC to raise awareness about the challenges youth face when they age-out of the foster care system. SalaamGarage is excited to launch this, the pilot for our first local storytelling project.  It is called SalaamGarage Local, or SGLocal for short. SGLocal-NYC is our first hyper local based team.  The team is made up of local media professionals who are committed to using their storytelling and documentary skills to make a positive impact on the social problems affecting our communities.

Dmitriy, 22 yrs. old. Bethpage, NY (As told to photographer Heather Walsh)
After his birth in Russia, Dmitriy was placed into an orphanage where he lived with more than 100 children. At age 11 he was adopted by an American family and moved to New York. He spoke no English and the only person he could talk to was a Russian barber who he still sees regularly. He only lived with his adopted family for three years, experiencing neglect and mistreatment the whole time. Without notice, his adopted parents placed him into foster care. At first he landed in an institutional home that he says was worse than the orphanage. After that he was placed in two two foster care group homes until at 21, he aged-out of the system.   He now lives on his own and works for the Oyster Bay Dept. of Sanitation. He hopes to have a long career with the dept. and build a good life for himself.

Dmitriy, age 22, stands in hallway of his apartment in Bethpage, NY. (Aug. 2, 2011) Photo by Heather Walsh

Dmitriy is part of a program that helps aged-out youth with housing subsidies. The Nassau County Homelessness Prevention & Rapid Re-Housing (HPRP) pilot program.  Photographer Heather Walsh is still working on her project with Dmitriy and will be looking for places in print and online to share his story.  She and many other photographers on the team are looking forward to working with local reporters who can write and interview the subjects for the greatest impact.

If you live in the NYC/NJ metro area and are a professional writer, reporter, photographer, videographer, or other media creator and would like to get involved please join the SalaamGarage Meetup group.

For more info about SalaamGarage Local email maggie@salaamgarage.com.

Crowdfunding For Good ©89studio - Fotolia.com

Our friends at Causevox published a very helpful free ebook called “7 Habits of Highly Effective Personal Fundraisers.”  Get it Here: http://ebook.causevox.com/7habits/.  We couldn’t have said it better.  A must download for anyone running a fund-raising campaign.

Here are some of our favorite online fund raising platforms:

• Spot.us http://spot.us/ hyper local community funded journalism
• Emphas.is http://emphas.is/ specifically for visual journalists doing image based projects anywhere
• Kickstarter http://www.kickstarter.com/
• IndieGoGo http://www.indiegogo.com/
• Chipin http://www.chipin.com/ this is a widget that can be installed on one’s own blog or website.
• Invested.in http://invested.in/

Want to learn more about the differences between these platforms?

Poynter article about Emphas.is: http://www.poynter.org/latest-news/top-stories/129807/emphas-is-builds-community-of-support-for-quality-photojournalism/
Nice commentary on crowdfunding from Once Magazine http://blog.oncemagazine.com/post/4089772682/crowdfunding-and-the-future-of-photojournalism
This New York Foundation for the Arts blog post is very helpful: http://nyfablog.com/2011/07/26/the-artists-digital-toolkit-part-3/

….and for the mother-load list of 88 crowd funding platforms for raising money to support your project, check out the Dutch SmarterMoney blog for: Crowdfunding Platforms and Initiatives. Wow.

My favorite suggested giving list is from Nicholas Kristof at the New York Times.  He is an incredible resource for NGOs that are working to solve our world’s biggest problems since his reporting often shares a way you can help.
This Year’s list  “The Gifts of Hope” and last year’s “A Most Meaningful Gift” are must reads.

As for SalaamGarage… Here is a list of the NGOs we have worked with this year and will be working with in the future. These organizations are making a big difference in areas we care about deeply. We have been there, seen the work, reported on their work, and totally vouch that these organizations are worthy of your support!

The Children’s Aid Society Next Generation Center in the Bronx, NYC.
Helping: New York City youth as they age out of the foster care system and transition out of the juvenile justice system.
“The Next Generation Center (NGC) is a one-stop center designed to meet the needs of young people transitioning to adulthood and self-sufficiency. The mission of NGC is to provide support, guidance, training and opportunities to young people, ages 14 to 24, in the Bronx — with a special focus on youth in foster care and those who have aged out of foster care.”
Donate to Next Generation Center here.

Hamlin Fistula International in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Helping: Women with Childbirth injuries called obstetric fistula. Also working in prevention through outreach, mini hospitals and midwife training.
“The Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital provides care for women obstetric fistulas ‐ the most devastating of all childbirth injuries. The Hospital has a success/cure rate of over 90%. We aim to be the world leader in Training and Research for the treatment, care & prevention of obstetric fistula.” This year the Hamlin Fistula Foundation graduated the first class of midwives from the new Midwifery College. Those midwives were dispatched to the countryside little more than a month ago. These midwives and the college are a huge step towards eradicating fistula in Ethiopia. It is possible, but they need donations to keep it going.
Donate to the Hamlin Fistula Foundation here.

Peacetrees Vietnam in Quang Tri Provence Vietnam.
Helping: Clears landmines leftover from the Vietnam War in the most heavily bombed region the world has ever seen.
“PeaceTrees Vietnam was founded in 1995 to renew relationships with the people of Vietnam and promote a safe, healthy future for its families & children. We sponsor de-mining and mine risk education, survivor assistance, citizen diplomacy trips and community building projects in partnership with the people of Quang Tri Province.”
Donate to Peacetrees Vietnam here.

Agros International working in Central America and Mexico.
Helping: Indigenous Mayan farmers and families through sustainable farming and land ownership.
“Agros International is committed to breaking the cycle of poverty for rural families in Central America and Mexico by enabling landless communities to achieve land ownership and economic stability. We have learned that the root causes of poverty extend across communities and are passed down from generation to generation, and so the Agros development model is holistic, sustainable, and focused on long term results. This commitment to the long-term sustainability of a whole community serves to break the cycle of poverty in all its forms.”
Gift a purchase at the Agros International One Seed Catalog
or Donate to Agros International here.

And finally our favorite little NGO that is constantly blowing us away with the great deeds they accomplish…
Vatsalya in Jaipur, India
Helping: Street children, orphans, neglected, abandoned and abused children. Also helping the poorest women learn to make a living. Job training for the cities uneducated youth. HIV prevention for long distance truck drivers and sex workers. Health care for commercial sex workers. Well the list goes on..
Vatsalya was founded in 2000 to provide a better life for children and rural women in Rajasthan India. Vatsalya runs a home for children, women’s self help groups, HIV/AIDS clinics for truck drivers, a health clinic for female sex workers, and outreach programs for slum kids. Vatsalya’s largest mission is the rescue of homeless, abandoned, and abused children.  Udayan is a campus style home in the countryside, away from the city, that provides education, mental and physical support, internships, and practical vocational training. 100% Indian run and founded, Vatsalya was SalaamGarage’s first partner, in 2007.
Donate to Vatsalya from the USA through the NICF (Namaste India Children’s Fund).

The Glimpse Correspondents program, run by Matador and supported, in part, by National Geographic, supports travel writers and photographers by awarding a cash stipend and editorial guidance for their work. Glimpse also provides an online platform for expanding the Correspondents’ audience.

Glimpse editor-in-chief, Sarah Menkedick, said more than 700 applications were received for the Fall 2010 Correspondents program, and she expects many more for the Spring 2011 cycle, as Matador has decided to lift the age limit. Formerly capped at 36, anyone over 18 can now apply for the Correspondents program.

The deadline for applications is November 28, 2010. You can learn more about the program and submit your application materials on the Glimpse site.

Community Connection: One way to get an idea of what we’re looking for when we review applications is by reading current Correspondents’ stories and viewing their work. Visit the Glimpse site to see both.

From Glimpse: The Glimpse Correspondents Program is for talented writers and photographers with a passion for storytelling and a knack for finding truly unique stories. The program is open to anyone who will be working, volunteering, or studying outside of their home country for at least 10 weeks. Correspondents receive the following benefits:
* $600 stipend
* Support from a team of professional editors
* Career training in writing and photography
* Guaranteed publication on Glimpse.org and Matador Network

Tip: To get helpful tips on what Glimpse looks for in an application, become a Glimpse Facebook fan.

In addition to the general Correspondents Program, Glimpse is also offering a specialized position in Spring 2011: the Glimpse/HTH Worldwide Health Correspondent. To learn more, click here.

Below are my notes from last night’s successful and well attended event!  It was a pleasure presenting with Katja and George.  I will be watching as their projects continue to develop!  To see the Powerpoint presentation go to “Raising Funds for your Storytelling for Good Projects” at Slideshare.

Get Funded!
How to Raise money for your storytelling for good project.

1. Create specific project, not for the overarching nonprofit or general cause.
2. Promise a compelling story with a strong human-interest angle. Give examples that prove you have done your homework. Your pitch should include a specific story as an example.
3. Create a feedback loop. Use a service that allows donors to give feedback and participate. Remind them this is their project and mission too.
4. Have a Deadline!
5. Pool your efforts by collaborating with reputable like-minded partners (swap blog space, request re-tweets, get speaking time at events).
6. Be yourself and be clear! Don’t talk too much. Don’t try to sound like an NGO, sound like you.
7. Create a call to action. Have a clear and specific “ask.” Be challenging and passionate. Ask for money.
8. Consider using gifts, contests or drawings to encourage participation and larger donations.
9. SoMe- use social media. If you aren’t on linked-in and Twitter. Do that now.

Be Ready with your ELEVATOR SPEECH!
You should be able to answer these questions in the time it takes to get to the 15th floor!
-What is the cause your project is about?
-Why should we care?
-Why does it matter now?
-Why You?
-What can they do to help?
and remember: Give a deadline and don’t forget to ask for money!

Fund Raising Sites:
Create and Run Your Project Campaign on These Sites:
-Spot.Us  http://www.spot.us/
-The Point    http://www.thepoint.com/
-Kickstarter   http://www.kickstarter.com/

Build Your Own Campaign Website or WordPress blog with DONATE Widgets:
-ChipIn   http://www.chipin.com/
-Paypal Donate   https://merchant.paypal.com

Find Causes or Volunteer:
-Idealist  http://www.idealist.org/
-Causecast  http://www.causecast.org/
-Volunteer Match  http://www.volunteermatch.org/

Raise Money for Your Chosen Non-Profit:
-Crowdrise   http://www.crowdrise.com/
-Give Zooks!  http://www.givezooks.com/
-Network for Good   http://www1.networkforgood.org/

-Big Announcement!  Launching our first SalaamGarage Local Grant at this Meetup!  The grants will support writers, reporters, and bloggers to collaborate with photographers and other image-makers to create stories that matter.  SalaamGarage has always facilitated meaningful storytelling, now we are going one step further by supporting local media makers.  Together we are making a positive impact on the social issues effecting New Yorkers.  Anyone will be able to submit proposals and first grant will be awarded sometime in November. Thanks to our friends Spot.us!

-Sign up for the India 2011 trip. We will be in Jaipur during Diwali (festival of lights) and Pushkar during the Pushkar Camel Fair.  Our favorite little NGO, Vatsalya, will have so much to show us.  Watch for the India 2011 itinerary to be announced on the SalaamGarage site Tuesday.

Some of the amazing people who will be in attendance:
-Chat with Mira Zaki who just returned from Guatemala. Mira and SalaamGarage visited remote rural villages where NGO Agros International is empowering Mayan farmers with land ownership and sustainable agriculture practices.

-Meet photographer Omotomi Omalulu Lange who just returned from Uganda where she was working with L.E.A.D Uganda teaching photography to students. Ask her about L.E.A.D Uganda and the work she did last month.

-Matt Pascarella will be available to chat about his role as Bureau Chief at Demotix and his life as a modern journalist, film maker, reporter, photographer.

-We are also hoping Santa Barbara, CA based artist/photographer/blogger Lisa Field Elliot will be there to share her travel stories and blogging tales from Rajasthan, India and Uganda this past year.

-Finally, I am excited to be on hand to talk about the upcoming trip to Ethiopia in November.  Myself and an amazing team will embark on a journey to Ethiopia to create stories about women and obstetric fistula injuries at the Hamlin Fistula Hospital.

Click here to get details and to RSVP for this awesome happy hour get together!

It was filmed by humanitarian staff and freelance filmmakers from around the globe (over 50 contributors in total) with all time donated.

www.worldhumanitarianday.info

See you all again in August 2011!

Shona Witch Doctor in Zimbabwe

Once you have made sure you have all desired and required vaccinations for your upcoming trip, it is time to start packing your travel medicine kit. Below are three handy lists that I hope will help you complete your next packing endeavor.

Whether for SG Guatemala July 2010 or SG Ethiopia November 2010, this list applies to any trip to the developing world and remote places on our small planet.  Always visit the Centers for Disease Control website and enter your destination.  In addition, the CDC website has a search option to find a travel clinic near you.

‘The Traveler’s Medicine Cabinet’ by Dr. Richard Wenzel
Items that should be in every tourists first aid kit from Budget Travel Magazine
1. Antacid (Pepto Bismol, Pepcid Complete)
2. Bandages and First Aid Antibiotic Ointment  (Band-Aids, Nexcare, Neosporin, Polysporin, or Bacitracin)
3. Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Nuprin)
4. Insect repellent with over 30% deet  (Ultrathon 34%, Ben’s 30% Deet)
5. Motion Sickness Remedy (Dramamine, Marezine, Hyland’s Motion Sickness-Homeopathic, Pepogest-natural, )
6. Anti-Diarrheal (Imodium, Pepto Bismol,
7.  Antihistamines or Allergy Medicine (Benadryl)
8. Sunscreen
9. Antibiotic (Zithromax, Cipro)
10. Anti-Inflamatory Cream (Cortaid, 1% Hydrocortisone Cream)

Some alternatives to the above list can be found at the terrific Vagabondish Travelzine.
‘The Traveller’s Medicine Cabinet’ by Robert Evans
1. Kratom- “an anti-depressant, analgesic, or a stimulant. It has immuno-stimulant properties and can also be used to treat diarrhea.”
2. Kava Kava- Acts as a numbing agent, also can treat social anxiety and stress.
3. Oil of Oregano- Combats intestinal parasites, fights the flu and colds, and relieves cramps.
4. Ginger Root- Treats nausea, diarrhea, and seasickness
5. Kanna- Robert Evans says Kanna is a “mood elevator and an anti-anxiety medication. It also works as an appetite suppressant, and can lead to tiredness and vivid dreaming. In other words, Kanna is the perfect pre-flight medication.”

And finally, here is what I carry in my kit:
-Psi Bands for motion sickness (I wear them on buses to prevent motion sickness), I also carry a small travel vial of Dramamine and Hyland’s Homeopathic Motion Sickness tabs.
-Ginger chews by either The Ginger People or Reed’s.  You can tell I am prone to motion sickness.
-Off-label versions of Advil (muscle soreness), aspirin (good for sunburns), and Aleve (headaches)
-Valerian Root tincture for adjusting to jet lag and time zone differences
-Band-aids in different sizes, a few alcohol swabs, Neosporin
-Benadryl
-Ben’s 30 Deet insect repellent
-Sunscreen for face, for lips, and another for body.  30-50 SPF, and always a sunhat and good sunglasses.
-Digestive enzymes
-Pepto Bismol travel size.  Not only for upset stomach but also to take before eating or drinking suspect food.  It can coat the stomach before a street food adventure and protect from mild bacteria invasions.
-Rehydration salts, and/or Gatorade and EmergenC packets
-Mini deodorent, toothpaste, dental floss, Q-tips, 2-in-1 mini shampoo
-Clean Well hand sanitizer it’s natural, and Wet Ones singles
-Travel pack tissues, I stash packs of tissues in every bag.
-Mini nail file, pack of matches, mini nail clippers and tweezers, collapsible hair brush
-Cipro
-Earplugs
-Red bull in the 3oz size for after a long haul flight

This year I am taking Robert Evans’ advice and bringing Kanna.  I took Klonopin on my long last flight which was to India and it made for very comfortable flying.  Kanna sounds fun and is natural! A great online store for all things mini and travel size is Minimus.biz.  If everything is mini in your pack you reduce baggage weight then you have left more room in your pack for gifts and mementos.

Please comment, add to this list your tried and true travel medicine kit items! Happy Packing!

Making Injera in San Francisco

Making Injera in Gondar, Ethiopia

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One of the fastest ways to feel like a local when traveling is to eat like a local.  And, sometimes you need to prepare to eat like a local.  In less than 5 months we are embarking on an important trip to Ethiopia.  We still have a few spots left, so its not too late to join us in working towards eradicating obstetric fistula and it’s causes by making media that matters.

One of the most exciting things about Ethiopian culture is the cuisine.  In Ethiopia, there are a few things to learn before sitting down to eat.  Traditional Ethiopian cuisine is eaten with your hand, your right hand, and you shouldn’t get food on your fingers above the knuckles, bad table manners.  Visit eHow’s How To Eat Ethiopian Food for a step by step set of instructions.  Then, go eat with your fingers at the Ethiopian Restaurant near you.  Listed below are Ethiopian restaurants in many of the American cities the current SalaamGarage Ethiopian Team members reside in, including Omaha, Nebraska where there is a much loved Ethiopian market and restaurant!

Common Vegetarian dishes

Where to go for Ethiopian Food…

New York, NY
Zoma
2084 Frederick Douglass Blvd (Harlem near Morningside Park)
Awash
947 Amsterdam Ave (Upper Westside)
Ghenet Brooklyn
348 Douglass St (Park Slope, Gowanus, Brooklyn)

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Seattle, WA
Tagla
4423 Rainier Ave. (Columbia City)
Hidmo Eritrean Cuisine
2000 S Jackson St (Central)
Saba
110 12th Ave (Central/Capital Hill)
Assimba
2722 E Cherry St (Central District)

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Bete-Lukas in Portland

Portland, OR…
Bete-Lukas Ethiopian Restaurant
2504 SE 50th Ave Ste D (Clinton, Southeast)
E’Njoni
910 N Killingsworth St (North Portland)
Queen of Sheba
2413 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd (Northeast)

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN…
Fasika
510 Snelling Ave N, Saint Paul (Hamline – Midway)

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

San Francisco, CA
Assab Eritrean Restaurant
2845 Geary Blvd (NOPA)

Axum
698 Haight St (Lower Haight)

New Eritrea Restaurant
907 Irving St. (Inner Sunset)

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Omaha, NE…
Ethiopian Restaurant
2555 Leavenworth St. (between 25th and 26th)

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Los Angeles, CA…
Awash
5990 1/2 W Pico Blvd (West Los Angeles)

Merkato Ethiopian Restaurant & Market
1036 1/2 S Fairfax Ave (Carthay Sq)

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

And finally, the best places in the United States for Ethiopian cuisine is Washington, DC, where the largest population of Ethiopians live outside Ethiopia…

Dukem
1114-1118 U Street NW
(U Street corridor)

Dukem in Baltimore, MD
1100 Maryland Ave.
(Near Mount Royal Station)

Meskerem
2434 18th St NW (Adams Morgan)

Lalibela
1415 14th St NW (Logan Circle)

Etete
1942 9th St NW (U Street corridor)

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

a parting shot by Gary Edenfield while he was in Tigray, Ethiopia to drill a well with Charity Water…

Thanks Yelpers!  For more Ethiopian in the United States and Canada visit YELP! Please comment by including your favorite Ethiopian Bars and Restaurants anywhere!

]]> http://salaamgarage.com/2010/eat-out-getting-ready-for-ethiopia/feed/ 3 http://salaamgarage.com/2010/why-ethiopia-why-now/ http://salaamgarage.com/2010/why-ethiopia-why-now/#comments Fri, 25 Jun 2010 22:51:34 +0000 maggie soladay http://salaamgarage.com/?p=3154 SalaamGarage is currently building a team of media makers and storytellers to travel to Ethiopia in November 2010. On this trip we will explore the horrible and preventable birthing injury known as obstetric fistula. The causes, cures, and solutions to eradicating obstetric fistula entirely in the developing world lie in raising the status of girls worldwide.

Join Us in Ethiopia November 21, 2010- December 2, 2010

Addis

“At age 11, Addis’ childhood was over. Her education was the first casualty.”

Kidan

“She has plans. But there are other plans. How do you choose between your child’s education and your family’s survival?”

The Girl Effect

“The Girl Effect, n.: The powerful social and economic change brought about when girls have the opportunity to participate in their society.”

Below is a slideshow that was produced for NPR in 2007 that explains obstetric fistula and explores some of the causes.  At the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital lives and livelihoods are saved every day.  Every woman who comes to them with child birth injuries is treated completely free.

Hospital Gives Ethiopian Women a Chance at Care
by Brenda Wilson

Required viewing for all participants: The NOVA Documentary A Walk to Beautiful: “The award winning feature-length documentary A Walk to Beautiful tells the stories of five Ethiopian women who suffer from devastating childbirth injuries and embark on a journey to reclaim their lost dignity. Rejected by their husbands and ostracized by their communities, these women are left to spend the rest of their lives in loneliness and shame. They make the choice to take the long and arduous journey to the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital in search of a cure and a new life.” (available at Netflix instantly & by mail)

Click here for more from Brenda Wilson for NPR’s All Things Considered

Selam. Peace. Salaam. Shalom.

photo by Rolf Cosar

Yesterday the Pacaya Volcano in Guatemala erupted. Popular TV journalist Anibal Achila was killed by volcanic rocks, about 1,700 people have been displaced, and 3 children are missing.

In less than two months, a SalaamGarage team made up of a select group of citizen journalists (professional and amateur photographers, videographers, bloggers, etc) embark on an exclusive trip to the remote Ixil Triangle in Guatemala.  We are collaborating with NGO Agros International.  Agros provides economic stability and empowerment for farmers and families through land ownership.  The SalaamGarage team will have exclusive access to remote villages where we will create independent projects about the stories unfolding within. Those stories will raise awareness and increase support for Agros’ efforts throughout Central America.

There is 1 spot available for a media maker with the calling to make a big difference for oft neglected and under-served communities of Mayans and other indigenous people in rural Guatemala.  Although the deposit deadline has passed, it is not too late to get onboard. You must email megan@salaamgarage.com asap if you are interested.

Guatemalans always seem to be rebuilding. They have emerged from a 36 year civil war, recovered from landslides, and volcanic eruptions from one of the most active volcanoes in the world. Our stories will help with whatever the aftermath of yesterday’s eruption will be on the already struggling population.

Shot in Guatemala this last July, Noemi and her Mother explain why land ownership has changed their lives in this video: http://www.agros.org/video_gallery.cfm#agrosvideo-4

In addition to visiting villages, we will be exploring the churches and ruins of Antigua, climbing volcano Pacaya if it is safe, observing ancient Mayan rituals in practice at the Chichicastenango market, and staying in “Guatemala’s most magical hotel” on Lake Atitlan.  This is going to be a life changing trip and project.  SalaamGarage founder and internationally renowned documentary photographer Amanda Koster is leading this trip.

SalaamGarage will award the $300 Engage!Refund to 2 Guatemala trip participants who create and follow through on a plan of action utilizing their media production skills to support Agros villages.

All SalaamGarage participants get:
-A SalaamGarage “stories” site.  Stories.SalaamGarage.com is a media share site for those looking to organize and share media gathered during their trip. It works just like a wordpress blog but you get the broader audience.  An example is here: http://stories.salaamgarage.com/michael/
-Refer-a-friend $200 discount on your next trip.
-All past travelers automatically receive a $200 discount
-Free Blurb book, click here for more BLURB partnership info
-Special fund raising support and opportunities exclusive to SalaamGarage participants

Pacaya Volcano on a gentler day

Join us in creating media projects and raising awareness about Agros International’s unique land-lending model that is empowering rural families to pull themselves out of poverty.

http://www.thanhniennews.com/features/?catid=10&newsid=55297

Photographer Janat Horn and Journalist Daysha Eaton’s Vietnam landmines story published at Vietnamese English Language paper Thanh Nie News.  Congrats you two!

Exerpt:

50-year-old Cuc lives in Dong Ha, just west of Hue. She has called the dusty town of less than twenty thousand people home for most of her life.

She survived the war years unharmed. But about ten years later a remnant of the war changed her life forever.

“It was an afternoon in 1986. I was cleaning the garden with my father. There was a landmine and I was severely injured. I just lay there in the garden for about an hour and then my family took me to hospital.”

It all happened so fast that she doesn’t remember much about the accident, only that people said it was a cluster bomb.

However, she does recall the despair she felt when she woke up in the hospital. “When I woke up the next day, I found out I had lost parts of my body… people were frightened when they saw me. When my family brought my son in, he was one year old then, he was scared and cried and he just wanted to go home. I was downhearted and I didn’t want to go back to my family.”

Unfortunately, Cuc’s story is not uncommon in Quang Tri. Since the war ended in 1975 more than seven thousand people have been killed or injured by unexploded ordnance, or UXO, in the province.

Thanks to SalaamGarage partner NGO Peacetrees Vietnam for being so instrumental in clearing Quang Tri Provence of UXO’s.  Please read further this powerful story reported on during January 2010 SalaamGarage Trip to Vietnam here:

http://www.thanhniennews.com/features/?catid=10&newsid=55297

The SalaamGarage India team that visited Vatsalya.org this past September are in high gear working on their stories, building a book, building multimedia.  To inspire us further, we found out today that Vatsalya bought a new, much needed water buffalo for Udayan through a donation from SalaamGarage’s ’10% of profit to NGO’ policy. So, our travelers bought this little guy! Their small herd helps with farm work and provide the children with training in dairy work, farming, livestock care, and of course isn’t it cool to own and care for water buffalo?  Udayan might someday have enough water buffalo to run a small dairy for income.

Check out Surili and her baby buffalo!

Unfortunately the event they fear most happened again this week.  Four men who were weeding at a coffee plantation near the former US military base at Khe Sahn were seriously injured Sunday Feb. 7, 2010 when they accidently detonated a hidden bomb.

Landmines.org reported, “‘My hoe hit the bomb while I was removing weeds from around a coffee tree,’ Chung said. ‘My cousins were all behind me. I don’t know what the ordnance was.’ Chung said he was in severe pain because all four of his limbs were badly injured. The explosion severed his right hand’s thumb and index finger. Open wounds could be seen on his left thigh and shin, and his right foot was badly injured.

For more on this story please visit Landmines.org

photos by Amanda Koster, 2010

[mappress]

On the SalaamGarage trip to India in September 2009, Lisa was moved like I rarely ever see. Everyone who travels with SalaamGarage gets to choose the story they are going to tell but for Lisa, it was she who was chosen.
Lisa Field-Elliot and Eduardo Sciammarella, 2 of the 10 participants on the India project, chose to report on the Women’s Self-Help Groups that Jaipur, India based Vatsalya.org runs. None of us knew how amazing and life changing this program was till we experienced it.

Lisa describes what it was like when she met Sugan: “She put her arm around me and called me sister. She gave me a beautiful Rajasthani dress, that may take her up to six months to replace, because she wanted me to wear it when I came to visit her home.”  Lisa adds, “Sugan knew that we are the same. We are women. We are mothers. We are curious seekers of beauty and connection. We enjoy laughter and tea. We want only the best for our children. We care for our homes and want to be useful outside them. Our hearts are open.”

“It only took a moment, an afternoon, for Sugan and I to really see one another. To see ourselves, reflected back, in the simplicity of who we are. What I learned from my time with Sugan in the rural Indian village of Shampura, is that, at the bottom of things, we are the same. That our stories collide in a meeting. My story about Sugan is as much about myself as it is about her. It is about connection, being seen, and helping a woman, a sister, realize her potential in this world.”

For more of Lisa’s beautiful and breathtaking words, please read about her visit to the Durgah Sufi Shrine in Ajmer India at her blog entry called “Thread”

Lisa Field-Elliot’s blog Doorwaystraveler
twitter.com/doorwaystravelr

Eduardo said, “the woman I interviewed is Santosh Kanwar, she’s 26 with 4 little ones – Anshuman, Radha, Deepika, and Abnishiek. She touched me as deeply as it gets when she answered my question ‘what has been the biggest change for you since you joined the women’s self-help group?’ She said that she had finally learned the first names of all the women in her village. Up until then they only knew each other as so and so’s wife. Step one on the path to independence – identity.”

Santosh Kanwar photo by Eduardo Sciammarella

Santosh Kanwar photo by Eduardo Sciammarella

-Maggie Soladay, India 2009 trip producer

Here are a few flip videos I recorded at Udayan home for children and Anoothi shop run by Vatsalya.org

www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqzWtrQAX8o

www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXurHUX9dVc

www.youtube.com/watch?v=_he_9_E6iRg