| percent of marriages in Ethiopia involve the abduction of young girls, eleven
and twelve years old. The girls are abducted so the husbands can avoid paying the traditional "dowry." After the abductions,
the girls are raped, and frequently deserted by their husbands.
Another factor accounting for child abuse is the philosophy as to the
status of children in the Ethiopian family and society. In Ethiopia, unlike
the western world, children are the last priority. ELI learned this
through their work with the Ethiopian community in Israel. It was
noted when Ethiopians started arriving in Israel en masse, that malnourished
infants stayed malnourished despite the provision of formula
and food. Authorities came to learn that the parents were consuming
the formula themselves, and leaving nothing for their children.
While in Ethiopia, ELI found a very enthusiastic and motivated group of
professionals, in law enforcement, welfare, health and human services
and the education fields. They were eager to learn in order to help
Ethiopia to adopt a more modern philosophy and infrastructure concerning
children's rights. Although three weeks is a short time, Dr. Zimrin
believes that she and Barbara Reichel "succeeded in shaking up their
world, and beginning a process of change." Over the course of the
three weeks, ELI taught this group a great deal, but also found the
opportunity to learn from them, in particular in order to better serve the
Ethiopian population in Israel.
During their stay in Ethiopia, Dr. Zimrin and Ms. Reichel were exposed,
first-hand, to Ethiopian culture. ELI is now better equipped to deal with
built in cultural barriers such as the tendency not to show emotion
which previously made therapy more difficult. The traditional Ethiopian
Coffee Ceremony is a two hour ritual which takes place twice daily,
where neighbors gather and gossip while roasting, grounding and
preparing, and drinking the coffee. There are several objects used in
the ceremony including a primitive grinder, a small portable stove etc.
ELI purchased authentic Coffee Ceremony accoutrements in order to
replicate the ceremony for the Ethiopian community in Israel. ELI will
use the traditional ceremony in which Ethiopians feel comfortable, to
infuse therapeutic content.
The time in Ethiopia proved valuable for ELI, as well as for the
professionals in Ethiopia who will in turn begin to improve the lives of
their neglected and abused children. As a supporter of ELI you are not
only helping to ease the pain of child abuse in Israel, but internationally
as well.
In mid-April, Dr. Zimrin was invited back to Ethiopia once again by
"Save the Children, Norway" in order to begin training Ethiopians on the
subject of cooperation between governments and NGO's, (Non Governmental
Organizations). The second trip will take place this summer. |