Special Library Exhibit to Celebrate Work of Ethiopia Reads Founder

DENVER – To celebrate the conferring of an honorary doctorate on Yohannes Gebregeorgis (left), founder of Ethiopia Reads, Regis University’s Dayton Memorial Library will exhibit photos and artifacts showcasing the children of Ethiopia and the impact of Gebregeorgis’ work in their lives.

The exhibit is May 1-10 in the library’s Doyle and Margaret Hartman Exhibit Gallery.

Gebregeorgis will receive an honorary degree in public service during the 10 a.m. May 9 spring commencement ceremony.  On rare occasions, the Regis University Board of Trustees authorizes the awarding of honorary degrees to individuals who have led lives of distinguished service and professional achievement. 

Moved by the lack of children's books and low literacy rates in his native Ethiopia, Gebregeorgis established Ethiopia Reads, bringing free public libraries and literacy programs to thousands of Ethiopian children.  Today, the organization provides thousands of books to children in Ethiopia, has assisted in opening 10 free school libraries, delivers books via a Mobile Donkey Libraries Program to children in difficult to reach locations, and publishes books in the Ethiopian language of Amharic.  He has given years of his life and much of his own money to fulfill the dream of spreading the love of reading to children. 

In addition to the photos, the exhibit includes three Ethiopian processional crosses donated to the St. John Francis Regis Chapel, traditional Ethiopian dresses, wooden triptychs, dolls, baskets, pottery, and an Ethiopian toothbrush.  

Various books in Amharic, English, Tigrigna, and Afaan Oromoo published by Ethiopia Reads will also be on display.  Of special note is the inclusion of Gebregeorgis’ book, “Silly Mammo.”  This bilingual story is the adaptation of a classical Ethiopian folktale about a silly boy who does silly things. 

Gebregeorgis was one of CNN’s Top 10 Heroes of the Year for 2008 and is a recipient of the 2008 Presidential Citation for International Innovation from the American Library Association.