A Message From PaulosFrom the South end of the world.....
To the North ...
"All things are possible with God!"
South Omo is home to a unique culture. Not only is this area and its people unique to Africa, it is, indeed, unique to the world.
South Omo remains practically undiscovered by most nations and international communities. This region is named for the River Omo and lies in the southern part of Ethiopia, bordering Kenya and Sudan and is inhabited by mostly nomadic and semi-nomadic ethnic groups. These groups, for the most part, live with non-existent infrastructure. This disadvantage is a direct result of historical neglect of a typically marginal region and Ethiopia’s socially most-diverse zone containing 16 different tribes. What compounds the existing problems of acute shortage of basic infrastructure is social isolation for the estimated total population of 800,754. The tribes of South Omo live today, the way they’ve lived for centuries. It is from one of these tribes that I am from.
I was born and raised in South Omo. When I left, I left behind my entire family, extended family and cherished friends with whom I shared my life experiences. Those experiences included surviving days without any of life’s most basic needs, and life in jail as a political prisoner.
It will likely take years to make the differences necessary, but if we act immediately, our journey can begin with plenty of hope. I envision change in the lives of people in South Omo who, presently, live trapped within deadly superstitions. I believe that, in only a few years, we can bring effective change. Enough change that the people of South Omo will see a choice beyond “throwing” their babies in the bush to die.
Some people have questioned my motives in singling South Omo out for our help. They ask, “Why do you choose South Omo and not all of Ethiopia? Is it because you belonged to one of the tribes in that region?” I believe in humanity more so than ethnicity and that is why I would like to be a voice for all of the 16 tribes of South Omo.
In the future, I would like to expand our resources to help throughout Ethiopia, Africa, or anywhere in the world where there is need. I want so much to help make the world a better place for all of humanity as God guides us.
Sincerely,
Paulos Gote
