Ethiopian Women Share Story Of Struggle And Hope

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) - Golu Bolu and Dobi Oyita live in Ethiopia.

They are in the United States to attend the 14th session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues at U.N. headquarters in New York.

Gulo and Dobi are hoping to gain insight into how they can become more effective leaders back home.

They are in the Twin Cities to speak with Lori Pappas at a fundraiser on Female Leadership in Transition.

Through an interpreter, they described the conditions where they live.

Golu said she had no rights and no say in any of the daily activities.

She said they had no opportunity to make money and no voice in public or private matters. She owned no property and was controlled by her father, brothers and husband.

Then came the Global Team for Local Initiatives, founded by Pappas, an Edina native.

Pappas hosted the two women in her home.

She said the program's mission is to help people help themselves, "to figure out how they can opportunity to make a difference in their own life."

Pappas started a successful computer business many years ago, sold it and decided to retire.

On a trip overseas, she decided to move to Ethiopia and start working with indigenous people.

She said the first effort involved getting a school going for the women to attend.

"Figuring out how to do sanitation to stop the diarrhea of the babies," she said

Millions of babies die every year from that sickness, but she says it doesn't get the same attention as Ebola.

She said change is never easy.

Golu's husband threatened her repeatedly, insisting she forget about school.

But she persisted and she is now revered in her community and her advice is sought even from men.

Pappas said they continue to need financial help from anyone would can give it.

To donate and find out more, you can visit gtli.us.