Finding serenity
in South Omo
Ethiopia has always drawn the interest of a wide ranging spectrum
of global travelers and those who wish to seek their destiny in
this cradle of humanity.
The list is long of foreign admirers who traversed great distances,
often on uncharted journeys of discovery in search of this beautiful
country and more importantly, of themselves.
The imperial courts of Ethiopian dynasties hosted explorers, traders,
emissaries and itinerant bards, as recounted in the chronicles of
times past. However, Ethiopian hospitality was not limited to the
upper crust of society.
Ethiopians in all walks of life, in cities and in the remotest of
rural communities, exhibit this welcoming trait without exception.
In South Omo, perhaps the country’s lushest area, the diverse
ethnic communities have taken in a person who has not only crossed
oceans to get there but also has traveled across civilizations to
be among them. Tim Ricker is an American who calls South Omo home.
A missionary born to missionary parents in Ethiopia, Tim returned
to the Mursi (a tribe in South Omo) to continue where his parents
left off many years ago.
He is where he feels he should have always been and praises his
new community as one where love and sharing are prized.
Capital’s Addis Mulugeta, was recently in South Omo and met
Tim as he went about his missionary duties. Excerpts:
Capital: Tell us of how you came to settle in Ethiopia?
Tim Ricker: My parents are Americans and first came to Ethiopia
as missionaries. Fortunately, I was born here and lived for a long
time in Ethiopia before we went back to our homeland. This and the
fact that Ethiopia is the cradle of mankind are the factors why
I chose Ethiopia as my permanent home. Additionally, my wife is
from Addis Ababa. We have three sons who like us are fluent in English,
Amharic and Mursi.
Capital: How useful has it been to speak Ethiopian languages?
Tim: Oh, very much because I have a mission; God sent me to share
my experiences, especially among the Mursi ethnic group. Therefore
I can address this mission from God effectively and actively by
learning the local language the best way I can.
Capital: How is your work progressing?
Tim: Ethiopia is my birthplace and I know the culture well. I came
to Mursi four years ago, and I am sharing my experiences daily,
including in missionary work. In 2004, we opened the first school
in Mursi. This school primarily teaches non-formal education from
the government curriculum and preaches the Holy Bible in Mursi.
Almost all the children have joined our school. In addition, I participate
in the construction of clinics, roads, and electricity as well as
in agricultural activities.
Capital: How was the school funded?
Tim: The Embassy of Japan provided all the funds to build the school.
Beyond that our friends abroad and in Ethiopia have also contributed.
Capital: How do you regard Ethiopian culture?
Tim: The culture in general is of high diversity and of great beauty.
When you come here to the south, you find nature’s splendor,
including my home Mursi I love the tradition and have already decided
to live here for the rest of my life. Mursi culture is quite different
from the rest of Ethiopia. They are pastoralists and their food,
drink and clothing is quite unique from the majority farming communities
in Ethiopia.
Capital: In what ways is life in South Omo different from
that in the United States?
Tim: Life in South Omo is different not only from the United States
but also from Addis Ababa. The government has not yet provided many
things to the community equally as with other places. We do not
have clean water sources and have for dig underground wells for
our consumption and for the school. The problem of electric lighting
and the absence of adequate shops, hotels and telephone service,
these things make daily life very difficult.
Capital: Do you keep in touch with your family back in
the US? Have they ever visited you?
Tim: I keep in contact with my family. Relatives from the U.S as
well as from Addis Ababa come and visit us.
Capital: What would be your message to tourists who plan
to visit South Omo?
Tim: South Omo is a very unique place, which is very beautiful with
a lot of wildlife. The tradition and the culture are also very different.
Omo is one of the largest and biologicaly richest national parks.
Any tourist who wants to come here should obtain information regarding
the difficulties and also the positive things that are happening.
Capital: Is preaching the Bible helping to resolve conflict
in the area?
Tim: Naturally, humankind is very selfish. The gospel is bringing
peace and that is why our teaching of the Bible in this particular
area is making a difference in inter-relationships.
News
By Groum Abate
The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has announced
that it has seized a suspect which allegedly committed a felony
in relation to land allocation in Kole Keranio Sub City.
The suspect was detained on Thursday, February 21 by the Commission.
The Commission has been looking for the suspect since May 2007.
Three of the four suspects involved the land allocation scheme have
been caught.
The four individuals were charged with cheating on the 53rd round
of lease auction.
The Commission has also said that it has apprehended two prosecutors
working with the Arada First Criminal Bench, receiving a 300 birr
bribe to drop the charges of another individual.
The two were caught red handed on Friday, February 22, 2008.
According to the corruption survey conducted by Addis Ababa University
(AAU) in 2001, fraud, cheating, trickery, embezzlement, extortion,
nepotism and theft are believed to be the principal features by
which corruption has manifested itself in Ethiopia.
Experts cite poor governance, low level of democratic culture and
tradition, lack of citizen participation, low level of institutional
control, extreme poverty, inequality and harmful cultural practices
as major causes of corruption in the country.
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