Awramba is a world to itself. The community was begun in 1985 by an Ethiopian man who believed that the only way to rise from poverty was not through dependency upon others or through prayer, but by education and hard work. Amramba is the only known atheistic society in Ethiopia. And it is the only place in Ethiopia where I’ve experienced a true equality between men and women.
As usual, I had no idea what to expect. “Clueless” is the best way to travel because then you are never disappointed! Anyways….the community is charming. It’s clean, quiet (no gaggle of kids chanting “you, you, you” or “you, money”), and well-run. I only wish that some of the same principles would be adopted by other Ethiopian communities.
The community has its own pre-school that is attended not only by 4 year-olds, but by adults who would like to learn to read and write. The kids of Amramba take advantage of government education for primary school and beyond and ultimately have a choice whether or not to spend their adulthood in Awramba. Some leave, many return.
The 100+ families in this community are quite progressive. They’ve constructed 2 libraries, a hostel (for visitors), and a fabulous nursing home. The concept of a nursing home does not exist in Ethiopia and consequently there are many sick, elderly people who are left by their families to sit and beg along the streets during the day. In Awramba, the elderly are not only respected (as is true in the rest of Ethiopia), but are cared for by everyone in the community.
Awramba’s income is primarily generated from weaving. I had no idea the cachopony that results from shuttles being flung back and forth across 20 looms. For a moment I thought we were entering an arcade! The adults in Awramba work 6 days a week and then have the 7th day to do their own personal work or to rest (not everyone is at the same level financially due to how each individual chooses to spend their 7th day).
Overall, it was an enlightening visit, and once again, I left with a few less birr in my pocket. I couldn’t resist a beautiful hand-woven cotton robe to remind me of this fascinating place.
Amrumba’s schoolhouse.
The original library
The new library. The “bookshelf” is entirely constructed from a mud/manure/straw mix. Creative, eh?
No problem with bringing your child to work here!
This woman kindly opened her home to us. She’s working on her own personal weaving. The little guy was breastfeeding while we were there, but stopped long enough to give me a wave on our way out.
