The African Gourmet

The African country, Ethiopia manufactures the for the most part the most distinctive and captivating coffees on the plant.  Three foremost regions where Ethiopian coffee beans originate are Harrar, Ghimbi, and Sidamo also known as Yirgacheffe. Ethiopian Yirgacheffee coffee may also be labeled as Sidamo, which is the district where it is produced. The Ethiopian Yirgacheffee coffee bean is the most favored coffee grown in southern Ethiopia and is serene and aromatic. Ethiopian Harrar coffee beans are grown on small farms in the eastern part of the country. They are dry-processed and are labeled as longberry, shortberry, or peaberry.  Ethiopian Harrar coffee can have a strong dry edge, winy to fruit like acidity, rich aroma, and a heavy body. Ethiopian Harrar coffee is frequently used in espresso blends.

Beatrice Page, a student of the Nancy B. Doe Elementary School, Bong Mines, Bong County, Liberia, is a participant in USAID’s accelerated learning program which allows students who missed out on schooling due to the collapse of the system to complete six grades in three years. She entered the limelight when she participated in the 2009 spelling bee organized by the American Embassy in Monrovia. Page won a three–round contest in her school, a five-round contest in Gbarnga, the County seat, and hung with the top spellers for the first five rounds, out of 11, at the National Spelling Bee in Monrovia.

Page is 16 years old and the second of six children. Her parents are farmers living in Gbarnga. According to Page, her parents could not afford to send her to school beyond the fourth grade. She decided to move to the area near Bong Mines in order to get a job to fund her education. Page was able to live with a friend, whose mother was generous enough to accept her. She then embarked on a small business venture selling kala (a locally made doughnut eaten with pepper sauce) in order to pay living expenses and send herself to school.

Page said she heard from her friend about the USAID program that would help her complete elementary school more rapidly than younger students. She is doing very well in school and has taken the sixth grade exams. Her dream is to attend one of the best high schools in Gbarnga, preferably St. Martins Catholic High School.

“Spelling is my best subject,” said Page when asked why she chose to enter the spelling bee. She described the experience as wonderful, “If I have the chance to do it again, I’ll surely do it.”

Source: USAID Photo by Creative Associates International

Sub-Saharan Africa faces some of the most severe development challenges in the world. Yet there is room for hope on a number of fronts. Within many countries, local communities are taking more responsibility for their children’s education and the preservation of their environment. Communities are also demanding a greater voice in how they are governed and how resources are used, all signs of better, more democratic governance on the continent. Expanded programs to fight HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases are being implemented throughout Africa. New projects to encourage trade and agricultural growth have the potential to accelerate economic development.

Regional initiatives such as the African-led New Partnership for Africa’s Development signal an increased commitment by national leaders. America’s future is inexorably linked with Africa. The goals of reducing poverty, mitigating conflict, fostering democracy, strengthening education, protecting the environment, and lowering HIV/AIDS rates are important issues.

Credit USAID