Ethiopia is registered as one of the poorest countries in the world.  With a population of 78 million, Ethiopia's GDP is US$62 billion and has a GDP per capita of US$800 (PPP, 2007 estimate).  Drought is common in Ethiopia and over 80 percent of employment is within the agricultural sector and 38.7 percent of the population lives below the poverty line. The adult literacy rate is only 50.3 percent among men and 35.1 percent among women.  [1] 

Although the world youth population is growing rapidly, many young people face serious obstacles.  Many of Ethiopia's youth are intelligent, ambitious, curious, motivated and want to gain technical, financial and life skills but are often poorly prepared to identify, seize, and generate employment opportunities for themselves. Those whose energies are not channeled productively represent a tremendous waste of human potential.

DOT Ethiopia is collaborating with our community partners to offer ReachUp! training, helping others to explore opportunities to practice new skills, and prepare for a career.  It is DOT Ethiopia's plan to find successful means for using market-driven strategies to help vulnerable and at risk young people gain employment or become successful micro-entrepreneurs.

The program strategies, both present and future, include:

• Reaching marginalized and at-risk youth
• Creating linkages between communities and successful local businesses
• Initiating savings clubs among aspiring DOT graduates and Interns
• Identifying opportunities for cross-cultural exchanges
• Reducing insecurity and vulnerability through economic stability

DOT Ethiopia selected all women Interns for this year's ReachUp! program.  Access to new ICTs is still a distant reality for the vast majority of Ethiopians, especially women.  Ethiopian women often lack opportunities for computer skills training and understanding the relevance of technology to their daily lives, and who also face cultural restrictions on mobility.  DOT Ethiopia hopes that our Interns will inspire and encourage change for these women and their communities.

[1]  Information from The World Factbook.