When I visited Ethiopia in 2021, I witnessed the harsh reality of poverty. The country is locked in the past. The vast majority of the country has limited access to clean water, electricity, healthcare, and transportation.

In many other countries that I have visited when poverty is prevalent, you can see beggars everywhere. Children are not an exception. In Ethiopia, I haven’t noticed many beggars or homeless people. The children were very friendly. If you ask them what they want, the majority will ask for a pen. Yes, a PEN! They are eager to go to school and study, but the financial struggle is real.

We managed to buy dozens of boxes, which was another struggle to find them. Our guide was very helpful in finding them, it took us more than an hour of driving to find a place that sells pens. I learned from that experience that I need to do more research about the needs in any country I visit. Furthermore, I will put aside some money to buy things that bring happiness to the children. You can help as well!