Birtukan Gizachew

Country: Ethiopia

My birthday is 2011-06-08

Status: Vulnerable Child

I enjoy helping with chores around the house.

I want to be a doctor.

My favorite subject is English.

Birtukan is 13 years old and lives with her mother, father, and 5 siblings in the village of Addis Ababa. Her parents both work scavenging the trash dump, searching for food and other materials that can be sold. Birtukan is number two in her class and her favorite subject is English. She enjoys helping her family with chores in her free time and she wants to be a doctor one day. She loves the color red and her favorite food is pasta. 

Ethiopia is located in East Africa and has the second-largest population among all African countries. Approximately 78% of Ethiopians struggle to survive on an income of less than $2 per day. The nation has faced challenges such as civil wars, famine, drought, and the spread of diseases like leprosy. Ethiopia’s widespread poverty has resulted in nationwide hunger, malnutrition, and preventable diseases, all of which account for at least 60% of the country's health problems. Despite facing significant challenges, Ethiopia possesses a rich culture and a long history worth celebrating.