I would like to start by congratulating People to People for its decade of achievement, supporting the Ethiopian people and the various institutions in our Government that have been working to facilitate the contribution of the Ethiopian Diaspora to our national developm e n t . Spearheaded by our Foreign Service institutions in Government, we have been working relentlessly to promote the contribution of the Ethiopian Diaspora to the people of Ethiopia. In this regard, we are delighted to note that various initiatives are adding tremendous value. As we stand on the watershed of the Ethiopian Third millennium, we commend the leadership role played by Ethiopians living abroad for this unprecedented mission and extraordinary clarity of objective; focussed on harnessing the massive human potential and resources within our Diaspora to a better worth back home.
By and large, the Ethiopian Diaspora is highly educated and technically advanced and can crucially contribute to national development by advancing think tanks that nurture democratic and human development values and develop entrepreneurial culture in Ethiopian society. The arguments for such participation of the Diaspora are beyond eloquent truth that transcends partisan rhetoric. The fact that People to People has focussed its attention on key challenges and the defining the role of the Diaspora in righting them is evidence that we have moved to the dictum to ask, “What the Diaspora can do to a historic nation that nurtured and educated them”. We are also encouraged to know that People to people is focussed on well researched issues, bringing together friends of Ethiopia, as optimal venues for investment in human development, creating a sense of community and commitment and opportunities for exchange of knowledge and information.
The immense polarization of views notwithstanding, we are delighted to witness that the Diaspora and friends of Ethiopia are taking their commitment to promote dialogue and contribute proactively to the discourse on all fronts of development thought, actions, and best practices in fighting poverty and the diseases of poverty. Finally, we wish to congratulate P2P’ leadership, and, in particular, Dr Enawgaw Mehari, for its decade of contribution to such efforts, and once again, we would avail ourselves of this opportunity to reiterate our Government’s support for facilitating the contribution of the Diaspora to the much needed development of human qualities in Ethiopia
Girma Wolde Giorgis
President Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
Chair, National HIV/AIDS Council
Serving as U.S. ambassador to Ethiopia from 1996 to 1999, I was present at the creation of People to People. Dr. Enawgaw Mehari visited the American embassy in Addis Ababa one day and asked my advice on establishing such an organization. I encouraged him to pursue the idea and, after my retirement from the U.S. Department of State, associated myself with People to People as an unofficial adviser. I was also privileged to accompany several People to People delegations to Ethiopia. I have watched it grow from a very small organization to a significant one that is now widely known and respected in the region. The credit goes to Dr. Enawgaw and the many volunteers he has solicited over the past ten years to help expand its activities. I wish People to People even greater success over the next ten years in its efforts to make life better for people of Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa.
David H. Shinn, PhD
Adjunct Professor
Elliott School of International Affairs
George Washington University
Former US Ambassador to Ethiopia
It was certainly more than 20 years ago that I had thoroughly enjoyed my first experience with Kitfo and Injera and many other foods of Ethiopian cuisine in one of Washington D.C.’s splendid restaurants. And of course there is always the ceremonial Ethiopian coffee. But perhaps it wasn’t until I began working with the founder of People 2 People, my good friend Enawgaw Mehari, that I truly began to appreciate the rich historical culture and great generosity of spirit of Ethiopian people
I enlisted Enawgaw in a project to develop programs at NINDS of international interest in HIV/AIDS beyond the borders of the US, a project I called the International Consortium for AIDS have many names and diverse and noble goals, they do not seem to match the personal Neuroscience or ICAN. While these types of programs have blossomed into many countries and passionate efforts of a movement such as People to People. This was made even more evident to me in my visit to Addis Ababa some years ago in meetings with physicians and care takers at the Black Lion Hospital and other friends in the city. In the time since that visit, I have met with members of People to People and have offered ideas and suggestions on how to further the health of Ethiopians in their country, train their doctors and scientists, and build stronger contacts with those of us here in the US. I have seen the growth of People to People in not only numbers but in scope, participation of new members and attraction of support from other organizations with global interests. It has been remarkable to witness the building of this organization but not surprising. The dedication of its founder and its members is matched only by the energy and persistence of its activities and the pride in pursuing its cause. The success of its signature methods of reaching out to Ethiopian people by Ethiopian people and those remaining of us who have become part of this has at times been inspiring. It is difficult to imagine it has been only 10 years. I can only wonder what People to People will accomplish over the next 10 years. I can make this promise that I will be a witness to those future years and, in whatever way I can, continue to add effort and pride with People to People.
Gene Major, PhD
National Institute of Health
The Faculty of Medicine of AA University is delighted to express its congratulatory remarks to P2P on its celebration of its tenth anniversary. P2P’s mission of partnering with our institutions of health care professionals training and supporting departments in their efforts to improve quality of care has been a tremendous asset. Many of the Diaspora health professionals that are participating in a giving back mission, that P2P under the leadership of Dr. Enawgaw Mehari is accomplishing, passed through this and other medical schools in Ethiopia. Of course many who have not, had their conscientious obligations to give back to their nation as well. We are grateful to see this happen and continue to happen. We owe our gratitude to P2P for this organized mission that eventually will benefit the Ethiopian people. We thank P2P and through it the Diaspora and wish us all even a more successful 10 years to come.
Dr. Miliard Derbew MD, FRCS, FCS (ECSA)
Pediatric General Surgeon
Dean, Faculty of Medicine
Addis Ababa University
Congratulations People to People on your 10th Anniversary and many more successful returns.
Anniversary celebrations are routine, but when an institution devoted to bring about changes to the lives of people less fortunate by addressing their health and humanitarian needs, observes an anniversary it is a special occasion. People to People is such an institution, and deserves special recognition on this occasion, not only because of its humanitarian objectives, but even more so for influencing people from all walks of life and different countries to join hands and work together for a common goal – bringing a positive change to the lives of people.
My congratulation goes to Dr Enawgaw Mahari too, president and founder of People to People, a true humanitarian, for his visionary influence in establishing this forum. People to People truly lives up to its name.
Ethiopian Airlines is proud to have been a part of this endeavor in supporting the efforts of People to People.
Girma Wake
CEO, Ethiopian Airlines
Ever since I met Dr. Enawgaw Mehari in New York about 8 years ago, listened to him and the “P2P” initiatives, I have never felt so strongly about service to people. Maya Angelou says; “when we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed”.
People to People taught me or reminded me that if you serve with all your heart, and give cheerfully, and share whatever little you have with those who may have less than you, everyone is blessed. I had the opportunity to visit Addis Ababa with Dr Mehari for the New Year celebrations with the Orphanages. I was amazed at how happy, well, and energetic they all looked, in spite of not having their parents anymore. I was sad, I could not stop crying, because they embraced me so much, they looked much happier than I was, with a mother! They looked more content than all of us in that hall. But all this was about the power of feeling loved, wanted, protected, which they all had and provided by PEOPLE TO PEOPLE.
During this time in the world when humanity is loosing feelings of empathy, sharing, and caring, and when every request for assistance will be met with the response about the Global Financial crisis, I have no doubt in my mind that People to People will prevail. Your work for your people, which speaks for itself, will beckon those with good fortunes to continue to share with People to People for a better Ethiopia, and a better world. Thanks for inviting me into this organization 8 years ago and opening my eyes. GOD Bless p2p, God bless and keep Enawgaw Mehari, the founder of p2p; give him more good health, energy, the blessings and protection, to him and his family.
Ambassador Dr. Konji Sebati
Ambassade d’Afrique du Sud en France &
Permanent delegate to UNESCO
It is with real pleasure that I congratulate People to People (P2P) on their 10th anniversary. It hardly seems possible that 10 years ago some of us met in Addis Ababa with Dr. Enawgaw Mehari to discuss the challenge of HIV/AIDS in the world. At that meeting, we particularly shared our concerns about HIV in Ethiopia, and I congratulate Dr. Mehari for taking the initiative to create P2P to help bring health care and training in HIV/AIDS to Ethiopia. It has been gratifying to see the growth of P2P and its interactions as a non-government organization with the Ethiopian Minister of Health and other groups directed at improving medical services, particularly for HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia. The strength of the organization can also be mirrored in the number of internet exchanges among members of P2P and in the manner by which each participant aims to help the other. The Ethiopian people should be grateful for having this organization which strives to help improve the level of health care in the country. I certainly feel privileged to be part of P2P and wish it the very best in the many years to come.
Jay A. Levy, MD
Professor of Medicine
University of California, San Francisco
This letter is written to congratulate you for providing a much-needed program for Ethiopians for over ten years. Your upcoming 10th Anniversary of the People2People conference requires a lot of work and commitment and you have done a masterful job with this effort. You have built a powerful and remarkable organization that serves the needs of people of Ethiopians and others, and I am extremely excited to be part of the conference as we induct three of Ethiopia’s greatest athletes ever! I have watched you grow this organization into a worldwide name in health. Your commitment is unparallel. Your effort to assist people with health issues is a noble cause and one must have a passion for helping people and you certainly have that. I am honored to know you and to be part of the celebration in Addis Ababa on May 8, 2009. I wish you continued success for this organization and have no doubt what People2People will look like during the next 10 years.
Arif Khatib President - African American
Ethnic Sports Hall of Fame
