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The photographer is Michele Zousmer, who shared her photographs and experiences from her recent trip to Jinka and the Omo Valley. Last week a group of friends of OMO CHILD met to hear Michele describe her visit to Jinka and the Omo River Valley. Our local OMO CHILD group, Ariyo, Gido, Gude and the entire staff at the homes in Jinka were wonderful hosts.

Michele really appreciated her time in Jinka with OMO CHILD. She said, “it was the highlight of her trip to southwest Ethiopia.” She reported that the children were clean and healthy and it was a loving and nurturing place. Gido, Sophia and all the women of OMO CHILD in Jinka who are providing the love and care for these children are very special people and doing an amazing job.

Most importantly one must pause and think about this little girl and what can be done to help. With the donations that are received and the work that is constantly being done, she and others are being given a chance at life. This is why OMO CHILD exists.

Please spread the word, even $25 a month helps. Join our cause where a monthly gift of $25, $50, or more can make real change. By becoming a monthly donor you will help us rescue these children and provide them with lifesaving care, nutrition, education and so much more. Every gift saves lives.

OMO CHILD needs your support. Please donate today!

The Tribes who live along the Omo River such as the Kara, Bodi,
Daasanach, Kwegu, Mursit, and Nyangatom depend on a practice know as
‘flood retreat cultivation’ to produce and maintain their crops.  They
use the rich silt that remains on the river banks as the water level
recedes during dryer times of the year.  Other tribes such as the
Hamar, Chai, and Turkana live away from the river but maintain an
alliance with tribes along the Omo river so that they may still access
the food plains for their own survival.  These tribes have been know
to run into conflict due to the scarce natural resources of the area,
and the introduction of firearms has increased the danger of these
conflicts.

Throughout the years, the Omo Valley area has become a destination for
tourists from around the world who wish to experience this unique and
beautiful culture.  The Omo people have adapted to the travelers yet
still have been able to maintain their pastoral way of life.

It is hard to say what will happen to the people of the Omo Valley.
Omo Child has been doing its part by providing water pumps and
knowledge to the area, we hope to continue to provide the tribes with
the tools that they will need to survive as the modern world continues
to change life in the Omo.  One thing we do know is that
the Omo Valley region is home to one of the last indigenous cultures
in the world, and these raw and beautiful people reflect a time and
way of life that should be recognized and respected for as long as we
can hold on to it.

Photos By: Jessica Davis

The second day we learned about how water becomes contaminated and the calculation PH (potential hydrogen) & H20(water) measurements of water temperature. We also tested pure water & acidic water. In the afternoon we drove out of the campus for several miles and stopped at a small river like stream to take water samples. We measure both the Temp, ORP (oxygen reduction potential), that means you measure with mill volts and EC (electro conductivity). After returning to the lab and performing our ICP-AES analysis of the water samples, the Calibration Curve came out perfect and we are very happy in our work and our first paper in Lab.

I am amazed with the American education system and how very helpful it is. Everyone has been very nice, and I have already met many new friends. I look forward to to bringing the knowledge I have learned back to Ethiopia and using it to help my people.

Bringing a film crew and the support team into a remote location like the Omo Valley
to film a movie is a challenging and expensive effort. We had an incredible crew who
worked in a challenging environment and dedicated themselves to making a film that
told the story of Lale Labuko, Mingi and the tribes. more

A sever drought has threatened the lives of the people of the Omo Valley in southwest Ethiopia. The Omo Child foundation has stepped in to provide them with the necessary tools to bring water to their fields. This short film is an update on what the pumps have done for the people after only a month of having them.