Jimma, City of History

The history of Jimma, Ethiopia is full of rich stories and world-changing discoveries, like the coffee-plants that grew wild in the ancient kingdom's forests. It was known for its skilled horse riders and thriving markets, and its elaborate wooden palace, carved by hand with ancient tools. Today, Jimma's treasures include modern wonders like a university and airport, but its people maintain the skills of their ancestors, passed down like heirlooms. Skilled carvers still use ancient tools to carve whole chairs out of tree trunks. Skilled horse riders can still be heard galloping down modern roads. And skilled farmers still bring natural treasures like coffee beans and tea to thriving markets. Discover the fascinating history of one of Ethiopia's many ancient kingdoms in our look at the origin of coffee.

Open Hearts Big Dreams Ready Set Go (OHBD-RSG) Books were created to help increase the literacy rate in Ethiopia through giving readers books with stories in their heart languages, full of colorful illustrations with Ethiopian settings and details. Profits from book sales are used to create, print, and distribute more OHBD-RSG books to kids in Ethiopia, Africa's second most populous country. Ethiopia's population has a high percentage of children ages 0-14. Only a small percentage attend pre-school or kindergarten, and the adult literacy rate is around 50%.

Some of our books are based on wise Ethiopian sayings that often rhyme in Amharic. If an adult says the first half, many children can chant the second half. Sometimes the meaning of these sayings is clear. Sometimes it has to be puzzled out and argued over. But sayings and idioms and proverbs help people express truths and beliefs in unusual ways. Other books are based on STEAM topics, cooking, colors, counting and more.

Since late 2017, OHBD has published over 150 unique OHBD-RSG bilingual titles in a number of Ethiopian, African and global languages plus English and has plans to publish more titles and add more languages. New titles or languages are added monthly; follow our author page to get new release announcements. Open Hearts Big Dreams Fund (OHBD) is a 501(3)(c) not for profit organization that believes the chance to dream big dreams should not depend on where in the world you are born. Our mission is to inspire and enable youth in Ethiopia through Literacy, Innovation, Inclusion and Leadership Projects in collaboration with individuals and organizations in Ethiopia and globally.