Contextual Overview of Ethiopia
Ethiopia is a country in northeastern Africa once known as Abyssinia. It was ruled by a long line of monarchs until September 1974 when the last emperor was overthrown in a military coup. There are 100 different ethnic groups, 70 different languages, and 3 major religious groups in Ethiopia. Out of a population of more than 58 million people, 30 million people are under the age of eighteen. About 80 % of the people depend on agriculture for a living. Years of civil war, drought, and famine caused Ethiopia to be considered the poorest country in the world. It is one of the top five countries that has the most number of deaths in under-five-year old children. Its birth rate and mortality rate are equally high. Ethiopia health problems arise from poor hygiene, sanitation, and scarcity of water. Education in Ethiopia is poor due to inadequate teachers, materials, and schools. These living conditions are not an ideal enviroment for Ethiopian children. The government tries to improve children's lives, but the children continue to face many social problems.