The story of Afaan Publications' pioneers

THE PIONEERS
"Many hands make light work" John Heywood

In 2013, Afaan Publications started a campaign to revitalize the Oromo culture around the world. The aim was to provide high quality, educational books in the Oromo language for every child, in every family, in every home.

After launching the original video, more than 15 cities around the world supported the fundraiser, with the aim to raise $50 000 in one month.

A high school student pledged the first support of $10; he was followed by more than 1000 individual pioneers helped to collect donations from the following countries:

Oromia, South Africa, Australia, China, Finland, Germany, Canada, Kenya, Malaysia, Egypt, New Zealand, Namibia, the Netherlands, Cyprus, Singapore, Switzerland, Turkey, UK and the USA.

A huge number of international donors also sponsored Afaan’s campaign with pledges of $1000 and $500. Altogether more than $123,123 was raised in less than six weeks.

Watch the video to see which city raised the most money!
THE ORIGINAL CONTRIBUTORS!

$1000+
Australia:
Mana Barnoota Oromoo Ifaa Islaamaa ($2500) – Melbourne, Victoria

Norway:
Bultum Self Help Organisation ($3500) – Oslo, Norway
Hawaasa Oromo Oslo ($3500) – Oslo, Norway

United States of America – USA:
Raadiya Qaabato ($1500) - Denver, Colorado
Jote Teferi Mergo ($1500) – San Francisco, California
Mati Galata Gebra ($1500) – Washington DC
Abdoo Lugoo – Denver, Colorado
$1000
Australia:
Abdul Wahab Tufa – Melbourne, Victoria
Muna Asfir – Melbourne, Victoria
Gemechu Wako– – Melbourne, Victoria
Hamda Kurfessa – Melbourne, Victoria
Gitu Erre – Melbourne, Victoria
Nuriya Mustefa – Melbourne, Victoria
Abdallah Kassim – Melbourne, Victoria
Bilal Dislioglu – Melbourne, Victoria
Tajudin Mume – Melbourne, Victoria

Canada:
Waldayaa Dubartoota Toronto – Toronto, Ontario
Magaala Hawaasa Toronto – Toronto, Ontario
Oromo Evangelical Church of Edmonton – Edmonton, Alberta
United Oromo Christian Fellowship of Manitoba
Living Gospel Church.

Kenya:
Ali Wariyo - Nairobi

Norway:
Madda Walaabuu International – Oslo, Norway
Oromo Community Tingvoll – Tingvoll, Norway
Oromo Evangelical Church – Trondheim, Norway
Oromo Community Haugesund, Norway

Sweden:
Dr. Galana Balcha – Lund, Sweden

United States of America – USA:
Abdoo Lugoo – Denver, Colorado
Huseen Tufaa – Denver, Colorado
Shabelle Market, Aurora, Colorado
Guddataa Sa’id – Denver, Colorado
Huseen Muhammad – Denver, Colorado
Afooshaa – Denver, Colorado
Mohammed Abdosh – Atlanta, Georgia
Temesgen Beriso – Tigard, Oregon
International Oromo Womens Association - Silver Springs, Maryland
Mimi Lata
$500
Australia:
Abdusalam Rashid – – Melbourne, Victoria
Gebi Ganamo – – Melbourne, Victoria
Kurfo Henbento – Melbourne, Victoria
Mieso Nagesso – Melbourne, Victoria
Johara Shek Mohamed – Melbourne, Victoria
Anisa Umer – Melbourne, Victoria
Amane Fayyoo – Melbourne, Victoria
Berhanu Erre – Melbourne, Victoria
Dhaqaba Gose – Melbourne, Victoria
Kiyuma Kewete – Melbourne, Victoria
Mubarak Tibesso – Melbourne, Victoria
Bashir Morke – Melbourne, Victoria
Galato Kabato – Melbourne, Victoria
Abduro Witago – Melbourne, Victoria
Rashid Desayo – Melbourne, Victoria
Kadir Hussen – Melbourne, Victoria
Kadir Butacha – Melbourne, Victoria
Ifrah Hassen – Melbourne, Victoria
Anisa Umer – Melbourne, Victoria
Hamza Wariyo – Melbourne, Victoria
Kamal Hussen – Melbourne, Victoria
Shazeli Osman – Melbourne, Victoria
Badriyya Kassim – Melbourne, Victoria
Maryama Ussi – Melbourne Australia

Canada:
United Oromo Christian Fellowship of Manitoba - Winnipeg, Manitoba
Living Gospel Church – Winnipeg, Manitoba

United States of America – USA:
Jaalata Abdoo – Denver, Colorado
Hajjii Juullaa – Denver, Colorado
Qamariyyaa Qaabatoo – Denver, Colorado
Jamaal Bakar – Denver, Colorado
Saafii Usmaan – Denver, Colorado
Ibrahim Gallama – Chicago, Illinois
Ahmed A Ababiya – Maryland, DC
Bayana Dibaba – Denver, Colorado
Hamza Abdurezak – Boston, Massachusetts
Add a subtitle here.
THE ART OF STORY TELLING
Afaan is a bold, new way of story telling: we interview to ask Oromo people's experiences of their langauge

Bareetu Aba-Bulgu
Eighteen year old Bareetu describes her experiences of learning Afaan Oromo.... in Australia.
Demeysa Ahmed
Demeysa shares how his heritage connects with his career choice.
Shangale Ali
Shangale reflects how current strides of success experienced by a younger generation of Oromo youth was rooted in many painful experiences.
Leensaa Diinqaa
Leensaa reflects her personal experience of a woman whose experience of Afaan Oromo at the right place and right time, was crucial for her recovery to health.
Abdata Homa
Abdata shares the secret to raising 12 children... and struggles to teach them his native language.
Dr Nasrudin Hussen
Currently a practicing Doctor, Dr Hussen realises the value of his heritage when he migrates to another country to study.
Soreti Kadir
As an eighteen year old, Soreti predicts the reaction of elders to the effort of revitalising the Oromo language.
Galata Qumbi
Galata reflects the power of sharing language through mediums of song and dance.
"Makiyya"
Makiyya explains how determination plays a role in success, as she encounters a refugee experience. She reveals her excitement about blending tradition with technology to maintain the bonds of language.
Ayichu Wako
Ayichu shares her experiences at church, and the frustration of people mispronouncing her name.
Damma Fallama and Gemechu Wako
A mother and father's strategies to keep their children's awareness of their heritage and mother tongue.
Afandi Siyo
As an Oromo artist, Afandi reflects on a proverb that drives his ambition to sing and empower.
Siinqee Wesho
A university student, Siinqee recalls her astonishment at how easy it is becoming for languages to become endangered, or even worse, extinct.
.

THE PIONEERS

"Many hands make light work" John Heywood

THE ORIGINAL CONTRIBUTORS!

$1000+

$1000

$500

Add a subtitle here.

THE ART OF STORY TELLING

Afaan is a bold, new way of story telling: we interview to ask Oromo people's experiences of their langauge

Bareetu Aba-Bulgu

Eighteen year old Bareetu describes her experiences of learning Afaan Oromo.... in Australia.

Demeysa Ahmed

Demeysa shares how his heritage connects with his career choice.

Shangale Ali

Shangale reflects how current strides of success experienced by a younger generation of Oromo youth was rooted in many painful experiences.

Leensaa Diinqaa

Leensaa reflects her personal experience of a woman whose experience of Afaan Oromo at the right place and right time, was crucial for her recovery to health.

Abdata Homa

Abdata shares the secret to raising 12 children... and struggles to teach them his native language.

Dr Nasrudin Hussen

Currently a practicing Doctor, Dr Hussen realises the value of his heritage when he migrates to another country to study.

Soreti Kadir

As an eighteen year old, Soreti predicts the reaction of elders to the effort of revitalising the Oromo language.

Galata Qumbi

Galata reflects the power of sharing language through mediums of song and dance.

"Makiyya"

Makiyya explains how determination plays a role in success, as she encounters a refugee experience. She reveals her excitement about blending tradition with technology to maintain the bonds of language.

Ayichu Wako

Ayichu shares her experiences at church, and the frustration of people mispronouncing her name.

Damma Fallama and Gemechu Wako

A mother and father's strategies to keep their children's awareness of their heritage and mother tongue.

Afandi Siyo

As an Oromo artist, Afandi reflects on a proverb that drives his ambition to sing and empower.

Siinqee Wesho

A university student, Siinqee recalls her astonishment at how easy it is becoming for languages to become endangered, or even worse, extinct.

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