Oklahomans make good neighbors
Oklahomans have long been known for their generosity. After the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995, the “Oklahoma standard” became nationally known due to the response of local citizens to the tragedy. We take pride in being good neighbors.
Citizens of Ethiopia knew about the Oklahoma standard long before the 1990s even though their neighborhood is far, far from Oklahoma. A new documentary highlights that fact, focusing on efforts by Oklahoma professors and students to share agriculture knowledge with the people of Ethiopia decades ago.
The project was conceived in 1949 and resulted in development of a rich coffee industry in Ethiopia at that time. Mel Tewahade, whose father was governor of Harer in Ethiopia in the 1960s, recalls how his dad “used to tell me how beautiful these people are.” Until that time, Tewahade “didn’t know what Oklahoma was.”
Oklahomans should take pride in that legacy.
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As the Producer/Director of this movie, I was deeply touched for the kindness that Oklahomans showed to Ethiopia from 1952 to 1968. Thank you Oklahoma A&M for building a fine agricultural College in Ethiopia. http://www.Haramay.edu‘
We Ethiopia are eternally grateful for all you hard work and the love you showed to the people of Ethiopia. May God bless American and the great people of Oklahoma.