Secret War & Lost kids

The hidden war in Ethiopia

As my time in Ethiopia comes to a close, I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed this country.

Unique in countless ways: they have their own time (six hours ahead of what is internationally recognized), their own calendar (seven years behind), the birthplace of coffee, the only place in the world the tef train grows, the only country in Africa to never be colonized and have their own alphabet…

But there is a darkness here, one that overshadows all the wonders.

War.

Following the cessation of the civil war with the Tigray rebels in 2022, the former allies of the government turned into enemies - the Amhara.

The official language of Ethiopia is Amharic, along with the former line of emperors stretching back millennia being Amharic as well. When the Amharic people were denied promises of land and told to disarm, they rose to fight for their freedom. They formed their collective military group - Fano.

I encountered Fano fighters on the road from Bahir Dar to Gondar, they paid me no mind.

The war though pays much mind to people - kidnappings by opportunistic criminal gangs, thousands of people fleeing the country, tremendous disruption to major industries including tourism, and more.

It is a war hardly heard of, as the countries leader has an interest in suppressing its coverage.

As 2025 rolls in, I hope that as the wars in Europe and the Middle East end (I predict they will), that the world turns its attention once more to the Land of Origins.

Peace. Peace is needed.

College is Upside Down

In 2014 I entered college at Florida State University (Go Noles).

Throughout my childhood, friends and family would describe me as mature - an old soul since a young age.

How did I decide to take advantage of college with my maturity? I opted to major in Psychology - purely because it was an easy major that would allow me to get good grades, and with that a scholarship to law school.

Why did I want to go to law school? No particular reason. In fact, I knew I wouldn’t be a lawyer. I’d “figure things out” there.

While I don’t exactly regret the path I took, as it’s made me who I am today (a person I like)… I can’t help but think what a wasted opportunity.

In large part I attribute this wasted opportunity to the fundamentally awful education system we have preceding university - molding people into bots as opposed to drawing out their inner uniqueness.

Through life experiences that’ve rewired my brain away from the path of the miserable many, I look back on college and wonder… what if?

What if I’d been educated in a way that drew me to who I truly am? I can’t say for sure what I would’ve chosen, but if you let me go back now I’d have a hard time choosing a major!

French, Spanish, Arabic, English Literature, Philosophy, History… maybe I’d have all six.

My children will not be so unfortunate. They will choose for themselves… but they will actually know themselves.

Sincerely,

Jacob

P.S. In Moroccooooooo - happy to be here.