Be a Hygiene Santa this Holiday Season

Hello, my name is Yoseph K Teferra, living in Canada and currently residing in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

I recently returned to Ethiopia after many years and was struck by the challenging and hazardous conditions many people continue to face, despite some progress over the years.

Few of the thousands of street food stalls in Addis Ababa where the majority of 6 million people with little to no option gather for meal.

On my second day in Addis Ababa, I revisited the area where I grew up and along the way experienced the traditional Jebena coffee and enjoyed a meal from a street food stall—a common and affordable option for many locals. Unfortunately, just a few hours later, I fell ill with food poisoning, highlighting the serious hygiene issues prevalent in these busy food markets. The overcrowded stalls, serving in hundreds each daily, lack even the most basic sanitary tools like napkins, gloves, tongs and hand wash facilities. To make things worse, customers sift through the foods laid on open trays with bare hands before picking up one from the pile. These puts both vendors and customers at risk of contamination and foodborne illnesses, which could escalate to a breakout and larger public health crisis such as epidemic and pandemic.

Lack of napkins, gloves, tongs and hand wash stations make those overly crowded markets a hot spot for contamination and breakouts.

Through this campaign, I aim to provide street food vendors with essential hygiene tools, such as food safe disposable gloves, napkins, tongs and awareness to the importance of hygiene.

Depending on the success of this campaign, I also plan to provide portable handwashing stations (pots or buckets with faucets) and protective covers/lids for food trays to further enhance food safety and prevent contamination from flies and unwashed hands.

By donating, you become part of a solution that not only benefits the local community but also sets precedence for wider adoption across the country. Together, we can make a lasting and positive impact against contamination, foodborne illnesses and larger public health crisis.

Thank you for taking the time to read my plea. Please be kind by donating and sharing this campaign with others.

Wishing you and your loved ones a safe and happy holiday season.

Yoseph Kibret Teferra

Victoria, BC, Canada

Currently in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia