Project Ethiopia

In January 2011, a team of American and Ethiopian runners set out to run 10 marathons in 10 days from Addis Ababa to Yirgacheffe, through the heart of Ethiopia's coffee-growing highlands to raise funds to build schools in the communities where OTG’s Fairtrade coffee roasting partners source their high quality specialty coffee. 

The Run Across Ethiopia wasn't just a fundraiser. It was a storytelling platform. Integrated musicians, filmmakers, and journalists documented the journey and the communities it served. Northern Michigan musical duo Seth & May, of Earthwork Music, joined as OTG's first Musical Ambassadors, collaborating with Ethiopian jazz musicians and performing in local schools. They later released the two-part album New Flower, with proceeds supporting OTG's ongoing work.

The run exceeded its original goal of $175,000, ultimately raising more than $200,000 — enough to build three schools, a library, latrines, and launch a model that would define On the Ground for years to come. Thanks to the publicity around the run and new donors who joined the cause, OTG was able to raise more funds years later to build a fourth school.