USC Graduate Sarah A. Springer Travels to Ethiopia to help with Medical Aid Crisis

July 6, 2008 - PRLog -- DIRE DAWA, ETHIOPIA— It’s customarily for brand new college graduates to blow off any responsibility—at least for a while and enjoy the fruits of their labors. Some travel abroad extensively. At the very least most have the wildest and best summers of their lives—until the reality of finding a job hits them squarely in the face. Sarah Astaire Springer, a May 2008 graduate of the Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism of the prestigious University of Southern California isn’t typical. Even before her graduation, this 22-year-old from Bakersfield, California was making plans to travel alright, but to help those in need on the other side of the world.    
  “I chose journalism because I care about helping people. I believe one of the best ways to cultivate change is through exposing the issues that exist,” said Springer. Springer who holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism and communications and law media policy, also knows her heritage. “Although I was born in the United States, my family came to America from Ethiopia during the military regime to seek an opportunity at a better way of life,” she said.
  “Now, I feel it’s my responsibility to share the blessings I’ve had in a tangible way by helping people. I will do this not only through journalism, but also caring for abandoned women and children at the Mother Teresa Mission for the sick and dying throughout my stay in Ethiopia.” Springer admits she’s no miracle worker. And that at times the work is overwhelming. “I’m just one person on my own doing what I can to inspire others to make a change.” Springer is happy that when she asked for help her adopted church, Ward AME in Los Angeles (located near the campus of USC) came to her aid. The congregation donated money to help her with the effort.
  Springer is also filming a documentary about Ethiopia-trained physicians who leave the country—and the few that remain. “Ethiopia is one of the poorest countries in Africa and there is a significant lack of physicians in comparison to those who need to be treated,” she said. Springer is making a documentary about the efforts of Dr. Abduselam Barre, who moved his entire family to Dire Dawa, Ethiopia to change this prevailing tide of indifference. As a side note, Springer also noted that there are more Ethiopian doctors in the city of Chicago than in all of Ethiopia, itself. The completed film will be entered in film festivals around the world so Springer can share the plight of Ethiopia.
  “Hopefully with this film those who have left Ethiopia behind will realize how necessary they are to help mold a better nation,” she said. Springer came to Ethiopia to do one thing—and that was to make a difference. “God willing through my efforts someone else will see that they can make a difference, too,” said Springer.
  “Documentaries touch the world like nothing else.” She’s hoping the Discovery Channel Africa will be interested in her film. “The Discovery Channel Africa delivers information about Africa better than any other network in the world,” Springer said. “I’d be proud to have my documentary aired with them.”
  For more information about Springer’s documentary please contact Lovelace Lee III of Robert Lucy Creative at (310) 743-2855 or via email at robertlucycreative@yahoo.com.

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