Ethiopia

Embracing Hope Ethiopia

danielle — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 20:48:14 -0400

I'd like to tell you all about my new favorite NGO in Ethiopia: Embracing Hope Ethiopia.
Embracing Hope Ethiopia is run by the Shannon family who adopted from ET in 2008 and returned in 2009 to help the poorest of the poor in Addis. And that is EXACTLY what they are doing! The first phase of their ministry has begun with a daycare program for children of poor women who have no one to watch their children while they work. They are looking for people to sponsor these vulnerable families so that they can provide daycare, nutrition, hygiene, healthcare and housing for them. They will also provide job training for the mothers and help them find work that can make a sustainable living. And most importantly these women will be able to embrace hope for their and their children's future!! A shared sponsorship is only $34 a month. Can YOU help bring hope to one family?

Ethiopia: So Beautiful

danielle — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 16:07:33 -0400

I found this wonderful video blog of Ethiopia. It's eight minutes long and so worth watching. I can not wait to go back. Yet it also makes me cry at all my daughter has lost.

In the Blogsphere

danielle — Sun, 03 May 2009 22:27:13 -0400

I have a few links to some other blogs I've been wanting to post for awhile. First there is my friend Jen over at The Road to Ethiopia and Back. She is doing a series of posts on first family contact in adoption. I think she has some good things to say especially since she is on two sides of the adoption triad.

Then there is my newest fav charity, Drawn From Water. This is a new organization devoted to helping the children of a tribe in southwestern Ethiopia. The Karo tribe is bond by superstitions which require parents to kill children who are considered cursed or imperfect for such things as the circumstances of their birth or the order their teeth erupt in. Drawn From Water is working to provide the parents an alternative and to save the lives of these children. They presently have 10 of these children in their care and are looking to expand their orphanage. They need support. Check them out.

And lastly, I wanted to link to an incredible story and a family who is taking on a huge task. This family adopted a 13 year old girl from China giving them 5 children at home. They thought they were done. However when they arrived in China they learned that their new daughter had TWO biological brothers!! They are now on a crazy ride trying to get these two boys adopted as well. Go read their story.

Charity: Water

danielle — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 19:58:09 -0400

I have a new favorite charity! Charity Water.

Their mission is to bringing clean and safe drinking water to people in developing nations. They give 100% of the money raised to direct project costs, funding sustainable clean water solutions in areas of greatest need. And they also work to raise awareness of the water crisis through events, fundraising exhibitions and other public awareness campaigns.

Clean water won't fix all the world's many problems, but it's hard to even start fixing the others if people don't have the basic need of water.

Ethiopia's numbers are staggering. Only one in every four people in Ethiopia have access to clean water. There are more people in Ethiopia without clean water than any other country in Africa. Women bear the brunt of water shortage. Many women in Ethiopia walk up to 3 hours, carrying 40-pound jerry cans filled with polluted water that is likely to make them sick. And many girls never get an opportunity to go to school because the responsibility of collecting water takes precedence. Right now Charity Water is working to provide 333 wells in Ethiopia.

Charity Water is running a campaign in the month of September to fund these 333 wells in Ethiopia. They are asking that people with September birthdays have all moneys donated to Charity Water instead of gifts. Can you help?

Their site has photos and video which show the great needs but also the wonderful Ethiopian culture. And they have already drilled the first well!!

Celebration!

danielle — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 15:41:21 -0400

Celebrations are always better with friends!
We are blessed to have a great and GROWING group of families who have or are adopting from Ethiopia in our region. Yesterday, Ethioguatemama and Ethioguatepapa, of Casa de Chaos, opened their home to all of us to celebrate the Ethiopian New Year, Enkutatash. We had lots of new members in attendance... I think I counted 13 families, 6 families have their child(ren) home from Ethiopia. People drove from 2-3 hours from two different directions to converge together. We were able to share photos, items, food, and stories. The few dozen kids played together and had a blast!!

Coffeybunny was there with SJ and B. Easties were there. The A Team was there. The M family was there with their new daughter Rusie. We were able to meet Robyn and the Inmans for the first time, along with a half dozen other new families who don't have blogs.

Really and truly, I can't tell you how much of a blessing this group is. We have been home with Miriam almost three years (making our family the first ET adoption of the group) and only in the last 9 months have we had these connections. It feels so good to finally have the physical, real life connections. Now if we just didn't have to drive 2 hours. :) If you're in East/ East central TN,adopting from Ethiopia, and you're looking for a group come join us.

Melkam Addis Amet!!

danielle — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 10:13:41 -0400

Happy New Year.... Ethiopian that is!! Today is Enkutatash, the Ethiopian new year. It is now 2001 in Ethiopia.
We will be celebrating with our local Ethiopian adoption group this Saturday afternoon. This promises to be our largest get together yet... I can't wait!

Looking to buy some Ethiopian items?

danielle — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 21:07:59 -0400

Looking to buy Ethiopian items and help out a good cause? Check out this little online store. They have clothing, jewlery, toys, decor, and other Ethiopian items. All proceeds go to benefit Ethiopian Orphan Relief. Check it out.

A good way to give back to Ethiopia

danielle — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 13:53:32 -0400

I have an online acquaintance who made me aware of a child sponsorship program in Ethiopia. This woman knows the family that started and operates this program very well and can verify that they are legit. Coolest part is 100% of sponsorship money goes to the child! That's amazing!! Here is the summary of what they do:

And we think we pay a lot for a gallon of milk...

danielle — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 14:56:18 -0400

Ethiopia Adoption Links

danielle — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 22:28:06 -0400

Adoption Links

CHSFS (our adoption agency)
CHSFS Forum (great forum for CHSFS families)
Ethiopia Adopt Yahoo group (for all interested in ET adoption)
Ethiopia Adoption FAQ (mainly a CHSFS family site but good info)
East Tennessee Ethiopia Adoption Yahoo Group (for families in Eastern TN)