Visiting Ministries That Serve the Orphans - Day Eight

Email from Kyle:

We visited two different places today. The first place was supported by Dorcas Aid. It was an extremely impressive compound. They work with approximately 100 orphans. However, none of the orphans live in the compound. Rather, they live with extended families. They only have 2 that live in a foster care environment. All of these orphans attend school. They have a fabulous vocational training program. The girls have a sewing room and learn quilting. The boys have an incredible wood working shop. All of the furniture in the Administrative offices had been made in the shop. It was high quality stuff. In fact, Joseph (our driver, whose a dead ringer for Waymon Tisdale) ordered a couch, two chairs and some tables while we were there. He’s looking to get married in the next year.

The other place we visited was in the slum of slums. The ministry was called Bethany. It cared for about 25 orphans, all of whom live with extended family. Bethany runs on a shoestring and a prayer and is supported primarily by one lady from Germany. They provide these children with medical care, school tuition, modest uniforms for school, some after school tutoring and one meal a day. For most of these children, that lunch meal is the one meal they will get. We were there today as they got their lunch. It consisted of water, injera, a small amount of meatless wat and maybe two tablespoons of what looked like coleslaw. The guy who runs the program lives in a small room accessed by ladder right above the room that serves as dining hall and classroom. He’s a virtual mother Teresa. Unfortunately, we were not able to give them any shoes. I have very few left with me and my last bag that still has some smaller sizes is still at John’s. So, I am going back again next week to take crayons and shoes. The living conditions in this part of the city are almost indescribable. There is virtually no sanitation. Bethany provides showers for these kids 2 times per week. Otherwise, they would never bathe. At night, this area becomes a den of prostitution with girls younger than 14 selling sex. The going cost for sex is 5 ETB (Ethiopian Birr). That’s about 55 cents. It’s an incubator for HIV. Imagine selling your life (literally) for half a dollar.

Tomorrow morning we go to the Bizarre. It’s a gathering for all of the Addis NGO’s that make goods for sale. It’s an opportunity not only to buy things but to help support the numerous ministries.

Give everyone my love.
Love,
Kyle