If you follow me on social media I talk a lot about Ethiopia. So what exactly am I doing in Ethiopia? In a nutshell, I am helping support a Christian school.
The school is run by an Ethiopian based ministry called Friends of Orphans and Vulnerable Children (FOVC) that is reaching out and caring for orphaned & vulnerable children and widows in southern Ethiopia. I first visited FOVC in January 2011 and I've been a supporter ever since. In August 2011, I became the sponsorship coordinator for FOVC in partnership with a US based non-profit. Unfortunately, in May 2012 that US based non-profit decided to shut down. I spent the entire summer praying and God provided a great way for me to keep supporting FOVC. I partnered with Children's HopeChest and together we are working to help FOVC continue it's great work.
When it comes to charity work I have a pet peeve. It's the idea that we (smart and capable Americans) need to go to other parts of the world to save children. Now you might be saying,
"What? Isn't that what you are doing?"
Well, not exactly. True, I am raising awareness and funds to help save children but I am not the one physically working with the children on a daily basis. The truth is throughout Ethiopia (and the world) there are smart and capable people who are saving children and they aren't Americans. Are you following me here? The idea that WE have to save THEM is just not entirely true.
I think healthy charity work is a partnership.
Money (lots of money) is available here is the USA and there are wonderful people who desire to care for those in need around THEM in Ethiopia and beyond. What they lack is funding and that is where WE come in!
I just spent 6 days, in late March, visiting FOVC and it was great to work with their staff (pictured below). It was neat to see familiar faces, staff I had met 2 years ago, and meet the newer staff members. I just love what they are doing in caring for and teaching these children. I am praying for them and thankful for their daily ministry.
The school is run by an Ethiopian based ministry called Friends of Orphans and Vulnerable Children (FOVC) that is reaching out and caring for orphaned & vulnerable children and widows in southern Ethiopia. I first visited FOVC in January 2011 and I've been a supporter ever since. In August 2011, I became the sponsorship coordinator for FOVC in partnership with a US based non-profit. Unfortunately, in May 2012 that US based non-profit decided to shut down. I spent the entire summer praying and God provided a great way for me to keep supporting FOVC. I partnered with Children's HopeChest and together we are working to help FOVC continue it's great work.
When it comes to charity work I have a pet peeve. It's the idea that we (smart and capable Americans) need to go to other parts of the world to save children. Now you might be saying,
"What? Isn't that what you are doing?"
Well, not exactly. True, I am raising awareness and funds to help save children but I am not the one physically working with the children on a daily basis. The truth is throughout Ethiopia (and the world) there are smart and capable people who are saving children and they aren't Americans. Are you following me here? The idea that WE have to save THEM is just not entirely true.
I think healthy charity work is a partnership.
Money (lots of money) is available here is the USA and there are wonderful people who desire to care for those in need around THEM in Ethiopia and beyond. What they lack is funding and that is where WE come in!
I just spent 6 days, in late March, visiting FOVC and it was great to work with their staff (pictured below). It was neat to see familiar faces, staff I had met 2 years ago, and meet the newer staff members. I just love what they are doing in caring for and teaching these children. I am praying for them and thankful for their daily ministry.
The school director, Principal and several of the teachers.
The FOVC staff and some of widows who FOVC has helped. Those widows came while our team was there and cooked lunch for us everyday.
Here's some more pictures of the children, just for fun!
This is my precious girl. I love sponsoring her and it was amazing to see her again!
The young man on the left is being sponsored by my mom (my retired on a limited income mom, yes, anyone can sponsor, it just requires a willing and sacrificial heart - THANKS MOM!!)
48 children still need a sponsor. Follow THIS LINK to see the waiting children and sign up to sponsor today! On "Status" click the arrow and select "Unsponsored" to see the waiting children.
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