In my search for a good charity in Ethiopia, I stumbled upon Partners in the Horn of Africa. It is a very worthy charity with 100% of donations going straight to their projects in Ethiopia - all operating expenses are paid personally by Partners' directors and the Columbia Foundation.
Part of what makes this charity so great are their diverse projects, that require their Ethiopian 'partners' to put up 15-20% of the project costs, usually in the form of labour. Some of my favourite projects include:
-digging wells
-homes for HIV orphans
-micro loans for women
There will be a Great Big Run for Africa this fall from West Bank to Enderby, BC, which my sis V and I are currently forming a team for and we plan to run to raise money for Partners in October.
The great thing is that I have been in contact with one of the Directors who lives in Ethiopia for half the year. There may be a chance that I can go and see Partners' projects while we are there. (I am crossing my fingers)
check out their website:
www.partnersinthehorn.org
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has. ~Margaret Mead
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Friday, January 9, 2009
People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered;
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you've got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, It is between you and God;
It never was between you and them anyway.
Author Unknown
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you've got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, It is between you and God;
It never was between you and them anyway.
Author Unknown
Some facts about Ethiopia
* Ethiopia, Africa’s oldest independent country, boasts a rich and diverse cultural heritage. With its 71 million people, Ethiopia is the second most populous country on the continent, after Nigeria. A landlocked country, Ethiopia is just slightly larger than Ontario.
* The 2004 UN Human Development Index ranks Ethiopia 170th out of 177 countries.
* Ethiopia’s infant mortality rate is 114 per 1,000 live births and the under-five mortality rate is 171 per 1,000 births (2002 data).
* Some 29 million people, or 42 percent of the population, are undernourished and 47 percent of the country’s children are underweight for their age.
* Between 1.5 and 2.5 million Ethiopians are living with HIV and AIDS, while of a total 4.6 million orphans (children under 17), 539,000 were orphaned due to AIDS.
* More than three-quarters of Ethiopians do not have access to safe drinking water, the highest percentage in the world.
* Agriculture contributes about 43 percent of the country’s gross domestic product, accounting for about 90 percent of export earnings. However, inefficient markets, outdated production techniques and lack of credit hamper advancements in agriculture.
* As a member of the implementation committee for the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD)—the African-led strategic framework for the continent’s sustainable growth and development—Ethiopia has also been one of the strongest advocates for good governance and country-led poverty reduction programs.
* Natural resources are the foundation of the Ethiopian economy. As a result of rapid population growth, climate change and other factors, the quality of renewable natural resources such as land, water and forests has now deteriorated. This in turn has affected agricultural productivity.
* Water, one of Ethiopia’s biggest natural assets, is key to the country’s development. However, only about 197,000 hectares are currently under irrigation—about five percent of the 3.7 million hectares that could be irrigated. Moreover, the irrigated land accounts for only three percent of the country’s total crop production. Ethiopia also has a vast but underexploited hydroelectric power potential, requiring large-scale investments.
* Chronic malnutrition in children is a huge challenge for Ethiopia. The country has among the world’s highest levels of stunting (low height-for-age), which affects more than half of all children. Inadequate diet has led to high levels of micronutrient deficiencies, especially vitamin A and iodine; this leads to blindness, brain damage or even death, for thousands of young children every year.
* Life expectancy is only 45 years for men, and 46 years for women.
* Ethiopia’s population is expected to reach 93.8 million by 2015.
* Women in Ethiopia face significant social, economic and political barriers.
* Although women are responsible for at least half of all subsistence agriculture, their role is not recognized.
* Fewer opportunities and unequal access to education mean that women typically earn half of what men earn in Ethiopia.
* The 2004 UN Human Development Index ranks Ethiopia 170th out of 177 countries.
* Ethiopia’s infant mortality rate is 114 per 1,000 live births and the under-five mortality rate is 171 per 1,000 births (2002 data).
* Some 29 million people, or 42 percent of the population, are undernourished and 47 percent of the country’s children are underweight for their age.
* Between 1.5 and 2.5 million Ethiopians are living with HIV and AIDS, while of a total 4.6 million orphans (children under 17), 539,000 were orphaned due to AIDS.
* More than three-quarters of Ethiopians do not have access to safe drinking water, the highest percentage in the world.
* Agriculture contributes about 43 percent of the country’s gross domestic product, accounting for about 90 percent of export earnings. However, inefficient markets, outdated production techniques and lack of credit hamper advancements in agriculture.
* As a member of the implementation committee for the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD)—the African-led strategic framework for the continent’s sustainable growth and development—Ethiopia has also been one of the strongest advocates for good governance and country-led poverty reduction programs.
* Natural resources are the foundation of the Ethiopian economy. As a result of rapid population growth, climate change and other factors, the quality of renewable natural resources such as land, water and forests has now deteriorated. This in turn has affected agricultural productivity.
* Water, one of Ethiopia’s biggest natural assets, is key to the country’s development. However, only about 197,000 hectares are currently under irrigation—about five percent of the 3.7 million hectares that could be irrigated. Moreover, the irrigated land accounts for only three percent of the country’s total crop production. Ethiopia also has a vast but underexploited hydroelectric power potential, requiring large-scale investments.
* Chronic malnutrition in children is a huge challenge for Ethiopia. The country has among the world’s highest levels of stunting (low height-for-age), which affects more than half of all children. Inadequate diet has led to high levels of micronutrient deficiencies, especially vitamin A and iodine; this leads to blindness, brain damage or even death, for thousands of young children every year.
* Life expectancy is only 45 years for men, and 46 years for women.
* Ethiopia’s population is expected to reach 93.8 million by 2015.
* Women in Ethiopia face significant social, economic and political barriers.
* Although women are responsible for at least half of all subsistence agriculture, their role is not recognized.
* Fewer opportunities and unequal access to education mean that women typically earn half of what men earn in Ethiopia.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
International Aid
Some food for thought about world aid. Canada made a pledge in 2002 to donate 0.7% of its national income as aid to the poorest countries. We are still only at 0.28%, a shameful 16th place of the 22 nations who made that pledge, and no plans to work towards our commitment.
Below is an excerpt from the website www.freerice.com:
"International Aid ― A Solution
Quick Summary: Almost all of the deaths from hunger and disease that you see on this site can be stopped. The cost to do this is about $195 billion a year, according to the United Nations. Twenty-two developed countries below have pledged to work towards each giving 0.7% (a little less than 1%) of their national income in international aid, which would raise the $195 billion. Some countries are slow to meet their pledge.
COUNTRY For each $100 earned in the country, how much is donated in aid Aid as % of income How close the country is to reaching the 0.7% goal
Norway 95 cents 0.95 Already reached goal
Sweden 93 cents 0.93 Already reached goal
Luxembourg 90 cents 0.90 Already reached goal
Denmark 81 cents 0.81 Already reached goal
Netherlands 81 cents 0.81 Already reached goal
Ireland 54 cents 0.54 Scheduled to reach in 2012
Austria 49 cents 0.49 Scheduled to reach in 2015
Belgium 43 cents 0.43 Scheduled to reach in 2010
Spain 41 cents 0.41 Scheduled to reach in 2012
Finland 40 cents 0.40 Scheduled to reach in 2010
France 39 cents 0.39 Scheduled to reach in 2012
Germany 37 cents 0.37 Scheduled to reach in 2014
Switzerland 37 cents 0.37 No schedule yet
United Kingdom 36 cents 0.36 Scheduled to reach in 2013
Australia 30 cents 0.30 No schedule yet
Canada 28 cents 0.28 No schedule yet
New Zealand 27 cents 0.27 No schedule yet
Italy 19 cents 0.19 Scheduled to reach in 2015
Portugal 19 cents 0.19 Scheduled to reach in 2015
Japan 17 cents 0.17 No schedule yet
Greece 16 cents 0.16 Scheduled to reach in 2015
United States 16 cents 0.16 No schedule yet"
go to www.freerice.com for the rest of the stats.
Below is an excerpt from the website www.freerice.com:
"International Aid ― A Solution
Quick Summary: Almost all of the deaths from hunger and disease that you see on this site can be stopped. The cost to do this is about $195 billion a year, according to the United Nations. Twenty-two developed countries below have pledged to work towards each giving 0.7% (a little less than 1%) of their national income in international aid, which would raise the $195 billion. Some countries are slow to meet their pledge.
COUNTRY For each $100 earned in the country, how much is donated in aid Aid as % of income How close the country is to reaching the 0.7% goal
Norway 95 cents 0.95 Already reached goal
Sweden 93 cents 0.93 Already reached goal
Luxembourg 90 cents 0.90 Already reached goal
Denmark 81 cents 0.81 Already reached goal
Netherlands 81 cents 0.81 Already reached goal
Ireland 54 cents 0.54 Scheduled to reach in 2012
Austria 49 cents 0.49 Scheduled to reach in 2015
Belgium 43 cents 0.43 Scheduled to reach in 2010
Spain 41 cents 0.41 Scheduled to reach in 2012
Finland 40 cents 0.40 Scheduled to reach in 2010
France 39 cents 0.39 Scheduled to reach in 2012
Germany 37 cents 0.37 Scheduled to reach in 2014
Switzerland 37 cents 0.37 No schedule yet
United Kingdom 36 cents 0.36 Scheduled to reach in 2013
Australia 30 cents 0.30 No schedule yet
Canada 28 cents 0.28 No schedule yet
New Zealand 27 cents 0.27 No schedule yet
Italy 19 cents 0.19 Scheduled to reach in 2015
Portugal 19 cents 0.19 Scheduled to reach in 2015
Japan 17 cents 0.17 No schedule yet
Greece 16 cents 0.16 Scheduled to reach in 2015
United States 16 cents 0.16 No schedule yet"
go to www.freerice.com for the rest of the stats.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Mom's Birthday
Today our shipment was delivered to Imagine in Ethiopia, so I guess today would be the official day waiting begins. Oops I was just so happy it arrived safely, I didn't think about the fact that it still had to get to the office! I will adjust my ticker :)
But what a special day for a milestone afterall. It's my mom's birthday!
Happy Birthday Mom!
...December 29, 2008 07:42 Addis Ababa - Ethiopia With delivery courier
December 29, 2008 10:01 Addis Ababa - Ethiopia Shipment delivered
But what a special day for a milestone afterall. It's my mom's birthday!
Happy Birthday Mom!
...December 29, 2008 07:42 Addis Ababa - Ethiopia With delivery courier
December 29, 2008 10:01 Addis Ababa - Ethiopia Shipment delivered
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Expecting from Ethiopia
Well, it finally happened...our Dossier arrived in Ethiopia today(much sooner than expected). We had hoped when we started this process on Aug.22nd that we would be officially waiting by the end of December but were told that goal was a bit too optimistic/unrealistic. But here we are, and I plan to hold onto my original goal of having our child home for next Christmas. Again, maybe a little too optimistic, but optimism is working for us so far.
We tracked our documents over this Christmas holiday, and it was more fun than tracking Santa. Below is the tracking record from the DHL website.
Air Waybill Number Origin Service Area Destination Service Area Status
Edmonton - Canada Addis Ababa - Ethiopia Arrived at DHL Facility as of: December 27, 2008 12:03
Detailed Report
Date Time Location Service Area Checkpoint Details
December 23, 2008 13:03 Edmonton - Canada Shipment picked up
December 23, 2008 17:45 Edmonton - Canada Departed from DHL facility in Edmonton - Canada
December 23, 2008 19:29 Calgary - Canada Departed from DHL facility in Calgary - Canada
December 24, 2008 02:37 DHL Wilmington Airpark, OH - USA Arrived at DHL facility in DHL Wilmington Airpark - USA
December 24, 2008 03:01 DHL Wilmington Airpark, OH - USA Transferred through DHL Wilmington Airpark - USA
December 24, 2008 07:25 DHL Wilmington Airpark, OH - USA Departed from DHL facility in DHL Wilmington Airpark - USA
December 24, 2008 08:37 New York City Gateway, NY - USA Arrived at DHL facility in New York City Gateway - USA
December 24, 2008 09:36 New York City Gateway, NY - USA Departed from DHL facility in New York City Gateway - USA
December 24, 2008 23:41 Leipzig - Germany Arrived at DHL facility in Leipzig - Germany
December 25, 2008 02:38 Leipzig - Germany Departed from DHL facility in Leipzig - Germany
December 26, 2008 02:02 Brussels - Belgium Departed from DHL facility in Brussels - Belgium
December 26, 2008 06:09 Frankfurt - Germany Arrived at DHL facility in Frankfurt - Germany
December 26, 2008 23:31 Frankfurt - Germany Departed from DHL facility in Frankfurt - Germany
December 27, 2008 11:59 Addis Ababa - Ethiopia Arrived at DHL facility in Addis Ababa - Ethiopia
December 27, 2008 12:03 Addis Ababa - Ethiopia Arrived at DHL Facility
There it is! I printed it for the baby book. Or rather, baby box. I keep all things for my kids that should go in a baby book in a baby box for when I get the time to sit down and actually create their albums. (I've actually started one of them...)
I hope this season had a great memory for you as well. Now we are looking forward to the time when we will have three excited, over-sugared, laughing, little people running around looking for cookie crumbs and signs of reindeer, in wonder at the magic that happened while they were sleeping.
We tracked our documents over this Christmas holiday, and it was more fun than tracking Santa. Below is the tracking record from the DHL website.
Air Waybill Number Origin Service Area Destination Service Area Status
Edmonton - Canada Addis Ababa - Ethiopia Arrived at DHL Facility as of: December 27, 2008 12:03
Detailed Report
Date Time Location Service Area Checkpoint Details
December 23, 2008 13:03 Edmonton - Canada Shipment picked up
December 23, 2008 17:45 Edmonton - Canada Departed from DHL facility in Edmonton - Canada
December 23, 2008 19:29 Calgary - Canada Departed from DHL facility in Calgary - Canada
December 24, 2008 02:37 DHL Wilmington Airpark, OH - USA Arrived at DHL facility in DHL Wilmington Airpark - USA
December 24, 2008 03:01 DHL Wilmington Airpark, OH - USA Transferred through DHL Wilmington Airpark - USA
December 24, 2008 07:25 DHL Wilmington Airpark, OH - USA Departed from DHL facility in DHL Wilmington Airpark - USA
December 24, 2008 08:37 New York City Gateway, NY - USA Arrived at DHL facility in New York City Gateway - USA
December 24, 2008 09:36 New York City Gateway, NY - USA Departed from DHL facility in New York City Gateway - USA
December 24, 2008 23:41 Leipzig - Germany Arrived at DHL facility in Leipzig - Germany
December 25, 2008 02:38 Leipzig - Germany Departed from DHL facility in Leipzig - Germany
December 26, 2008 02:02 Brussels - Belgium Departed from DHL facility in Brussels - Belgium
December 26, 2008 06:09 Frankfurt - Germany Arrived at DHL facility in Frankfurt - Germany
December 26, 2008 23:31 Frankfurt - Germany Departed from DHL facility in Frankfurt - Germany
December 27, 2008 11:59 Addis Ababa - Ethiopia Arrived at DHL facility in Addis Ababa - Ethiopia
December 27, 2008 12:03 Addis Ababa - Ethiopia Arrived at DHL Facility
There it is! I printed it for the baby book. Or rather, baby box. I keep all things for my kids that should go in a baby book in a baby box for when I get the time to sit down and actually create their albums. (I've actually started one of them...)
I hope this season had a great memory for you as well. Now we are looking forward to the time when we will have three excited, over-sugared, laughing, little people running around looking for cookie crumbs and signs of reindeer, in wonder at the magic that happened while they were sleeping.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Approved!
We received Government approval today! It is official, our Dossier is now final and on its way for translation and notarization, and then off to Ethiopia. So the end of this stage marks the beginning of another long journey of waiting. They are saying now the wait for a referral could be approximately 8 months, but it will be worth it. I can't wait to look back at all these important dates as I wonder where is my baby right now?
Are you born yet?
Are you with your first mother?
Or is she pregnant with you?
What were you doing today?
What will your Christmas be like this year?
So many questions and I may never know the answers. But I will keep anticipating your arrival and daydreaming about who you are. We are officially one step closer today on this journey to you.
See? We are creating milestones already, even though we are apart.
Are you born yet?
Are you with your first mother?
Or is she pregnant with you?
What were you doing today?
What will your Christmas be like this year?
So many questions and I may never know the answers. But I will keep anticipating your arrival and daydreaming about who you are. We are officially one step closer today on this journey to you.
See? We are creating milestones already, even though we are apart.
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