Education for Triplets

Dear supporters

Two weeks ago, there was Christmas in Ethiopia. The Ethiopian Christians are an Orthodox and like for example the Russians, they therefore celebrate Christmas 2 weeks after us. We managed to make a nice Christmas present to the family of Helen, Azariya and Ananiye: After a test transfer of 50 Euro on the family's bank account (this was a precaution measure, as sometimes, money does not arrive if something is wrong with the account number or the name and getting the payment undone is very difficult) we made a first transfer of 800 Euro, which arrived right before Christmas.
Abiye could not visit them as he had an accident as was unable to walk. But the family visited him for Christmas and so he produced the remaining video messages for those supporters, who wished to receive such. The family is very thankful for the help and Abiye told me to pass their greetings to everybody of you. The three kids are doing fine at school. They now also can go to a extra class in the afternoon, which gives a special learning support to them.
We will make the last payment of around 600 Euro after a few weeks. I will most likely again be in Ethiopia in June and will then give you another update, about how the kids and the family are doing.

In the meanwhile thank you again for your support!

Stephan

Dear supporters

I am back from Ethiopia, where I also managed to visit Helen, Azariya and Ananiye. Abiye gave me a lift in his car from the center of Addis Ababa. We were driving on a Saturday, on the Ethiopian New Year's Eve and outside the rush hours, but still, there never is NO traffic in Addis Ababa (except at night...) and it took us therefore quite a while to arrive in the southwestern parts of the city. On the way, we picked up Geremew, the father of the family, who was still working on one of the many construction sites in Addis: Abiye was affraid, that he would not find the house alone, despite the fact that he has been there several times. And indeed, the trip to the "village" (actually, a whole neigbhourhood, that has been re-constructed a few years ago in the framework of the resettlement programmes at the border of the city...) turned out to be quite complicated.
Finally, we arrived. Abiye wanted to buy a cake, but could not find a shop on the way. At the end, he took some biscuits. But as I always have chocolate with me, when going to Ethiopia, we anyway did not arrive with empty hands (which is a good idea, as hospitality is an important thing there...).
When we entered the house, which basically is one bed room and a narrow living room, the kids seemed a bit confused at the beginning. No wonder, why should there come a "ferenj" (foreigner) with Abiy? But it didn't take very long to break the ice. After a while, they were climbing on me, taking my camera and starting to watch pictures of my trip. So we really had fun ;-)
At the end, we went out to take some pictures in the sun and produce one "thank you video" for one of you supporters. We also discussed with the father and the mother about the modalities, how to transfer the money for the school fee. I received the account number and we will make several installements.
After around 1 hour, we had to leave in order to avoid the massiv traffic jams, which would start between 4 and 5 in the afternoon. The kids accompanied us to the car and we wished them good luck for the start of the school next week. Geremew came with us and we left him go out at the same place, where we picked him up, as his working day was not yet finished and he therefore had to go back.
I will keep in touch with the family through Abiy. And I will give you some news whenever there are. For the moment, thanks a lot for all those who have supported the project so far!

Stephan