Bound for Ethiopia - Korah Daycare, Packing and Goodbyes

Leaving day.  We knew it was coming and it brought mixed emotions.  We had barely scratched the surface of "seeing" Addis.  But we were missing our families in the US terribly and counting the hours until we were reunited with them.

 

Our last morning we headed back to Korah one last time to visit a daycare that provides free childcare to women of Korah so they can work.  We also took them a few suitcases of donations.  Each morning the children are changed into a clean outfit.

 

We were not allowed to take photos inside the daycare.  We rocked babies, fed snacks to toddlers, sang and danced with three year olds, and had a good time playing with all the kids.  It was a special time to see these little ones who are receiving quality care while their moms can work and provide for their families.

 

 

The outside of the daycare.  They filled up this entire building!  And you can see the laundry they wash every day to keep the kids in clean clothes.

 

 

Just another "slug bug" in Addis.  (This one is for the Chicago people.  They know who they are!)

 

One last meal at the Life Center.

 

Robel could always make us laugh!

 

After some uncertainty with flight departure times, we figured out when we needed to be at the airport.  So we packed up our things and spent the last couple of hours playing with kids who live near the Life Center.  A few of our team did some last minute shopping at the nearby market.

 

One last look out the kitchen window...

 

A few last photos on the drive to the airport...

 

Ethiopian sunset.

 

We all felt sad to say goodbye...

 

...but we made our last few minutes together joyful...

 

Owen, Hannah, Kylee and Emily...

 

...the very last photo I took...Beza's smile!

 

We hugged our new friends goodbye at the airport and made our way inside to begin the journey home.

 

“You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.”  

-John Bunyan

 

 "It is more blessed to give than to receive."

-Jesus Christ (Acts 20:35)

 

My life was blessed by the eight days I spent in Ethiopia.  I'm thankful for meeting Temeche and catching a glimpse into his life.  I'm thankful for the new friends I made.  I pray that I never forget the faces and will always speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves.

 

I encourage you...

Change the world for ONE!

Bound for Ethiopia - Employment, Shopping and Sponsorship

Today we patronized places that serve women through employment.  The first place we visited was Elillta fashionABLE.  We toured the place where the ladies dye and weave the scarves.  After the tour we were able to purchase scarves and other items they make to sell.

 

 

Keri had a lesson in weaving.  According to her, "They make it look easy!"

 

Lauren and Beza talked with some of the women.

 

Emily's new scarf to support their work...

 

Kylee's supporting their work with a new scarf too.

 

We had different drivers today so it took us a little while to find where we were going.  By the time we did some shopping in the Post Office district (it's where people go for inexpensive souvenirs), it was time for lunch.  We went to Lucy Restaurant for a nice lunch outside.

 

Beza recognized a man having lunch at a nearby table.  He noticed her noticing him so he walked over for a photo with Beza and Robel.  He is a famous tv star in Ethiopia.  Sadly, I don't know his name to tell you who he is.  But these two kids were thrilled to meet him!

 

Enjoy lunch outside...

 

One long table for lots of conversation...

 

Beef Stroganoff

 

Amber's plate...forgot what she ordered but it looked good.

 

Ethiopian food.  It looked pretty.

 

Emily's "sizzling steak" was really sizzling! :)

 

Beza and Robel had fun sharing food.

 

The green bags are our "take away".  Most the time we would give our leftovers to people on the street or children in Korah/on Entoto Mountain.

 

After lunch we headed to our next place to visit.  However, our drivers took us on the "scenic route" so we saw Entoto Mountain again.

 

Person asleep on the side of the road.

 

Woman carrying bundle of sticks down the mountain for a few birr (less than $1 USD).

 

Some views from Entoto Mountain....

 

Once the driver realized we did not need to be up on the mountain, he had to turn around.  That was an interesting adventure.  But soon we were headed back down...

 

Goats...

 

cows...

 

donkeys...all within a few minutes.

 

Back to city traffic.  And finding our original destination....

 

 

 

Entoto Beth Artisan (Entoto Jewelry). After seeing the ladies at work making jewelry and baskets, we did a little shopping there as well to support their work.

 

 

Outside one of the rooms where the ladies work.  We weren't allowed to take photos inside but it was fascinating to watch the ladies work.

 

 

 

We stopped in Korah on the way back to the Life Center.  This is the "home" of Kore Beth Coffee.  Lauren will be in Ethiopia for several more months.  She plans to help expand this business to employ more people of Korah.  The team was very happy to patronize this business!

 

A few of us went with Amy to visit the family she and her husband will sponsor. She was introduced to them while doing home visits with Pastor Tesfaye on her first day.

 

When the two young boys saw us and were told why we were there, they darted away to get their mom from a neighbor's house.  All three came hurrying back together in no time!  Tekabe acted as the translator since Tesfaye could not be there.

 

I cannot imagine what was going through this mom's mind as she heard the news that her family has a sponsor.

 

We went to their home.

 

We could not all fit inside the house.  So Amy went inside with them to give the boys the clothes and shoes she had brought them from our team donations.  (One of the boys with s who loved using my camera stood at the doorway and took these photos.)

 

There were lots of hugs while we were there.

 

Renee photo bombing us. :) 

(I'm happy that the kids learned to use my camera because that means I'm actually in some photos.  By the time we returned to the Life Center, my camera battery was dead.  You know you have to look at the photos after you take them.)

 

Amy and her family.

 

What a great way to end our day before heading back to the Life Center!

 

 

Dinner with friends at the Life Center...

One more night to sleep then time to pack up for home...