June 1, 2013
After many months of planning for the trip and fundraising for the donations, a group of nine of our volunteers left Toronto for Addis Ababa to serve the women and children in Ethiopia.
Of our 18 pieces of luggage, very little was filled with personal items. We have suitcases upon suitcases of items that have been donated or purchased with money that has been raised through our necklace sales, Gems & Java and donations. Awaiting for us in Ethiopia is also 700 pairs of leather shoes and many, many supplies for school kits, orphanage supplies and items for the Reward Store for the women who make the necklaces we sell.
All nine volunteers are excited to be going to Ethiopia to demonstrate in practical ways the care and compassion our volunteers and donors have shown over this past year and a half. I am so excited to be able to share with the women and children who will be receiving our donations, the effort our volunteers have made and the generous giving of our donors to help make a difference in their lives. I can only imagine the sense of hope this loving message will provide to the women and children.
A 13- hour plane ride and we will be in Ethiopia, learning, observing, donating and showing love.
Thank you to all our volunteers and donors for making this possible! Although we are a group of nine, I feel that you are with us too in spirit and commitment.
Shelley