Appreciating Our Volunteers: Peg McKinnon

Peg McKinnon has considered herself to have had a very fortunate life. She has always had a roof over her head, food on the table, and a network of family and friends to love and support her. When her daughter-in-law invited her to volunteer at a fundraising event called Gems & Java, Peg thought she could use the many skills she had relied on in her working career to help out. After having retired from a busy, and often stressful position, Peg found that she still had the drive to continue exercising the skills and abilities developed throughout a life path including 36 years in the workforce. After participating in the work and dedication that went into the massive undertaking of Gems & Java, then hearing Shelley Green give a speech about her personal connection to the people the organization served, Peg never looked back.

Peg is a wife, mom, grandmother and great-grandmother, and also takes pride in her role on the Volunteer Engagement Committee, working alongside two other amazing women, Amanda Bragg and Sandy Smith. Her work is inspired by knowing that what she does with her team makes a difference. Someone far away in the world experiences support and relief, even if just for a brief moment, because of Peg’s caring heart. Knowing she is helping people is why Peg volunteers. In this organization, Peg really believes that the efforts of just one person make a significant impact on another person’s life. Every minute of volunteerism matters in Mothers with a Heart for Ethiopia.

Peg loves being part of a network of like-minded, dedicated volunteers.  Her committee works collaboratively, developing communication to our volunteers, organizing their responses, all the while problem-solving the inevitable curves in the road. Seeing it all come together successfully at the Gems & Java event days makes it all worthwhile. Peg and her team keep the efforts and energies of the team focused and connected.

When asked what Peg would say to someone thinking of joining the team, she replied, “Just come out. Try it once. Iron a sheet, sort some jewelry, hang some pictures, bring a friend, be brave, come on your own! You will love it.”

Our team is so much stronger because Peg McKinnon and her team keep us on task, fully supported, and filled with praise for our efforts. Thank you Peg and team for ‘engaging’ us.

Surgical Success Stories - Biranesh, Ezera & Marte (#320 to #322)

Please meet Biranesh. Doesn't she have a lovely smile? She had severe prolapse for the past three years. She is married, was pregnant nine times and delivered six children. All of her children are living. She is so happy to no longer have her prolapse. This is such a valuable service that you are supporting!

Ezera is 35 years old and has had her prolapse for three years. She is married and has six children, all of whom are still alive. She had to have a blood transfusion prior to her surgery.   but her surgery went well.

Marte Mamo, who is 50 years old, has struggled with her prolapse for three years. Also like Ezera, she is married and was blessed with seven children, all of whom are still alive. Her surgery was performed and went extremely well. Thank you for your generosity that changes lives like Marte’s!

Appreciating Our Volunteers: Deb & Duane Griffith

To say that volunteerism is a family trait would perfectly describe Deb and Duane Griffith and their two adult children, Ashlee and Brent. The couple have dedicated much of their relationship in service to others in one capacity or another, and this desire to help is how Deb, and then Duane, got involved in Mothers with a Heart for Ethiopia. Deb and Ashlee attended one the organization’s primary fundraisers, Gems & Java, way back when it was still held in an Innerkip church. Both mom and daughter were inspired by what they saw that day, and it wasn’t long before their passion and commitment to the organization gave Duane the nudge to join in, too.

The couple were born and raised in Woodstock, and have lived in the city their entire lives. Duane has retired from a 38-year career working for General Motors, lastly as a Lead Facility Manager, and Deb retired from Advertising/Sales consulting for The Oxford Shopping News where she worked for 25 years. Both bring a valuable skill set to their volunteer roles at Mothers. Deb is one of the members of the Gems & and Java Committee and the lead volunteer coordinator for the Bags N Bobbles Boutique. Duane works with Shelley on sponsorship and donations. He also provides muscle and brain power during setup and teardown for the big yearly event. They are involved with Mothers in some capacity year-round.

Deb and Duane credit Ashlee’s passion for the organization as the inspiration for their commitment. Once they were exposed to Shelley and her team, and witnessed for themselves the benefits this work can bring to women and children living far more challenging lives than any of us could imagine, they saw some good use for their retirement years. The couple know that here in Canada we are blessed with so much social and financial means at our disposal, and they truly appreciate how directly the efforts of this organization impact lives positively in Ethiopia. It is so gratifying to know all the money raised by this 100% volunteer-based group goes directly to projects we sponsor in Ethiopia.

When asked what they would say to anyone thinking of volunteering for Mothers With a Heart for Ethiopia, Duane responded:

“If we were in bad state for whatever reason, there are many groups/organizations we could turn to for assistance in Canada. Those groups we support in Ethiopia don’t have and never will have that luxury. It is very gratifying knowing we assisted young men/women and children in the six major projects Mothers with a Heart for Ethiopia support. We truly make a difference in their lives.”

This work gives Deb and Duane something to work on together. They enjoy the friendships they have made and are lifted by knowing they are helping to really make a difference in lives of the less fortunate. They like to remind their friends that financial support is not the only way to support Mothers. There are so many roles that can be filled throughout the year and they promise, no matter which role you fill, you will be making a difference that matters

Surgical Success Stories - Berhanesh, Aruse & Abaynesh (#317 to #319)

Berhanesh is 55 years old and widowed. She had seven children and only two have survived. She’s been dealing with her prolapse for the past three years but is now free from her prolapse!

Aruse is a widow from a village who has experienced prolapse for three years. She delivered 12 children, nine of whom are still living. She is very happy to no longer have her prolapse.

Abaynesh had severe prolapse. She has delivered six children, five of her children are still living. She is separated from her husband and has had prolapse for four years . She is very grateful to no longer suffer from this condition. Thank you very much for making a difference in her life.

Appreciating Our Volunteers: Arlene Wells

When Arlene Wells’ daughter, Tracy, shared information about our organization, Mothers With A Heart for Ethiopia (MWAHFE), it was a natural draw for Arlene to step up and help out.  Arlene is the grandmother to three grandchildren adopted from Ethiopia by Tracy and her husband, and she has been to Ethiopia to see firsthand how great the need is in that country.  And step up she did. She has taken on the role of database coordinator for our team, keeping up-to-date records of volunteer contact information and other organizational details.

Arlene has been married for 45 years to a now retired Pastor whom she worked alongside in ministry. She has gone on several two-week humanitarian trips, bringing real time knowledge of how important work like MWAHFE is to these countries. When not spending time with her two amazing adult children and six grandkids, Arlene enjoys reading, running, and helping out wherever she is needed.

Arlene loves how MWAHFE partners with organizations in Ethiopia to help expand on the great work they are doing for children and woman in their homeland.  She finds it so inspiring and heartwarming to see the needs of so many met through our work.  She also admires the ‘sacrificial volunteer work that Shelley Green puts her life into as the director’ of MWAHFE.

The obvious love and care that Shelley and her team have for this work which serves real people with real needs is a testimony for Arlene that the people we serve are beloved individuals. She wants people considering volunteer work with us to know that “this is such a worthy organization. People’s lives, especially women and children, are being changed by the programs Mothers invests in. That’s worth any time and effort that you can give”.

Surgical Success Stories - Lagushe, Arabe & Abebech (#314 to #316)

This is Lagushe. She delivered eight children and six of them are living. She has suffered for three years and now free from prolapse!

Arabe was pregnant ten times and has delivered eight children, five of whom are still living. She has had prolapse for six years. Thank you so very much for making a big difference in her life!

Abebech is 40 years old and married. She’s had prolapse for two years and had eight children, seven of whom are still alive. Today she is prolapse free!

Surgical Success Stories - Almaz, Alemitu & Deginesh (#311 to #313)

Almaz has been pregnant four times and has two living children. Her prolapse was very serious and had the doctors concerned. But she did very well in surgery is so thankful to have this issue taken care of by our supporters and the great staff at Soddo Christian Hospital!

Alemitu is 40 years old and married. She gave birth to three children and two are still alive. She’s been suffering from her prolapse for one year and today is prolapse free. Her surgery went very well and she made a quick recovery.

Deginesh is 45 years old. She’s suffered from her prolapse for the last 10 years and was finally able to be cured today. She was pregnant seven times and gave birth to four children who are all still alive. She’s so happy to be free of her prolapse!

Surgical Success Stories - Belaynesh, Galdame & Byenech (#308 to #310)

Belaynesh is 40 and has six children who are all still living! She’s married and her prolapse returned about one year ago after her previous surgery and it quickly became very severe. She was able to go home as a new woman!

Galdame thinks she is around 50 years old. She had four children and three are still alive. Her prolapse came back just one year after her first surgery so she’s suffered again for the last four years. She was also able to go home a changed woman. She was so so grateful to have her surgery and she had a huge smile on her face before she left to return home to her children.

Byenech is 50 years old. She had eight children but only five have survived. She is married and her husband is a farmer. She’s had her prolapse for the past three years. She had a successful surgery and will be returning home soon to complete her recovery.

Surgical Success Story - Tadelech (#307)

Tadelech has delivered six children and five are still alive. She actually underwent surgery 10 years ago for prolapse at another hospital. Her problem recurred two years ago and she developed severe prolapse. She had her prolapse surgery at Soddo Christian Hospital and now no longer suffers from this condition. Thanks to all of you who have made this possible!

Surgical Success Stories - 6 Surgeries! (#301 to #306)

Eshale is 50 years old. She is married and had eight children, six of whom are still alive. She had suffered from her prolapse for one year and hers was an unusual type that primarily involved the small intestine, called an enterocoele. She is recovering very well now!

Taylake had a very successful surgery. She is 65 years old and had six children, all of whom are still alive. She had her prolapse for more than six years before having it addressed by the doctors.

After a blood transfusion the doctors were able to successfully perform Woyzare’s surgery. She is 40 years old and married. She had eight children and seven are still living. She’s suffered for two years with prolapse and it had even gotten to the point where she was having difficulty walking. She is grateful for the support of our donors!

Elfinesh states that she is 50 but the doctors think that she’s probably closer to 65. She is widowed and had seven children, six of whom are still alive. She is accompanied by her granddaughter. She had very severe prolapse that was bothering her for the past year. The good news is that she is prolapse free and that she was singing during her surgery. She is a very very precious lady!

Aster is 55 and she lives with one of her eight children who are still alive after giving birth to 11. She has her prolapse for the last four years and is now doing well back on the ward.

All states she is 55 years old. She lives with one of her children. She had nine children and six are still alive. She’s suffered from her prolapse for the past year and was so happy and grateful to have her surgery performed today.