Surgical Success Stories - Janame, Belaynech & Gojame! (#375-377)

Janame is 53 and had four children who have all survived. She’s been suffering from her prolapse the last two years and is now prolapse free!

Belaynesh is 50 and had very severe prolapse that she’d been dealing with for three years. She initially wanted to try methods other than surgery but once she saw that Janame chose surgery she decided that she would too. Love that smile!

Gojame is 45 years old and married with three living children after giving birth to seven. She’d suffered from her prolapse for only eight months but it had become quite severe. She had her surgery and she went home a changed woman!

Surgical Success Stories - Two More Lives Changed! (#373-374)

Money is a widow aand 60 years of age. She has had nine children but only three of them have survived. She’s been dealing with her prolapse over the past five years and is now free from it!

This patient is quite young at only 30 years of age. She has given birth to six children and they are all still alive. She’s lives alone with her children. Her husband has left her, in part because of her prolapse that she’s had for the past year. We’re grateful for your help in making this big difference in her life.

Surgical Success Stories - Bulacho and Butane! (#369-370)

Bulacho is 36 years of age and married. She told the doctors that she had significant prolapse for four months. She has been pregnant seven times and delivered six children. All six are still alive and she is now free of her prolapse!

Butane is a widow and was pregnant eight times, delivering six children and all of her six children are still living. She told the doctors that her prolapse had been present for three months. She is very grateful to no longer to have this problem. Thank you so very much in your assistance in helping these precious women.

Surgical Success Stories - Mitike, Chico and Matare! (#366-368)

Mítike has given birth to nine children. Unfortunately only three are still living. Her surgery had to be postponed due to high blood pressure but now she is doing very well and her surgery was a success.

Say hello to Chico who has delivered 10 children who all are alive! She underwent surgery is doing so very well.

Matare is a widow who had suffered from prolapse for five years. Thanks to you she no longer has prolapse! She has delivered six children and four are still living. She is so very grateful to no longer be suffering from this debilitating condition. Thank you so very much!

Surgical Success Stories - Balaynesh, Rebika and Azalech! (#363-#365)

Balaynesh is married and has been pregnant 14 times - she delivered ten children and had four miscarriages. Six of her children are living. She has suffered from prolapse for 6 years and thanks to your support, she is now prolapse free!

Meet Rebika, a widow, who has suffered from severe prolapse for three years. She delivered five children and four of them are still living. She had her surgery and is now doing very well.

This is Azalech Wayesho, a 30 year old who has had nine pregnancies and delivered eight children. Sadly, only five of them are now living. She had severe prolapse for three years. She underwent surgery and is now recovering at home. We’re celebrating with you, Azalech!

Surgical Success Stories - Adise, Malafe and Ayane! (#360-#362)

Adise is 40 years, is widowed and lives with one of her three children. She has given birth to seven children but four passed away during early childhood. She’s had her prolapse for the last three years but now she is free from that burden!

Malafe is married and had suffered from prolapse for more than one year. She has delivered five children, all of whom are alive. Her prolapse was quite severe and was thrilled to have her surgery performed.

Ayane, a widow, has delivered nine children and six of them are still living. She had suffered from severe pelvic organ prolapse for four years. She is so grateful not to have this problem anymore!

The Value of One, The Power of Many: Meet Holly

“ A greater connection to the community.”

#NationalVolunteerWeek

We are so lucky to have Holly Weitzel volunteering with us! Holly got involved as a key force at our flagship fundraiser, Gems & Java - running the kitchen. We asked why she started and what she's gained from her volunteer work:

"I was elated at the opportunity, being past president of the Kinette Club of London, I had lots of experience with food driven fundraising so I knew this would be the perfect fit! When I started I had just moved back from London and was in need of new friendships and activities to keep me busy," Holly said.

She said her work with our organization has brought her "a greater connection to the community."

#NVW2021 #VolunteerLed #VolunteerDriven

The Value of One, The Power of Many: Meet Paul

#NationalVolunteerWeek

Introducing volunteer Paul Leuverink! Paul coordinates the technology behind our payment system at Gems & Java and is also providing tech support for our Spring Forward Silent Auction.

"It’s important for me to give back, to focus on others, and to make an impact. It's also important for me to make meaningful connections with other volunteers and I feel good knowing that I can make a positive impact on people in another part of the world," he said.

"The money that is raised goes to support so many meaningful projects . . . I am proud to be able to contribute to this work!"

“The money that is raised goes to support so many meaningful projects . . . I am proud to be able to contribute to this work!”

The Value of One, The Power of Many: Meet Diane

“It also gave me the opportunity to meet new people and become involved in the community.”

#NationalVolunteerWeek

We're so happy to have Diane Broad volunteering with us! Here's what she had to say about getting involved:

"After attending two Gems & Java events, I was so moved by the passion and dedication of the founders of this local Woodstock organization that I wanted to contribute my time in some way to support their projects in Ethiopia. As a newcomer to Woodstock, it also gave me the opportunity to meet new people and become involved in the community."

Thank you Diane for sharing your time and talents with our organization!

#NVW2021 #VolunteersDriveChange

The Value of One, The Power of Many: Meet Amanda

#NationalVolunteerWeek

Amanda Bragg first learned about our organization after she was given a ticket to Gems & Java as a birthday gift. Now she's a member of the volunteer endgagement committee.

"The stories shared that day were both moving and inspiring and I knew I wanted to help!"

And the rest is history! We're so glad to have you on the team, Amanda! She said it's a great combination, working with a talent group of people while also making a difference.

"I have had the pleasure of getting to know and work with an incredible team of volunteers. There are so many dedicated people with a broad range of skills and talents. It has been a wonderful learning experience."

It's been such a joy to share a glimpse at some of our volunteers with you this week as part of #NationalVolunteerWeek. This year's theme - the value of one, the power of many - really sums up our work. Thank you to each and every one of you who contributes time, energy, talent and money to our cause.

“The stories shared that day were both moving and inspiring and I knew I wanted to help!”