Celebrating 100 Surgeries: Turngo's Story

Turngo was isolating herself from friends, family and community when she heard whispers of a place that could help her.

So she started walking.

It took her three hours to walk from her home to the Bucama Health Clinic. She didn’t want to tell her husband the real reason why she was going – a prolapsed uterus – so she said it was about a backache.

“I’m sick and I’m in pain,” she told her family.

Her fourth degree prolapse was so severe she spent 15 days at the clinic. Turngo’s uterus was hanging so far outside her body that she wore multiple pairs of underwear to try and keep it contained and allow her to walk normally.

When she spoke about her surgery to correct a prolapsed uterus, Turngo raised her arms and thanked God. Religion is a huge part of life in Ethiopia, and all of the women we spoke with told us of desperately praying for God to take away the pain and shame of the condition.

“The infection was very painful,” she told us. She tried washing herself, but the condition gave her a nasty odour. It filled Turngo with shame, so much so that she would turn away instead of greeting people.

It was heartbreaking to hear her describe this time in her life.

“I didn’t have anyone to help me,” she said. “With the smell, how can I go on? Even my body looked like not mine.”

The prolapsed caused her such pain that she resorted to crouching on all fours when she was cooking. It was the only position that she could bear. She was deeply depressed.

The surgery to correct her prolapsed uterus gave Turngo back her sense of self.

“I can wear what I want, I can go help where I want. I can talk to my neighbour.”

— Turngo, on the results of her surgery

“I can walk, I can even run. I can sit, I can stand. My body, I can control. It is my own,” she said.

And the operation helped her get rid of the odour that was causing such shame.

“Now I am happy to sit with people, to meet with people and greet them,” said the mother of seven.

She said her body smells like perfume.

“I can wear what I want, I can go help where I want. I can talk to my neighbour,” Turngo said.

“Everything is new. This life is new.”

Thank you, Turngo, for your perseverance, your courage, and your newly rediscovered zest for life.

Celebrating 100 Surgeries: Amarach's Story

“Now I am glad, I am joyful, I can do whatever I want.”

Amarach, 45, from a rural community near the Bucama Health Clinic outside Soddo, Ethiopia

Those are the words of Amarach, a 45-year-old mother of 11 children who suffered with a prolapsed uterus for a year. What she remembers most about the condition?

The shame, the pain, and the smell.

“I was smelling, it was not good. Even the wound was bleeding,” Amarach told us when we sat down to chat at the Bucama Health Clinic in Ethiopia.

No one understood what was wrong – but they could smell it. So Amarach hid herself away and share her suffering with anyone.

Her kids noticed something was afoot. But Amarach felt ashamed about what was happening with her body.

When her family asked what was wrong, she said, “oh, I don’t know.” Her husband threatened to leave her, and told her “there is no pain.”

Amarach was tired. She’d been leaving with near-constant pain. She felt so weak.

The nuns at Bucama tried to help Amarach, giving her medication. But three weeks later, the pain came back with a vengeance. She was referred to Soddo Christian Hospital. She needed surgery to correct her prolapsed uterus.

Without Hearts for Ethiopia, the procedure would have been impossible.

“I had nothing, not even one cent, one birr,” Amarach said about paying for an operation.

She was overwhelmed with gratitude, thanking us profusely. Amarach raised her arms to the heavens to thank God for answering her prayers when she spoke about the surgery.

It gave Amarach her life back.

“Now I am glad, I am joyful, I can do whatever I want.”

— Amarach

“I am so sorry for those who did not have a chance to have this surgery like me,” she said.

Everything has changed for her.

“Now I am happy. My body smells like perfume – better than perfume.”

Thank you, Amarach, for your courage, your heart, and for inviting us to share in a moment of beautiful vulnerability. We are so thankful.

Surgical Success Stories - #98, #99 and #100 (WOW!)

We are thrilled to be introducing you to the latest three women who have had their prolapse uterus surgeries sponsored by Hearts for Ethiopia. What a joy it is to know that 100 women have had their lives changed by the generous donors who have made their surgeries possible!

Ukume Aniulo has 10 children and has been suffering with a total prolapse for two years. Now she will be able to live her life again!

Alemitu Chemere has been pregnant nine times but only six of her children are living. She has had a total prolapse for nine months. She says that it is very difficult for her to walk because of this problem and is it very excited to have her life back.

Tirame Fremo has suffered from third degree UVP for more than 2 years. She has been pregnant 10 times and now has seven living children. She was able to make a small down payment towards her surgery but the vast majority was covered by Hearts for Ethiopia. Thank you for helping this woman regain her dignity. 

Tales from Ethiopia: Volume I

There is hope to be held and happiness to be found, even in the darkest of times.

Nowhere is that more evident than the rural villages of Soddo, Ethiopia, where we met strong and resilient mothers, joyful children, and communities that band together to perservere through trying times.

It's far from easy. Women are often faced with the burden of caring for multiple generations without the space, water or resources to do so. Children can't afford to go to school, or lack the clothing needed to get there. Though strides have been made, many women are still birthing their children at home and dealing with the painful and isolating consequences.

There are so many stories – both of horror and hope – that it will take us until the next trip to share them all! If you came to Gems & Java, you would have heard some of these touching updates.

For now, enjoy a small sampling of the tales from Addis Ababa and Soddo, Ethiopia. Meet the incredible people that Hearts for Ethiopia is able to support. And feel their immense gratitude for your contributions, no matter how big or small. This is the kind of thankfulness that leaps off the page.

One of the things that touched us all most deeply was the sense of love we felt, everywhere we went.

At one point, Shelley remarked, “it doesn’t take much for people to love you in Ethiopia.” Her son, Tilahun, who lives in Addis, said that a simple smile between passing strangers is enough to earn love.

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SERKALEM, who works at the WRAPS project, is so grateful for the employment opportunity and all the support she has found there:

“This is just the beginning. My aim is big, my future is big.”

Serkalem hard at work making washable, reusable, affordable pads (WRAPS) at the Wolaitta Village facility.

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YENEALEM, an athletic scholar in the Girls Gotta Run program, has not only gained energy and life skills knowledge, but a social network:

“Before I joined this group I didn’t have friends. Now I have many best friends.”

And Yenealem’s mom has a dream for her daughter.

“I wish for her to help others once she’s done.”

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Marcella showed the Hearts for Ethiopia team around a new space that's under renovation on the Busajo grounds. The team hopes to house and rehabilitate vulnerable women.

MARCELLA, one of the founders of the Busajo program, which offers a safe haven for children living on the street and works to reunite them with their families:

“When you take children from the street, they think this is what life is like. But it’s just a passage.”

Because the program is so strict about the children they will accept – a commitment to education and to building a new life off the streets must be demonstrated first – the Busajo model is incredibly successful, including a 90% and higher reunification rate.

“You have some hope you can change their lives,” Marcella said.

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NIGATE, the leader of the Spice Grinder project.

This was one of the very first Hearts for Ethiopia ventures that has since grown to become a model for female empowerment and employment in the area.

“What you promised to us, you actually delivered."

She’s determined that the group will continue to grow and flourish, including gardens around the spice grinder facility, maybe a bathroom, perhaps even a vehicle!

“We are not saying ‘please help us.’ We said that the first time, with the first stage. But now we are saying ‘you will see.’”

“What you promised to us, you actually delivered.”

— Nigate

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WHALEN, a teacher at Gallo Shanto school, which is home to a number of very poor students – and teachers:

“What you tell us (through your actions) is that people have time for Ethiopia. People, regardless of colour or differences, can become one. You have shown us through the work you do. It is powerful.”

The school and its staff are so deeply grateful for the help of Hearts for Ethiopia.  But Whalen also told us that the school will not become dependent. She is certain that one day we will be partners, because she believes that poverty will be defeated.

Volunteer Profile: The One and Only Gecho!

Getachew Wolde isn’t a big fan of rough terrain.

It’s hard on his vehicle – itself a rarity for most in Ethiopia – and that van is key to his livelihood.

But for Hearts for Ethiopia, there’s not much that Gecho won’t do.

Val Easton, Gecho Wolde, and Kyle Easton at the airport on our trip to Ethiopia in February 2017. Look at those smiles!

He will stop at nothing to get the team where it needs to go – whether that’s through a dust storm in a rural part of Soddo, or traversing across massive dips in an already precarious road.

Gecho is a humble guy, so he doesn’t take much praise for this dedication. And the truth is that he wouldn’t have it any other way.

“This work is doing some good things for people – women, kids. That is really what I want to do. You guys came from really far and so I thought ‘why can’t I do that?’ That was good for me,” Gecho said during an interview in the guesthouse at Soddo Christian Hospital during the team’s last trip to Ethiopia.

That’s the same resting ground where Gecho would fall asleep, often still in his clothes with the light on, at the end of a long day.

The work of Hearts for Ethiopia, and Gecho’s relationship with Shelley, is what encouraged him to support more girls in the developing country. Most recently, Hearts for Ethiopia was able to donate soccer uniforms, socks, and balls to a girls team that Gecho sponsors in northern Ethiopia. It’s the first time the teens have had jerseys or a proper set of soccer balls with which to play.

“I start to support the girls because of Shelley. Before, I support the boys team,” Gecho explained. “Shelley tries to find ways to support women, and I am with you. I just continued on.”

It was so much fun to see Gecho bust out his dance moves with the athletic scholars at our Girls Gotta Run party! 

And it’s not just the soccer team where Gecho shows his love and concern. He was a fan favourite with the athletic scholars at Girls Gotta Run! 

When founder Shelley Green first travelled to Ethiopia to bring home her daughter, she met Gecho at the guesthouse where she was staying. 

“Even when Gecho couldn’t speak English, I knew he was a very good man. He was so good with my daughter,” Shelley said.

Gecho drove Shelley, her mom and her daughter anywhere they needed to go.  Along with Biserat, their interpreter, Gecho made it possible for the trio to serve a group of boys and a group of girls living on the streets while they were in Ethiopia.  That work was what motivated Shelley to start Hearts for Ethiopia.  

It’s been a partnership ever since. Gecho taught himself English – by practicing with guests every chance he got – and now he even helps translate for the Hearts for Ethiopia team!

“I learned more every day. When I met somebody, I learned one word, maybe. Something new,” Gecho said of his grassroots language lessons. “Day by day I learned more and more, more and more. Now I am here.”

His commitment, dedication, and compassion make our work possible. He cares so deeply about the women and children in our projects. When visiting with partners, Gecho listens intently and observes every detail with a watchful eye. He truly wants to make Ethiopia a better place.

“This work is doing some good things for people - women, kids. That is really what I want to do.”

— Gecho Wolde, our friend, driver, translator and volunteer extraordinaire!

And he's always looking out for the Hearts for Ethiopia team – at one particularly memorable moment on a recent trip to Ethiopia, he was visibly upset about the “ferenji tax” added to a purchase of water bottles (oftentimes shopkeepers will charge foreigners more than the locals, because they understand that tourists and Westerners are able to pay a higher rate).

He was so frustrated by the price – just a few cents more than the “local price” – that Gecho insisted that some of our Ethiopian friends go back and recoup the tax. For Gecho, it wasn’t about the money, it was about the principle of the transaction – and about protecting the Hearts for Ethiopia team. 

Gecho, Meskelu, Tilahun, Kyle and one of the nuns who helps to run Bucama Health Clinic (right to left). The sisters hosted us at their compound for a lovely lunch and coffee ceremony when we visited the clinic to speak with some of the prolapsed surgery recipients.

Serving people in a foreign country is not always easy, and without our partner and volunteer Gecho, it would be next to impossible.  Examples of Gecho’s love and support could fill an entire newsletter. He is such an incredible volunteer, not to mention a great source of comic relief!

Laughs fill the van when Gecho is with the boys from our group home. He is like an uncle to these young men - a wonderful source of guidance and wisdom and fun. He is such a good role model, and they have so much fun joking around together.

Anyone who meets Gecho will quickly realize that he has a few standard catch phrases.

One of the most notable – and indicative of the relaxed Ethiopian culture – is a simple “let us see!”

You might think of this as the Gecho-equivalent of the phrase “it is what it is.”

But with Gecho’s quick wit and big heart, you can’t help but crack a smile.

Sponsor Profile: A.P. Hurley Construction Ltd.

We couldn't do Gems & Java without the help of our wonderful sponsors. If you were impressed by the fact that we raised more than $80,000 at our 2017 event, know that our sponsors played a key role.

A.P. Hurley Construction Ltd. has been a major sponsor of Gems & Java for several years now, and 2017 was no exception. 

Owner and president Tony Hurley said his company likes to support Heart’s for Ethiopia’s signature fundraiser because it raises money for such important work.

"I think it's a really good cause," Tony said. 

Though he's never been to Gems & Java, Tony has sponsored the event for four years. He got involved thanks to founder Shelley Green, who told him all about the work of Hearts for Ethiopia.

"It does a lot of good for people, it helps them and their kids," he said.

Thanks to Tony and our other sponsors, Hearts for Ethiopia is able to direct its funds to projects that impact women, children, and education in Ethiopia. Thank you so much for your contributions, A.P. Hurley!

Surgical Success Stories - #93... all the way to #97!

Dr. Mark and his obstetrics team at Soddo Christian Hospital have been busy! They have just sent us the photos and stories of six more women who have had their lives changed through surgeries sponsored by Hearts for Ethiopia. 

Majute Badacha is a 45-year-old woman who has had four pregnancies and four children. She has had prolapse for six years and has been a widow for four years. Thank you so much for making a big difference in her life.

Dinkenesh Folla has been pregnant five times and has been a widow for 10 years. She was suffering from third-degree UVP for eight years. Thank you for helping her.

Guneshe Olecha has been pregnant nine times. She delivered six children, had three miscarriages and has three living children. She has suffered with a very large cystocele for six years. She has been a widow for nine years. She is so grateful that she underwent surgery.

Marta Mota Gravida is an extremely poor woman. Her husband left her eight years ago to raise her children by herself. She had severe abnormal bleeding and cystocele. Thank you for making such a difference in her life. She received two units of blood before surgery and one unit at the end of her surgery. She is now doing very well!

Dupase Ducho has delivered 10 childrenand sadly, only two are living. She has been a widow for 16 years and has suffered with severe prolapse for six years. She is very grateful for her surgery.

Surgical Success Stories - #88... all the way to #92!

We are so pleased to introduce you to three women whose surgeries were sponsored by Hearts for Ethiopia. Thank you to all of our donors who have helped to change these lives.

This is Mune Desalegn. She is 80-years-old and has delivered 14 children. Seven of these children are still living. She has been a widow for 20 years and has suffered with prolapse for several years.

Mane Eligo has been a widow for eight years. She has delivered seven children and has four of them remaining. She has suffered greatly with severe prolapse for four years. 

Burkinesh Birahanu has suffered from 4th degree uterine vaginal prolapse for over six years. She is married and has been pregnant seven times. Burkinesh underwent surgery earlier this week.

Galene Esrael is a 60-year-old mother who has had 4th degree prolapse for six years. She is married and is very grateful that she is having surgery done. This is going to make such a tremendous change in her life.

Kongit Kolicha had 3rd degree uterine prolapse and underwent surgery earlier this week. Her family only had funds to pay for 20% of her care. The rest of it as being under written by Hearts for Ethiopia. She is very happy for this great contribution that will help change her life. She had suffered from prolapse for greater than six years. She is married and has six children. Thank you thank you so very much for your help!

International Women's Day Profile: Meseret Daniel

We have the pleasure of working with so many fabulous women. In honour of International Women’s Day, this month we will feature three incredible Ethiopian women with whom we work. Today we introduce Meseret Daniel.

Talk about a role model.

Meseret Daniel is a successful, ambitious, and determined woman we met during our time in Soddo, Ethiopia. Like most of us, she wears other hats, too: mother, teacher, social worker.

We were first introduced to Meseret at Wolaita Village when we went to visit the WRAPS (washable, reusable, affordable pads) project. Meseret is business manager of the Wolaita Village, and she plays an absolutely invaluable role. We saw her amazing relationship with the women who work at the WRAPS project, and we were in awe of her skills during outreach trips to distribute the pads and teach girls and women about the female reproductive system.

If only you could see her in action. She's funny, engaging, informative, and above all, respectful. It's amazing to see Meseret translate and help share information about WRAPS. It's all about connection, and Meseret seems to be able to connect with women from all different walks of life.

Meseret played an invaluable role in helping us interview women, many of whom had very difficult lives.  She translated for us with sensitivity, compassion and responded to the women with such feeling and love.  Without Meseret and our other wonderful translators, we would not have been able to bring home the stories we heard while in Ethiopia.

One of the biggest changes she's seen in her country over the past number of years is a focus on education, particularly for children, Meseret said.

"The girls are going to school. That is a really big change. Even in the rural area - any girl, she should go to school," she said. It seems to be a view that's becoming more common among parents and community members, even those who may not be formally educated.

Meseret also had stellar advice for young ladies in Ethiopia - or anywhere, really.

"Women, especially, they think themselves down. That is the problem. I say 'don't (put) yourself down," she said. "Negative thinking is inside a lot of ladies. Even sometimes when they are educated, they are scared," she said.

If only we all had Meseret in our lives to spread kindness and encouragement.

"Always, they are thinking 'I can't. I'm not able. I'm not good enough,' she said.

"Don't think you are nothing. You are strong!"

Gems Level Sponsors: Gems & Java 2017

We are so grateful to our sponsors who help to make Gems & Java a success!
It is our pleasure to introduce you to this year's Gems Level sponsors...

Roberts & Co. is such a huge supporter of Hearts for Ethiopia. In addition to their sponsorship of this year's Gems & Java, the store is also continuing to sell our hand-knit Bears for Busajo! You might also remember seeing them during the Closet Clean Out last fall.

"We chose to sponsor because we believe in the cause of empowering women here and around the world," said owner Vicki Parkhill.

And the hard work of the team behind Gems & Java is inspirational, too, she said.

"The dedication of the volunteers and supporters shows us that when we help others we help ourselves. We join people who share our views, we make new friends and we make a difference," Vicki said.

We are so grateful for the Roberts team. Here Cathy Bateman (left) and Karen Costello (right) show off a couple of those cute bears.

Thank you for your loyal support in so many of our fundraising efforts, Roberts and Co.!

http://www.robertsandco.ca/

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A big thank you to Blanche Blancher and the entire team at Nethercott Press. This Gems Level sponsor is a longtime supporter of Gems & Java, and we are so grateful for the continued support. Thank you so much Blanche and team - your sponsorship helps to make our work possible!

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A big thank you to Jeff Jarrell, owner of Lawn Lions Property Maintenance, for his continued sponsorship of Gems & Java. Lawn Lions is a Gems Level Sponsor for this year's event.

We appreciate your support, Jeff!

http://lawnlions.com/

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Ashlee Hall is the co-chair of the Gems & Java committee and has been an incredible asset to the event.  Her event planning experience, her enthusiasm, and commitment to our work have been incredibly beneficial.  Ashlee's workplace, Cowan Park, is a Gems Level sponsor of our event. 

It's not hard to see why we love having Cowan Park as a sponsor - and as the location for Gems & Java.

"We feel very strongly about giving back. As a community-based, not-for-profit organization, we understand and appreciate the tremendous amount of effort, volunteers and time it takes to raise funds to help improve the quality of lives for people," Ashlee said.

"We wanted to be part of something unique and life altering. The programming to support women, children and education in Ethiopia...makes a lasting impact on individual and family lives."

Holding our biggest fundraiser at Cowan Park is a perfect fit. There's room for more women and more beautiful bags, scarves, and jewellery.

"The highlight of the event for us is seeing a large group of women coming together, enjoying time together, shopping and knowing that each item they purchase or donation they make, will greatly impact the lives of other women and especially children in a struggling country. We so often take for granted the fortunate lives we live here in Canada," Ashlee said on behalf of the Cowan Park team.

"Each dollar raised and donated towards this event, cause and organization, is a step closer to the positive change we wish to see in the world."

We can't wait to see all of you at Cowan Park in just a few days for Gems & Java 2017!!

http://cowanpark.com/

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The Saturday Grind

Could there be a more perfect partnership? The Saturday Grind is a new sponsor for Gems & Java, but it’s a rather important piece of the puzzle.

There wouldn’t be much java without The Saturday Grind.

“There was a need for a coffee supply at this year’s event, and I was more than happy to help out,” said Blair Ness-Jack, owner of The Saturday Grind.

His business is stepping up to be a Gems level sponsor at Gems & Java 2017. Blair is also providing guests with a coupon for The Saturday Grind and donating several silent auction items.

“The coffee side of the event was a good fit,” Blair said.

In fact, it’s an important “first” for the Saturday morning coffee joint, which opened a little over a year ago at the Woodstock Farmers Market.

“This is my first sponsorship opportunity I’ve had since starting my business, so I’m quite excited to help out and to provide coffee and support to an event like this,” said Blair, who has a personal connection to Hearts for Ethiopia through his mom Wendy, an active volunteer.

Blair can’t make it to this year’s event, but he’s looking forward to fulfilling a crucial role as a sponsor.

“I’m excited to be a part of it.”

https://www.facebook.com/thesaturdaygrind/

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Morage Allan and Ryan Shelton

Wilson and Markle Jewellers

It's the first year Wilson and Markle Jewellers are sponsoring Gems & Java - and the jeweller is lending its support in more ways than one!

Morage Allan and Ryan Shelton at Wilson and Markle also helped to sort through the vast amounts of donated jewellery with an expert eye.

"You had some really interesting pieces. There was one particular pair of silver earrings, elephants, that were really fun.  There was a lot of nice silver things," said Morage.

"We do estate appraisals and things like that, so we’re quite used to sorting through."

Morage said the store was happy to learn about Hearts for Ethiopia and provide sponsorship for Gems & Java.

"I think it's a really great cause. I actually have an adopted little boy, as well," she said.

"We like to help where we can in the community."

http://www.wilsonandmarkle.ca/

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Lisa Miettinen

Lisa Miettinen

Lisa Miettinen is a long-time volunteer and supporter of Hearts for Ethiopia. She's deeply invested in the work of the organization, and the success of Gems & Java.

"I am amazed at the positive impacts on people's lives as a result of this organization's financial help to projects in Ethiopia, and the money raised at Gems & Java is absolutely critical," she said.

Lisa has travelled to Africa twice as a tourist. There she saw the impact that basic necessities and employment can have on a family.

"I saw the difference between having no hope of control over your situation versus having the basic means to support yourself.  The work of Hearts supports empowerment projects, a 'hand up,' not just a 'hand out,'" she said.

Lisa is hard at work during the two Gems & Java events, but working with the team of volunteers is always a joy, she said.

"Spending time with really wonderful women is the highlight for me.  That and the fun of the Silent Auction!  What will I manage to bring home this year, I wonder?"