Ethiopia 2018: Meet the Team

Editor's Note: Due to safety concerns, we had to adjust our travel plans for the 2018 trip. The post below has been edited to reflect that new reality.

Only a few days until we load up a trailer with a big pile of suitcases and set off for the airport. We're going to Ethiopia! 

This year a group of three volunteers are headed to East Africa. We go to Ethiopia about every year or two to check in on those programs, ensure our funds are making a difference, and to share some of the incredible stories that we see and hear. 

We wanted to give you a chance to meet the folks who are making this journey and hear about their goals for the trip.

Introducing our 2018 team!

SHELLEY GREEN: Founder, Hearts for Ethiopia

Shelley started this organization after adopting her daughter from Ethiopia eight years ago and witnessing the daily realities for vulnerable women and children. She's been back a handful of times since that first trip, but every time it's an adventure. And there's always something new to learn.

"I hope to gain a better understanding of the Ethiopian people, their culture and how our organization can serve the women and children.  Each time I am there, I learn more about the projects we support and our project partners. Learning more about the people and the culture is a joy," Shelley said. 

She's also eager to get back to all of the people who are involved with our work.

"I am so excited to see the people I love in Ethiopia.  Spending time with the children and the women who benefit from our funds is an absolute highlight."

VAL EASTON: Volunteer and donor

This isn't Val's first trek to Ethiopia. She was part of the team that travelled there back in February 2017. Pretty much from the moment she set foot in Soddo, Val was hooked. She couldn't wait to go back. For Val, it's all about the people.

"I am thrilled to be able to spend time again with the inspiring people who lead our projects in Ethiopia. It will be uplifting to be with them and to learn more about the progress of our work," she said.

One of Val's favourite experiences last year was playing with the kids at Busajo. These are children who have left home or been separated from their families - often due to financial pressures, like not having enough to eat or needing to work to support their family - and lived on the streets. Busajo is an incredible program that helps to rehabilitate street children and, in most cases, reunite them with their families.

We are counting on Val to keep us cheerful during the long car rides and any stressful moments - her love of music and tendency to break out in song is perfect for smoothing over any rough patches! 

MEGAN STACEY: Volunteer and donor

Megan is one half of our communications team, and she's on deck to gather all the interviews, photos and videos in Ethiopia. It's the very best kind of "work!"

"It's such a privilege to talk with the Ethiopian people involved with our projects, and an honour to share their stories," Megan said. 

"We often find that the women with whom we speak are willing to be vulnerable and let us in, sharing all kinds of information about their lives and families. We're so grateful for their trust, and we don't take it for granted."

Megan travelled to Addis and Soddo, Ethiopia back in 2017. This is her second trip to Ethiopia. 

Surgical Success Stories - #154, #155, #156

Please meet Almaz Toma, a married woman from Bucama. She has six children and has been suffering from a large cystocoele and rectocoele for the past nine months. She is so grateful for your help in sponsoring her surgery. 

This is Lantore Guracha who has four children. She has been very anxious to have her prolapse repaired as she has been suffering for four years. Thank you for helping her!

Say hello to Ezera Enga who has one child. She has had third-degree prolapse for three years and is so happy to have had her surgery sponsored by Hearts for Ethiopia. 

Surgical Success Story - #153

Say hello to Astir Lire, a married woman from Hosanna. She had been pregnant nine times and seven of her children are living. She had had severe prolapse for three years and has now successfully undergone surgery!

Since Dr. Mark was taking pictures of Astir, her husband asked if he would take a picture of both them together. So cute! Thanks for making such a huge difference in this family’s life. 

The Joy of Giving: The Story of the Yellow Skirt

Our generous donors are inspired to support Hearts for Ethiopia projects for all kinds of reasons - a connection to the country, a desire to contribute to sustainable change, the hope of making life better for women and children in Ethiopia. 

And sometimes, the ties are more personal.

For one of our donors - we're calling her Grace to protect her privacy - hearing about our WRAPS project (washable, reusable, affordable pads) brought her right back to an awful day in her past.

She calls it "the story of the yellow skirt." 

Her family was at the Western Fair in London, Ont. and Grace was wearing her very own yellow dirndl skirt. She had sewn it herself, and she can still remember the simple pattern and round button.

"I was sitting there and all of a sudden, Niagara Falls hits," Grace recalled. Her period had arrived suddenly. When she told her mother, she scolded her for not being prepared.

Grace was just a girl, and she didn't carry a purse, so she didn't have any menstrual products with her.  She resorted to washing out her special yellow skirt in the toilet in a public washroom.

"With toilet paper and brown paper towels, I tried to pack myself so I could go back and sit down," she said. She was wet, she was uncomfortable, and she felt ashamed. 

"I had to lay over my mother's lap on the way home so I wouldn't get the seat wet. When I got home, I was so sore and scalded by brown paper towels. It was just awful. I'll never forget it."

When Grace read about the young women in Ethiopia who receive a WRAPS kit (those packages include eight washable, reusable pads, a few pairs of underwear, and a lined wet bag for carrying it all) she thought about that day at the fair.

In Ethiopia, many young women are forced to stay home from school when they have their periods. Products like disposable pads are incredibly expensive and can be hard to find, so some girls and women use dirty rags or even leaves instead. 

"I could relate to those girls not having sanitary napkins. That's when I thought, I can surely give enough for a couple of girls to get the kits," Grace said. "I think it's great to be able to help. I've always been for the underdog, I guess."

She makes a contribution - enough to purchase several WRAPS kits - as a monthly donor for Hearts for Ethiopia.

"Most people my age can afford $15 a month. Some can afford $30, or even $60!" Grace said.

We're so grateful to Grace for turning her bad day into a reason to help other girls avoid shame and embarrassment around their periods. If only she had known as a little girl that the Story of the Yellow Skirt would help dozens of young women in Ethiopia. 

What guests are saying about Gems & Java 2018

We are so grateful for all of the people who make our signature fundraiser such a success! There is truly nothing like Gems & Java. There's such a palpable spirit of inspiration and generosity in the room, and of course, it's just plain fun! Even some nasty weather this year couldn't keep our guests away. 

So many ladies are hooked after the first time they experience Gems & Java, so we have lots of veteran guests. But every year, there are also new faces to meet! That's how we like it. And there's nothing better than seeing the smiles and hugs as old friends run into each other!

Gems & Java is the perfect mother-daughter date, a time to reunite with your girlfriends, or a chance to have some fun with your coworkers outside the office.

And after talking with first-time guest Amy Westwood, we have another suggestion, too - what makes a better birthday present than a ticket to Gems & Java? That's what brought Amy to Gems & Java and we're so grateful to her friend for the fabulous idea.

Experiences are always better than getting more "stuff," right? 

"It’s been great fun. Just how many people are helped by it, that’s the best part," Amy said.

She even found the perfect bracelet to take home as her complimentary piece of jewellery.

And over in the Bags & Baubles, we ran into another rookie guest having a blast.

Julia Fox, who's nine, discovered a lovely necklace with an orange pendant. But she kept adding more great finds to her bag, too!

"The shopping is my favourite part. It’s like a treasure hunt!"

Of course, many people in Woodstock are veteran guests at Gems & Java. Usually our returning supporters bring new friends to experience the magic! 

"I just think the whole organization and this night is so professional, so phenomenal," Bonnie Hartley said. 

She's been coming to Gems & Java for years, since it was held at Innerkip Presbyterian Church. We've grown quite a bit since then! Bonnie said she loves coming to see what we've added or tweaked each year.

And it's a fabulous place to make a donation, Bonnie said.

"I love it because you know exactly where the money is going," she said. "Your $200 or $300 here goes ten times further in Ethiopia. The number of people’s lives you can impact is really huge."

We hope you'll come celebrate with us!

Surgical Success Story - #152

Please meet Belaynesh Bekalu from Bucama. She has been pregnant eight times and delivered seven children all of whom are living at this time. She is separated from her husband and has had prolapse for five years. She is grateful to have this problem taken care of. Thanks for helping her!

Surgical Success Story - #151

We would like to introduce to you Hogore Hankamo, an 80-year-old widow who has suffered from prolapse for five years. She is from Hosanna and has nine children. She is very, very grateful to have her surgery.

Surgical Success Stories - #148, #149, #150

Thank you for helping us to change the lives of these women!

This is Bekelech Gensa, a widow who has had severe prolapse for one year. She has delivered six children but sadly, none are still living. She is so relieved to have had her surgery sponsored by Hearts for Ethiopia.

This is Tadelech Tensa, a mom of seven children who has had severe prolapse for 7 years. She had a repair for this condition at another hospital five years ago but it was not successful. She is very grateful to Dr. Mark and the team at Soddo Christian Hospital and for being helped by our generous donors!

This is Adanech Gedebo, a widow with two children. She has had prolapse for seven years. She had been seen at the hospital a month earlier but had pneumonia and could not be operated on at that time. She is better now and is thrilled to have had her surgery!

Surgical Success Story - #147

Please meet Aberash Abera. She is married, has 7 children and has suffered from prolapse for more than 3 years. She had severe ulcers which prevented her from having surgery earlier but her ulcers have improved allowing Dr. Mark and his team to do her surgery! She has been very anxious to get this problem taken care of. Thank you for making this possible. 

Surgical Success Stories - #144, #145, #146

Please meet Almaz Oche who has had prolapse for two years. She is married and has five children. She was very anxious to get her prolapse repaired. Thank you for helping to make it happen.

This lovely lady is married and has delivered ten children. Her name is Burkinesh Wana. She has prolapse for two years. She was so excited to have her surgery!

Please meet Tarafe Tone, a widow and mom of five who has suffered from severe prolapse for four years. She also has hyperthyroidism, which has made it challenging to perform her surgery. Her medications were able to be covered by our Hearts for Ethiopia donors. She was very happy to have surgery. Thank you so very much.