Gems & Java 2021: From emcee to party host

With a big, in-person fundraiser still not in the cards for 2021, we shifted our Gems & Java strategy. This year we’re focusing on Gems & Java Home Parties! We’re introducing you to some of the people who have already embraced this great opportunity to share our brand-new virtual program with their loved ones as part of Gems & Java Home Edition 2021.

Liz Wismer-Van Meer is looking forward to enjoying Gems & Java Home Edition with friends and family.

Most years she has been so busy helping with the event, she hasn’t had the chance to experience Gems & Java as the viewing audience can. Every year without fail, Liz is on the frontlines, whether she’s running the silent auction or emceeing the entire fundraiser!

This year, she’s pretty excited about snuggling in with her friends and family as they eat yummy snacks, sip some drinks, and listen to the stories from Gems & Java Home Edition.

She knows when our founder Shelley Green delivers her message, hearts will be moved.

Liz is hoping some of her guests will be inspired to support one of the amazing programs they learn about during the presentation, or become enticed to participate in the amazing online silent auction. She's all set to share the link to the auction with anyone looking for an amazing item up for grabs!

If you’re unsure about host a party, she says, “just go for it!” It doesn’t have to be fancy if that’s not your thing. After all, it’s just you and your peeps, so ‘you do you.’ However, if you are one of those hosts who might offer a variety of hors d'oeuvres, desserts and sangria, Liz just might come to your party herself!

“The best part of the Gems & Java Home Edition is you can enjoy the program however you would like, with whoever you would like, all the while supporting the projects and work of Hearts For Ethiopia. It truly is a win-win!”

Gems & Java 2021: Swapping popcorn for purses

With a big, in-person fundraiser still not in the cards for 2021, we shifted our Gems & Java strategy. This year we’re focusing on Gems & Java Home Parties! We can't wait to introduce you to some of the people who have already embraced this great opportunity to share our brand-new virtual program with their loved ones as part of Gems & Java Home Edition 2021.

Tracy Brooks knows that Hearts for Ethiopia does important work.

Tracy Brooks with her son. Both are big fans of Gems & Java!

That’s why she has been so inspired by the innovative and creative ways the organization has continued that work through the challenges of a pandemic. As a volunteer for our flagship fundraiser, Gems & Java, Tracy often stood amazed at what a group of motivated people could pull off with many hands and huge hearts. She was also impressed by the environmentally responsible idea of reusing gently used items to honour Mother Earth and deflect items from landfills.

Tracy is planning to stick mostly with family for her Gems & Java Home Party this year. She loves having people over, especially when those people appreciate her cozy chaos and keep-it-simple strategies. She is fully confident everyone in her family group will enjoy the professional-looking and informative virtual presentation that Hearts for Ethiopia will provide. After all, one of her claims to fame is having one of the few male attendees at the traditional, big in-person Gems & Java — her teenage son!

While purses and jewelry may not be all that effective in attracting men to the cause, she is pretty excited to use the Gems & Java Home Party format to expose more men to this great opportunity to help others. What they will find are meaningful, culturally-sensitive programs lifting up women and children in Ethiopia with on-the-ground support. Popcorn instead of purses — why not?!

Gems & Java 2021: A home party with heart

With a big, in-person fundraiser still not in the cards for 2021, we shifted our Gems & Java strategy. This year we’re focusing on Gems & Java Home Parties! We can't wait to introduce you to some of the people who have already embraced this great opportunity to share our brand-new virtual program with your loved ones as part of Gems & Java Home Edition 2021.

Longtime volunteer (and Gems & Java fan) Heather McKinnon jumped at the chance to bring the fun, food and fundraising into her own home.

She plans to give her Gems & Java Home Party event a personal twist. With the help of Pinterest, and a “HEART” theme, she's planning a party with a candy bar, yummy snacks, maybe a bit of wine, and a house full of friends ready to laugh, learn and give.

Heather has attended Gems & Java and volunteered for Hearts for Ethiopia for years. She has watched with a full heart as people at the in-person event are touched by the work done by our organization in support of women and children living in poverty. With the needs continuing to grow, Heather has a compassionate desire to help out.

She knows that Ethiopia has suffered through the pandemic, and Canadians have the ability to share our blessings and good fortune to help those living without the same advantages. It feels so good to do good, and who doesn’t need a little more good in their day during these challenging times? She is also pretty excited about the possibility of some of men in our lives feeling more comfortable to learn about the work Hearts for Ethiopia does through Gems & Java Home Parties. Who wouldn't want to join a small, intimate party, full of laughter and sharing, with a theme of giving? It sounds like a great time for just about anyone.

Thanks so much, Heather, for your enthusiasm and willingness to help Hearts for Ethiopia raise funds that are changing lives in so many ways!

Surgical Success Stories - Dakíte & Abebech! (#385-386)

Dakíte is a widow who has delivered six children and all are living! She had her prolapse for two years and is so very excited that she it has been repaired!

Abebech is also widowed and lives with one of her three surviving children. She has been pregnant seven times and said that she’d only been experiencing her prolapse for three months. However, it was quite severe and was more consistent with someone who has had years of prolapse. Her surgery went well and she is now prolapse free.

Surgical Success Stories - Alemitu & Abebech! (#383-384)

Alemitu is 35 and lives with her husband and her four children. She’s been dealing with her prolapse for one year and is now prolapse free and back at home!

Meet Abebech . She’s 45 and has given birth to give children, four of whom are still alive. She’s married and has been suffering from her prolapse for the past five years. She has some heart issues but they were thankfully not serious and the doctors were able to safely operate. So thankful!

Surgical Success Stories - Bekelech & Tsige! (#381-382)

Meet Bekelech. What in infectious smile she has! She has that smile despite having severe prolapse for the pat four years. She’s married and has four children after giving birth to fox. Her surgery went really well and she’s currently recovery nicely. Thank you to all our donors!

Tsige is 50 years old and is quite a character, according to the doctors. She is very spunky and was making everyone laugh and smile when they first met her. Her husband has left her and she lives with one of her eight children that are living after giving birth to nine. She started to experience her prolapse about 3 years ago. She is now free of her prolapse thanks to you!

Surgical Success Stories - Amarech, Arose & Tunchure! (#378-380)

Amarech, who is 40 years of age, was the “patient patient” who waited over the weekend but never complained. She’s married and gave birth to five children who have all survived. After suffering for six years she is now prolapse free!

Arose is 65. She has given birth to seven children, six of whom have survived. She’s widowed and taken care of by a grandchild. She’s been dealing with her prolapse for the past year but as of today is prolapse free.

Tunchure, who is 60, has given birth to four children and all of them survive to this day. She’s married and she shared that after three years of dealing with her prolapse that it had started to take a toll on her relationships. We are confident that being free of her prolapse will help her so much!

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.