St. Francis
Children's Care Organization
Addis Hope
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St. Francis Children's Care Organization Addis Hope |
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| Addis Hope – January 2007 Just a note to say that Addis Hope threw its annual Christmas party for the kids on Friday January 5th, which I attended with my guest, the Country Representative of Catholic Relief Services. This year Ruth got two Santa Claus outfits for the party which created some hilarity. Ruth knew about Santa Claus when she was a child, but not the story. We hired a bus to transport the kids the short distance from the Piazza and Bole Centers to the Shero Meda Center. Ruth brought the two Santa Clauses in her car. They probably didn’t know why they were dressed the way they were. When she stopped waiting for the gate to open, some people who saw the Santa Clauses and not knowing who or what they were started shouting. There is a police station nearby and someone ran to get a cop. When the cop arrived he burst into uncontrollable laughter and calmed the people down. Ruth, of course, thought the whole thing hilarious. In the beginning some of the kids also had mixed reactions but the Santas eventually got them into singing and dancing. Since Addis Hope provides the only parties they probably will ever have, it was well worth the effort to see how much they enjoyed everything.
Brother Gregory (Jack) Addis Hope – Easter 2006 As often as I try to touch base with the friends of Addis Hope I am again reminded that “the pen is a scepter but how scarce kings are among the writers.” Please know that while my communications with you are not as often as I like, you are always in my thoughts and prayers. As the sponsors and benefactors who assist our street children of Addis Hope, you are God’s response for their perseverance in the face of a greater society, that often pretends not to see their anguish, even though these children are in want, have reason to cry, are hungry, need justice and can only dream of peace. As in the Beatitudes, Jesus calls them “happy” or “blessed.” Clearly their happiness does not derive from their circumstances, but from the comfort they take in knowing God protects them and champions them through the Addis Hope Program. MELKAM FASSIKA!!! Happy Easter!!! For the past several weeks we have had the pleasure of the company of Josh and Libby McGrath. I met Josh, a former Christian Brother, for the first time in more than 30 years at the last Barrytown Reunion and he expressed an interest in learning more about the Addis Hope program. They will be with us until Ethiopian Easter Monday, April 24th. After having gotten over jet lag, 8,000 ft altitude and culture shock (somewhat), they are now busily engaged in working with our teachers on English language and methodology. Some of Josh’s observations and a few photos taken with the children are included below. Kindly keep our website in mind, www.addis-hope.com) From Josh McGrath who is visiting Ethiopia with Libby. Both are teaching in the Addis Hope Program: In Addis Ababa, there is no escape from the brutal reality of poverty. People sleep in the streets. Maimed beggars bless you for a ten-cent coin (less than an American penny). Old men and women carry huge burdens on their heads or shoulders -- average life span is 47 years. Day laborers work for 9 Birr a day ($1.00) Young men greet each other by throwing arms around each other and walk down the street hand in hand with no homophobic qualms. When they meet friends or family, they kiss or touch shoulders with heads. Yet, the people go about their day seemingly unaware of the ever-present dust, the arid land, the diesel-filled air. Despite the poverty, there are more smiles than frowns. In this city of 4 million, the streets are constantly deluged with people walking, walking, walking, crossing in front of cars, burros, cattle. Animals share the byways and highways – donkeys, sheep, goats, cattle, bustle about the crossroads and even appear suddenly on main highways. Cars and trucks stop; machine and beast look at each other and usually the beast wins. Cattle and burro are seemingly more valuable than a human life. Kill a donkey or goat, pay the price. Only at night are the streets relatively quiet when the night people emerge. Early morning, noon and evening the mosques that are sprinkled around the city in almost equal number to churches chant their call to prayer. Children are innumerable. They gaze intently at the two tall “ferengi” wondering what brings them here. At the three Addis Hope Centers spread throughout the city, 40 to 50 4-6 year olds sit attentively in shabby classrooms singing, “Good morning or Good Afternoon,” as the case may be, “Welcome, Welcome, Welcome,” learning the alphabet in Amharic and English, reciting in groups or proudly performing in front of the class to the applause of their classmates and “Govez, Govez,” (very good) comments of the six devoted young women who teach the 205 children in the program. Addis Hope is structured to prepare these children of street families for entrance into First Grade in Government (public) schools, where, because of too many children, and too few schools, they must pass an entrance exam to continue their education. Addis Hope has been spectacularly successful in that all their graduates of the last three years have been accepted into First Grade, many reigning at the top of their class. Of the three Centers the poorest of the poor, literally, are in Shero Meda, half of them being HIV positive. Unlike the other two Centers that have two half-day sessions each, Shero Meda has a full day since these children are stigmatized because of their condition, and have no one who will associate with them. With no place to go, it is better for them to spend more time at the Center where they receive loving attention. As the children leave, they sheepishly approach the two “ferengi” grabbing our hands and even kissing them. The whole experience can be overwhelming but vastly rewarding. Libby and I will be sad to leave. Josh and Libby McGrath --------------------------------------
Christmas, December 2005 Dear Family and Friends, As Christmas approaches, I am reminded of how generous all of you have been to our Addis Hope mission to street families. I am also mindful that without you, Addis Hope would still be a concept, not the vital program it is today. In three short years, we have grown to three Centers in the city of Addis Ababa that educate 205 street children, many of whom are affected by the AIDS pandemic in the country. Yet the demand for the program is limitless. Almost daily we have to turn away street women asking us to admit their children. What is especially impressive is that the success of the program has been mainly due to the vision and dogged determination of Ruth Girmay, founder of Addis Hope and also your financial support of this program for the poor and marginalized – one way for all of us to find Christ in others, the real meaning of Christmas. As you may know Addis Hope has no formal fund raising program; we rely strictly on the self-motivated generosity of our sponsors, benefactors and extended family of friends. And so, at a time of year when gift-giving is so central to the festive occasion, I ask again, as in the past, that you and your friends “invite a needy street child to your holiday table.” 100% of every dollar given goes directly to Addis Hope and is tax-deductible. Please consider renewing your support or becoming a first time supporter by either sponsoring a child for $150 per year or contributing to our Basic Needs Fund. You can do so either through the web site www.addis-hope.com or by mailing a check made payable to: Christian Brothers Conference – Addis Hope 4351 Garden City Drive, Suite 200 Landover, Maryland 20785 Thank you once again for your support, whether it is in the form of financial aid or your prayers. May you have a joyous Christmas and a grace-filled New Year. Brother Gregory (Jack) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL OUR SPONSORS AND BENEFACTORS FROM THE CHILDREN AND STAFF OF ADDIS HOPE November 18, 2005 It has been a while since we added to the news on the web site. That is partially because of being busy in the “playing fields of the Lord” and also because of the awareness that ”the pen is a scepter but how scarce the kings are among the writers.” November 24th Thanksgiving Day is an American holiday. For many in the States, it’s a day for family gathering, turkey and football (for diehard fans) - a happy day of feasting and gratitude. We in Addis Hope, too, are grateful that the 203 children in the program are no longer among the 800 million people worldwide who will go hungry on this day and the days thereafter since they have been receiving at least one hot meal a day provided by the program, thanks to our Sponsors and benefactors. This is no mean feat since it’s sometimes difficult to explain starving to uncaring others who think hungry is being late for dinner. The word hope in the program’s title was deliberately chosen and is closely related to gratitude. The Oxford dictionary defines gratitude as “readiness to show appreciation for kindness and to return it.” Gratitude doesn’t mean that we see the world through rose colored glasses, but rather that we choose to see the good things we have been blessed with. Gratitude is not the same as being happy. Gratitude is taking an honest look at our situation and choosing to say ‘even in this there is a reason to hope.” There are many days when even kindergarten age children of street families can’t see very much to be grateful for. But being aware of the small blessings they do have, they find that even on the really, really hard days they find something to hope for. Gandhi once said “we must be the change we want to see in the world.” Our supporters are change agents in the lives of the women and children in the Addis Hope program. This is done by figuratively inviting them to their table to share in the bounty that they celebrate on Thanksgiving Day. We thank the Lord that He has inspired our Addis Hope supporters to act on their priorities and values, allowing them to give generously, without counting the cost. That He has opened their hearts to those who are vulnerable and marginalized, or who can do nothing materially for them in return, but who can hold them in prayer – a far greater return on that investment. That He may lead them to continue to act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly with Him, the God of us all. God Bless!! Brother Gregory Flynn, FSC
The Blessings of the Ordinary On Saturday, July 9, 2005 St. Francis Children’s Care – Addis Hope program graduated 66 children. For those of us who are more than familiar with graduations, this particular one would appear to be rather ordinary except for several facts. First, most of these graduates are the first in their families to have had the opportunity for any kind of graduation. Of course, this was the first of what we hope will be at least three more graduations in their lifetimes. Second, the three feet tall graduates were adorned in caps and gowns that could rival an alma mater of mine, Manhattan College. Unlike Manhattan, or any other graduation for that matter, this was a rollicking, fun-filled affair. After a sedate distribution of graduation diplomas, the staff, led by their Executive Director Ruth Girmay, danced to different recorded Ethiopian music. Quickly, the graduates joined their teachers who, in turn, were enthusiastically joined by their relatives. And to whom do we owe this joyful occasion? Many, it turns out. Certainly, Ruth Girmay who for the past four years has been the mainstay of the program and who planned the graduation events; the SFCCO teaching staff, tireless in their dedication to educational excellence; our webmasters, and sponsors, all of whom represent faith in action in one form or another. For most of us faith is a very ordinary very routine part of our lives that is probably visible in our communities but not brandished aggressively. It is this cumulative routine of most of us attempting to live out our beliefs that enriches faith and makes it so vibrant. And within the ordinary, the extraordinary is to be found; people like the friends of Addis Hope who dedicate themselves to the good of others, well beyond the usual call of family and neighborly duties. So, an occasion such as this fourth Addis Hope graduation reminds us of the good of the ordinary and of the routine, of the benefits that have accrued to these truly deserving families. God’s choicest blessings on us all! Brother Gregory Flynn,
FSC CHRISTMAS GREETINGS FROM ETHIOPIA DECEMBER 2004 Christmas can evoke so many thoughts and so many emotions in us. To me, it is a time to reflect on what blessings I have been given. Not the least of these is the success of the Addis Hope program which two short years ago was little more than the dream and vision of a young woman by the name of Ruth Girmay. It is a time to be grateful to all our benefactors, who for us are witnesses to God’s presence in our lives through their compassion and actions on behalf of those worthy of a better life. Now, as I write this midway through December, I am reminded that this holy season of Advent is a season for exiles, like Mary and Joseph of old. In this part of the world, exiles, refugees and the displaced, are a common sight. The families in the Addis Hope program are also exiles from what most would call a normal life - they live on the margins of society - on mean streets - particularly our AIDS orphans. They are societal victims of failed policies that exclude them from whatever meager benefits society has to offer. We, who enjoy the benefits of a better life, are also exiles when part of us may have given in to greed, or apathy. Yet another part of us may feel out of place in a materialistic, power-centered world. Advent is a time to reclaim what we have lost in our hearts. It is not meant to be a cozy, self-satisfied time in which we wait for “Baby Jesus” to be born, not some quaint idea comforting to the “unsophisticated.” The birth of Jesus is a historical event. Advent focuses, instead, on our own place of exile and whether or not this Savior who was born and lived on our earth has made a difference in our lives and also in the lives of those with whom we interact. May the God of exiles reveal to us that part of ourselves in exile, the part that is wandering and needs to come home. May the God of exiles unite us to the dispossessed of the world through our compassion, and our actions. May the God of exiles help us to see more clearly the aspects of our own selves and culture that keep us captive. May the God of exiles grant that our actions may lighten and console, may lift up the hearts of others to laughter; to peace in the midst of storm, to light in darkness. Merry Christmas and may God’s choicest blessings be yours in the New Year to come. Brother Gregory Flynn, FSC Thanksgiving 2004 Update for Addis Hope As Thanksgiving approaches, we, the staff and children of St. Francis Children’s Care - Addis Hope program, wish our Sponsors and Benefactors all the joys and blessings of that day. We have been richly blessed during these past few years with the life and friendship of many who stand with us in good times and difficult times. We now have 190 children in the program, a number of whom are AIDS orphans. To accommodate our growing family, we have had to open a third center. This could only have been done because of the continuing support received from the “Friends of Addis Hope”. As Thanksgiving nears, we are struck by the relevance of the words of Pope John Paul II; “The poor of the world are your brothers and sisters. You must never be content to leave them just the crumbs from the feast. You must give of your substance and not just of abundance in order to help them. And you must treat them as guests at your family table.” We thank all our supporters for allowing us a place at their table. We are thankful for the blessing of being able to work together with them in our attempts to break the generational cycle of poverty that afflicts both the mothers and children of Addis Hope. We pray to the Lord to challenge us, especially when we become too set in our ways, that He may inspire us to review our priorities and values, so that our attitude may be to give generously, without counting the cost. That He may open our eyes and hearts to all people, and particularly to those who are vulnerable and marginalized, or who can do nothing for us in return. That He may lead us to act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly with Him, our God. Brother
Gregory Flynn, FSC September 2004 Update for Addis Hope I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have so generously supported Addis Hope through either sponsorships or donations. Because of this generosity, thirty-one children of street families (16 boys and 15 girls) were able to graduate from the program on July 31, 2004. Ruth Girmay, the Executive Director, had caps and gowns made for the children for the graduation ceremony at the St. Michael's Training Center auditorium where they received their diplomas. The scene rivaled any Harvard Commencement. It is hard to underestimate the importance of this event in the lives of these families. Many of the mothers had to rent a dress for the big occasion. A good number even bought bouquets of flowers to present to their children during the ceremonies. There were traditional songs and dances representing the different tribal groups in Ethiopia. These were performed by recent graduates of the Addis Hope program to the delight of all present. The graduates as well as their mothers danced the afternoon away. Afterwards, the mothers mentioned what a wonderful time they had and how very thankful they were that their children were truly provided educational hope. Ruth and her staff will now provide skills training classes to the mothers of these graduates, not only to generate income for their families, but also to provide funds for government school materials. The mothers have already opened bank accounts into which a percentage of their earnings are deposited monthly. The day after this graduation, twenty HIV/AIDS orphans joined the program in a new center. Twenty more orphans were added in early September. These children are truly victims of this tragic pandemic in the country. Our goal is to provide them with some semblance of schoolchild normalcy for the time they are in the program. Many of these orphans will require special care. To provide that care, we will continue to need the generous support of as many donors as we can reach. We also request your prayers for all the children and staff. At the beginning of their classes, the children pray for those who have provided them one of the few rays of hope in an otherwise unpromising situation. Brother Gregory Flynn fsc
We were delighted to learn that our grant application to Christian Brothers Foundation was approved. Addis Hope was one of 79 applications approved out of 303 applications submitted. The grant itself was relatively small, $3,000, but much appreciated. It also provided positive affirmation for our hard working staff for their efforts in educating the children. An adjacent large hall on the Piazza Center compound has been rented. The children are now using the hall for a classroom and their old classroom has become a multi-purpose training room for the mothers. The 121 children in both Centers are making great progress in their studies. In addition to being the first in their families to become literate, they are on par with first graders in the Cathedral School, which is among the best in the country – quite an achievement for kindergarteners and a credit to their teachers’ dedication to seeing that they get the best. It also means that they will be at an advantage when entering Grade 1 in Government schools which, hopefully, will offset the disadvantages of being children of street families. A select number of mothers have received a grant of 200 Ethiopian dollars ($23) to begin income generating activities of their choice. Most are selling fruits and vegetables or making injera (local pancake like bread) and wot (sauce). The additional space now allows trainers to also teach the mothers, who so desire, to make traditional clothing, table cloths, bags etc. They are also making bracelets and necklaces. A silk screen was purchased to train the mothers in tie-dying logos for shirts, banners etc. All this provides other options for generating a small amount of income for the mothers. From time to time, a nurse from the Ethiopian Catholic Secretariat will join the women at tea time, to enlighten them on issues pertaining to the health of their families – proper hygiene and nutrition. HIV/AIDS education is another issue of extreme importance in a country where 3 million people have the virus. Each of the mothers has been helped to open a bank account – the first time for all of them. They are grouped into teams of five to reinforce the concept of saving. They must deposit some amount into their account at least once a month. Already some mothers are pleasantly surprised at how much they have been able to save. The above mentioned income generating activities might net a mother between 5 ($.58) and 10 Ethiopian dollars ($1.16) per day. One meal of the National food (Injera and wot) for a family of 6 would cost 5 Ethiopian dollars, so most live from day to day, literally. In addition to food, of course, there are the other daily family expenses. Rent for a small room in Addis would average about 150 Ethiopian dollars per month ($17). As a result, two or three mothers and their families will share that one small room. In one recent case 24 people took turns sharing one room – they are now down to 18. Very soon Addis Hope will open the program to 10 HIV/AIDS positive orphans. They will be together in afternoon sessions. Obviously, they will need special attention. A retired nurse with a background in working with people living with AIDS will be hired to help meet the particular needs of these 4 and 5 year olds. Should the program be manageable, more children will be added, depending on financial resources. Generally, these children are ostracized should their condition become known. All involved in the Addis Hope program are extremely grateful for the support of our Sponsors and benefactors. The children pray for them before each class – powerful prayers, we are sure. If each sponsor could attract one more sponsor – which some have already done – the program finances would be fully covered, perhaps with room for additional HIV/AIDS orphans? This also is our prayer. Fraternally,
Greetings from Addis Ababa Christmas 2003 We in
Ethiopia belong to an Eastern rite tradition of monasticism, which sometimes
emphasizes different religious feasts from those in the West. However,
we recognize the festive celebration as attached to the birth of Christ
and share in that joy in a different way. Because it is not our tradition,
most of us can only visualize the grandeur and holiday spirit of the western
Christmas season. Some of us are able to contrast all that beauty and
grandeur with some of the harsher realities that co-exist in this sometimes
unfathomable world of ours - poverty, exploitation, human rights violations
etc. - and how to make sense of those contrasts. Brother
Gregory Flynn, fsc (Jack)
A THANKSGIVING THOUGHT November 2003 During this Thanksgiving season, the staff of Addis Hope would like to thank all those who willingly provided hope and love in the form of sponsoring a needy child in the program. It is also our hope that others will see the good that the program can accomplish and become a sponsor. Sometimes it is difficult for us to assess our place in this world. I found the following perspective by Philip Harter of Stanford’s School of Medicine, an interesting way to view our fellow human beings and us. According to Harder, if the world’s current population were compressed into a village of just 100 citizens, this is what our community would look like: · 57 villagers
would be Asian Of more importance: · 6 persons
would possess 59% of the village’s wealth, whereas In this compressed village: · If you woke
this morning with more health than illness, you are more fortunate than
the million who will survive this week. Every one of our fellow men and women, without exception, is God’s creature, bearing the Lord’s image. All have the same heavenly Father. Jesus died for the sole purpose of redeeming all of us. Thus, we all possess the same hope and destiny as citizens of God’s kingdom. But as the condensed global community clearly demonstrates, few know hope and love, and fewer still sense God’s grace and care. Those who hear and act on Jesus words are the ones Jesus calls light to the world and salt of the earth (Matt 5:13). The staff of Addis Hope wish you, our “salt of the earth,” all of God’s blessings. With every best wish,
I remain, Fraternally, ------------------------------------------
News from Brother Gregory 10/27/2003 The Addis Hope Program
Director, Ruth Girmay, is spending a lot of time getting the program re-registered
with the Ministry of Justice. This is a government requirement for legalizing
all non-governmental programs. There is a lot of red tape involved. Ruth
also teaches her art classes at the Cathedral School in addition to being
the President of the St.Vincent de Paul Society, which is expanding under
her tutelage. She is a remarkable young woman. With every best wish, I remain, Fraternally, |
