11-3: Trip to Ethiopia - Update from Pam Harrington, Director of Bethany International
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Dear Friends,
I’ve been back from Ethiopia about a week now and have had a bit of time to process what I saw there. First of all, I have to tell you that it was an intense three weeks. I have travelled quite a bit including living abroad and it ranks as one of the most wonderful yet one of the most desperate countries I have been in. Some things stand out:
POVERTY- Yes, you can rent an $8,000 (USD) suite at the world-renown Sheraton Hotel in Addis Ababa. But if you walk across the street and explore a small alley, you will see how most Ethiopians live in tin-topped mud and straw rooms without on-site water or toilet facilities. Sometimes there are ten or more people to a room. Famine has driven food prices beyond the reach of most Ethiopians and caused a lack of a properly balanced nutritious diet. Fuel prices have greatly increased.
HEALTH - It is said that every family is, if not INFECTED by HIV/AIDS, at least AFFECTED by HIV/AIDS. This is apparent all over Addis Ababa and families incorporate more and more children into their homes. It is not only AIDS but malaria, tuberculosis, pneumonia, meningitis, hepatitis, and a myriad of other diseases that could be treated or cured in a country like the US. There is a high infant and maternal mortality rate, and average life expectancy at birth is less than 55 years old.
Another problem is the stigma over having HIV/AIDS or even being tested for it. Even though there are many testing and counseling organizations, drug therapy (ARTs), and nutritional supplements available for those who test positive, there is so much stigma attached to even being tested that this is a huge barrier. This is especially true for women who stand to loose their marriages, livelihoods, and necessary community connections.
HOPE- I believe that there is no “God-forsaken” country and certainly there is great evidence of God’s love in Ethiopia. Hope can be found in the many churches that are organizing to support and care for orphans, widows, grandparents. It can be found in simple families reaching out to friends, neighbors and relatives who are dying. It can be found in the sharing of a last bit of bread, in the eyes of children who play games with stones and holes dug in the dirt. I met teachers who cope with a class of seventy children and share their lunches with children who are on the verge of passing out. Their love for God is shown in their love for their students.
OUR CHILDREN- Many of the children coming to us, particularly babies, are very small and fragile. It is very common to see a baby who is four or five months old yet only weighs eight or ten pounds. Sometimes we do not know the children’s histories as they are found abandoned and sick. There is a severe lack of sanitary conditions, clean water, and nutritious food. Often a loving relative has tried to care for the child for a period of time, exhausted all resources and needs to place the child as a last resort. Some of the children come from outside the high altitude of Addis Ababa where there is malaria. I was at an orphanage where a young mother had just left her stunned two year old daughter with the orphanage director. She was on her way to the hospital where she knew she would die from AIDS complications.
I heard a lot about babies who were sick and dying, including two of our precious little ones. Even in a country where death is a common occurrence, our staff and friends did not take this lightly. It was extremely difficult for me and our team, and especially our Ethiopia Director, Milkiyas and still we think of the two who died and pray for the families who never got the chance to hold them.
We are blessed to have been introduced by an adoptive parent, Lia Strand, to Dr. Jeanie Everson. Jeanie is the medical doctor in Ethiopia for SIM missionaries. She has given me permission to quote her in a recent email: “I am so sorry for the very difficult time for the babies and for those who love them. It is so hard when they are so weak and sick. We in SIM have a few missionaries who care for such babies, and they do not always make it though alive. This is with expert nurse care plus one-on-one care from experienced moms and caretakers.”
Even though we used one of the best hospitals in Ethiopia, the standards are not near those of the US. We brought our own soap to wash our hands along with a supply of sterilized bottles and bottled water. Currently we are doing everything we can possibly do to ensure the safety of our children and to make our transition house a state-of-the-art home where children can be nurtured and thrive. Generous donors have purchased and installed two new water tanks, a stove for cooking and sterilizing equipment, hot water heaters, and many new supplies such as sheets, blankets, bottles, and clothing and an abundance of other necessities. We have been able to locate excellent resources including medical professionals such as Jeanie.
Some of you have asked about children who are HIV+. Yes, we are finding families and placing these wonderful kids (By the way-did you know that HIV is no longer a death sentence? With medication and nutrition, children with HIV+ can live a long and healthy life.)This fits perfectly into our mission. One of the homes in Addis Ababa with whom we work has 13 children who are either HIV+ or have Hepatitis B. They are all under 9 years old. If you would like more information, check with Janie VanDyke our Orphan Advocate at jvandyke@bethany.org.
Please join with me in praying for our children and our team of dedicated staff. They are amazing people who are committed to advocating for all of the children in Ethiopia who are in need of families.
Pamela Awtrey Harrington, LMSW
Director, Bethany International Children’s Services
For more complete facts about Ethiopia, check out http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/ethiopia_statistics.html
Bookmark :
Dear Friends,
I’ve been back from Ethiopia about a week now and have had a bit of time to process what I saw there. First of all, I have to tell you that it was an intense three weeks. I have travelled quite a bit including living abroad and it ranks as one of the most wonderful yet one of the most desperate countries I have been in. Some things stand out:
POVERTY- Yes, you can rent an $8,000 (USD) suite at the world-renown Sheraton Hotel in Addis Ababa. But if you walk across the street and explore a small alley, you will see how most Ethiopians live in tin-topped mud and straw rooms without on-site water or toilet facilities. Sometimes there are ten or more people to a room. Famine has driven food prices beyond the reach of most Ethiopians and caused a lack of a properly balanced nutritious diet. Fuel prices have greatly increased.
HEALTH - It is said that every family is, if not INFECTED by HIV/AIDS, at least AFFECTED by HIV/AIDS. This is apparent all over Addis Ababa and families incorporate more and more children into their homes. It is not only AIDS but malaria, tuberculosis, pneumonia, meningitis, hepatitis, and a myriad of other diseases that could be treated or cured in a country like the US. There is a high infant and maternal mortality rate, and average life expectancy at birth is less than 55 years old.
Another problem is the stigma over having HIV/AIDS or even being tested for it. Even though there are many testing and counseling organizations, drug therapy (ARTs), and nutritional supplements available for those who test positive, there is so much stigma attached to even being tested that this is a huge barrier. This is especially true for women who stand to loose their marriages, livelihoods, and necessary community connections.
HOPE- I believe that there is no “God-forsaken” country and certainly there is great evidence of God’s love in Ethiopia. Hope can be found in the many churches that are organizing to support and care for orphans, widows, grandparents. It can be found in simple families reaching out to friends, neighbors and relatives who are dying. It can be found in the sharing of a last bit of bread, in the eyes of children who play games with stones and holes dug in the dirt. I met teachers who cope with a class of seventy children and share their lunches with children who are on the verge of passing out. Their love for God is shown in their love for their students.
OUR CHILDREN- Many of the children coming to us, particularly babies, are very small and fragile. It is very common to see a baby who is four or five months old yet only weighs eight or ten pounds. Sometimes we do not know the children’s histories as they are found abandoned and sick. There is a severe lack of sanitary conditions, clean water, and nutritious food. Often a loving relative has tried to care for the child for a period of time, exhausted all resources and needs to place the child as a last resort. Some of the children come from outside the high altitude of Addis Ababa where there is malaria. I was at an orphanage where a young mother had just left her stunned two year old daughter with the orphanage director. She was on her way to the hospital where she knew she would die from AIDS complications.
I heard a lot about babies who were sick and dying, including two of our precious little ones. Even in a country where death is a common occurrence, our staff and friends did not take this lightly. It was extremely difficult for me and our team, and especially our Ethiopia Director, Milkiyas and still we think of the two who died and pray for the families who never got the chance to hold them.
We are blessed to have been introduced by an adoptive parent, Lia Strand, to Dr. Jeanie Everson. Jeanie is the medical doctor in Ethiopia for SIM missionaries. She has given me permission to quote her in a recent email: “I am so sorry for the very difficult time for the babies and for those who love them. It is so hard when they are so weak and sick. We in SIM have a few missionaries who care for such babies, and they do not always make it though alive. This is with expert nurse care plus one-on-one care from experienced moms and caretakers.”
Even though we used one of the best hospitals in Ethiopia, the standards are not near those of the US. We brought our own soap to wash our hands along with a supply of sterilized bottles and bottled water. Currently we are doing everything we can possibly do to ensure the safety of our children and to make our transition house a state-of-the-art home where children can be nurtured and thrive. Generous donors have purchased and installed two new water tanks, a stove for cooking and sterilizing equipment, hot water heaters, and many new supplies such as sheets, blankets, bottles, and clothing and an abundance of other necessities. We have been able to locate excellent resources including medical professionals such as Jeanie.
Some of you have asked about children who are HIV+. Yes, we are finding families and placing these wonderful kids (By the way-did you know that HIV is no longer a death sentence? With medication and nutrition, children with HIV+ can live a long and healthy life.)This fits perfectly into our mission. One of the homes in Addis Ababa with whom we work has 13 children who are either HIV+ or have Hepatitis B. They are all under 9 years old. If you would like more information, check with Janie VanDyke our Orphan Advocate at jvandyke@bethany.org.
Please join with me in praying for our children and our team of dedicated staff. They are amazing people who are committed to advocating for all of the children in Ethiopia who are in need of families.
Pamela Awtrey Harrington, LMSW
Director, Bethany International Children’s Services
For more complete facts about Ethiopia, check out http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/ethiopia_statistics.html
Comments
For those of you who are in the process of waiting to go get your child, I want you to know that my family has been praying for you and your children to be. May the Lord fill you with His peace as you wait for His perfect timing to meet your child(ren) face to face. It will be well worth the wait!
Lia Strand
Mother to 5 children adopted from Korea through Bethany
Ethiopia Vision Trip team member
Posted by Lia Strand At 09:42:27 PM On 11/12/2008 | - Website - |