July 2021

We are delighted to announce that two of the scholarship girls from Toby’s House have graduated high school and have just departed to join the Universities they have been awarded a place at. This is a huge adventure for them as they will be travelling to communities very different from their own and it will be the furthest they will ever have been away from home. F-E were able to send money for FDA-E to buy a suitcase, bed linen, stationary, and toiletries to start them off on their student life, which was presented to them at the their graduation party on Saturday 3rd July. By the wonders of zoom, Tigist and Sue were able to join in live with the proceeding for the first time. Also, thanks to an anonymous donor we were also able to supply two laptops to enable them to keep up with their urban peers. We wish them every success in this next stage of their journey. 

This is a very exciting summer for everyone who has been on our girls education journey with us for many years. We are delighted to announce that 3 girls have just graduated university with degrees in engineering, anthropology and agricultural sciences. A further girl will graduate in Maths in August. Three further girls will graduate from college (one in pharmacy and one in accounting). Two of them made it back to celebrate with the latest graduates from Toby’s house before they left for university. They were able to give encouragement, advice and answer any questions the girls might have had. 

Congratulations to Ros Bennet and canine Leo who have completed the latest challenge to travel from Wembley to Bristol in a narrow boat called Dingiswayo.  You can read more about her adventures on the blog she wrote https://motoringincircles.wordpress.com . Ros used the journey to raise money for the plumbing needed for Prudence House. To date she has raised £1756.75 and the figure is still rising. Ros has set a target of £2,000 so if you wish to contribute and help her reach her goal please follow the link. https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/RosBennet1/1

The very lovely Lisa Thomas has made a collection of handmade toiletries free from nasty chemicals using natural products and essential oils.  She was inspired to do something to help raise money for our maternity projects.  We have a number of items still available to buy including hand sanitiser, shower gel, hand cream, soap, lip balm, glasses cleaner and body scrub. Unfortunately we cannot post the items and require collection in Bristol (delivery on special arrangement).

We would have loved to have taken a team out to run the actual Great Ethiopian Run (10k) this year, but that is not possible. Thankfully a virtual equivalent has been organised for remote participants around the world with a t-shirt and finishers medal included. We have set ourselves the target to sign up a minimum of 20 runners raising £200 each plus admin fee to raise money to support the girls who have gone on to university. The money raised will be used to cover their transport costs, a suitcase, bed linen, cooking utensils, stationary and sanitary products and a small stipend. Ideally we would love to also supply each girl heading to university with a laptop. Further information including a couch to 10k support group will be available soon. Please can you register initial interest for participation with [email protected]