What a fabulous night we had in Aston Gate on the 6th October Thank you to all who came, took part, donated or worked in the background to make it possible. What a wonderful way to also celebrate the fact that ,as a charity ,we are now 18 years old! A special thank you to The Ambling Band and Down for the Count for the terrific musicians, dancers and the two vocalists who were superb.A night to remember for a long time. We also want to thank Myles Wickstead the former UK Ambassador to Ethiopia who attended with his family. It was such an honour to have him with us.
We are just waiting for final confirmation of total money raised. If you still owe the auction company any money this is a polite reminder to get in touch asap.
- We are delighted to announce that permission has been given to commence the second girls education building, Prudence House. Work to build the perimeter wall and secure the site will commence shortly.
- Work has also begun at the Ejere Health Clinic to bring the new building up to standard to allow operations to be performed by an obstetrician. At present over 200 mothers are transferred to Addis Ababa for emergency treatment each year. This unit will save lives .
- With the arrival of a mains water supply along the only tracked road, connection of the Ifra Beri Primary school to this pipeline has begun. This will enable all staff and children to use a dedicated hand washing facility which will further improve sanitation.
- The current year 12 scholarship girls have gone with their peer group and a teacher to a University near Addis Ababa to sit their national exams. This is a new initiative introduced by the Education board.
- All of the hardship pupils and disabled students have received their new uniforms, soap, underwear and stationary for the year ahead. We were also able to give T-shirts able to to the hardship students and a school bag to the children with disabilities.
Last year, as we could not go to Addis Ababa, we did a virtual Great Ethiopian Run on Bristol Downs, with the authentic Ethiopian running shirt, and the authentic medals!
One day, we will get back to Addis, but if you would like to do the run with us in Bristol, we have a limited number of places. (10 ) To cover the expenses, the fee will be only £25. For that, you will receive the running shirt and the genuine medal ,but we would be delighted if you felt able to donate – or raise sponsorship.
Ameseginalehu – Thank you!
If you are interested, please contact Sue Thomas directly [email protected].
We would like to wish our friend Steve Peters all the best as he undertakes a 7 day challenge for us this half term holiday to raise money for education and health projects. Please do check out his Just giving page.
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/theoffasouthbash
For those organised among you we are starting to sell our lovely Christmas Cards designed by Sally Stanley. Packs of 10 cards are available for £5. Postage and packaging (UK only) is £2.00 for one pack and £3.50 for up to 8 packs.
Please contact Sue Thomas directly [email protected]
The Great Ethiopian Run
For Ethiopia’s Dr Sue Thomas describes her first Great Ethiopian Run. Several times I have been in Addis Ababa when the city closed down, and a sea of runners, dressed in Ethiopian colours streamed through Meskel Square. I discovered that this was The Great Ethiopian...
Bristol Barn Dance fundraiser
Get your dancing boots on! We’ll be a whoopin’ and a hollerin’ on Friday 12 October at this fantastic barn dance fundraiser in aid of new wells in Ethiopia. Huge thanks to one of our fantastic supporters Mandy Risso (of Rivendell Carpet & Flooring), who has...
A lifetime of memories fitting solar fridges in Ethiopia by Nigel Walker
Research into replacing Kerosene Fridges Prior to fitting solar fridges, the health stations in Addis Alem used kerosene fridges to keep their vaccines below the required eight degree Celsius. They had served the stations well enough, but were costly and rather...
The opening of Toby’s House
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Brenda’s Bike – in the news
Have a read of the article just published on The Rider's Digest: I am not a biker. I am a retired GP from Bristol who is part of a small development project in rural Ethiopia, helping out with worthy aims such as wells, schools and health posts. So what am I doing...
Sue and Naomi back from Ethiopia
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Help fund our water projects!
Since 2004, For-ethiopia have carried out a number of water projects. These have been in the form of spring cappings, hand dug wells and drilled wells providing clean safe water to over 25,000 people. Since 2011 we have been very fortunate to have received funds from...
Motorcycle Ambulance Project (MAP)
This year, the Health Authorities in Addis Alem have asked us if we can provide them with a Motorcycle Ambulance. In the remote villages, if a woman is having a problem in childbirth, or there is some other medical emergency, there is no way to get them to the health...
Feedback from our first solar fridge
Feedback from our first Solar fridge 2 years on…. Meskerem and Tsehay are the two young health extension workers (HEWs) at the remote village of Besso, home of our first solar vaccine fridge. It’s installation in 2011 has made an enormous difference to their lives –...
Final report on 2013 water projects
Final Report on Water Projects in Ejere District, 2013. Since 2004, For-ethiopia have completed 15 water projects. Four springs have been capped, five hand dug wells and six drilled wells providing clean water to over 15,000 people. [slickr-flickr tag="water"...