2 days in Sendafa.
After several days without internet connection I am writing this post on September 11...New Years Eve in Ethiopia.
The Child Development Training and Research Center (CDTRC) is one of our partners and is located in the rural town of Sendafa. In my 11 trips to Ethiopia, this town on the northeast edge of Addis Ababa stands out as one of the hardest hit by poverty and difficult living conditions. For example, of the 11 schools in the district, only 3 have latrines for the children and staff.
On Monday at the CDTRC, the Arukah Global team sponsored and host a pre-New Years meal for over 120 adults and children from the community - many of whom live on the streets. During such holidays the poor and homeless are left to themselves while families with even meager resources gather to celebrate.
We experienced a sea of smiles while serving food and sharing words, prayers, and encouragement with these gracious people. As the afternoon finished, and our guests left with a gift bag of oil and sugar, there were more smiles, hugs, kisses of blessing on both cheek and hands. It was truly humbling to have shared our day with these people.
Although lunch was attended by a sea of children, the number of adults was near 80. A personal highlight was interacting with the elderly men who attended. They were told that we were honored by their presence, and were thanked for their influence in the community.
Because the elderly Ethiopian men are generally very proud and stoic, I was surprised by the gift of being hugged and blessed (kissing on the hand) by several of them. One particular man named Melenku, who sermed to be the size of an ox, was very happy to smile for a photo(see pic).
Tuesday, our team engaged with the community surrounding 2 homes that we funded to rebuilt(one of them for a sweet widow named Dami - pictured). Because of the overall working situation, we quickly realized that our "help" at building would slow down the process. So, as team members Tyler and Cody dug-in with the local workers, the rest of the team(along with Sara, our wonderful interpreter, and CDTRC employee Dave) connected with the locals. We were quickly surrounded by countless curious children of all ages.
Our time was a mixture of joy and broken-heartedness as we got to talk to children and learn about there lives.
Many of these kids are in a CDTRC after school program that not only feeds them, but equips them spritually, educationally, in family matters, and works to help break the cycle of poverty.
After much conversation, prayer and simple games, the afternoon turned into a massive singing, chanting, clapping, circular street dance "party".
We all sang, chanted and moved to loud, tradional kids "songs". The shower of laughter and smiles ended in a perfectly timed thunderstorm that drew our memorable time in the community to an end.
Arukah Global's entire team squeezed every once of love out of their hearts over the last few days. It was a joy to watch them...
The CDTRC staff pour their lives out for the sake of children, and the organization is impacting future generations of Ethiopians like no other.
Our time spent with them in Sendafa was transformative for all involved.
After several days without internet connection I am writing this post on September 11...New Years Eve in Ethiopia.
The Child Development Training and Research Center (CDTRC) is one of our partners and is located in the rural town of Sendafa. In my 11 trips to Ethiopia, this town on the northeast edge of Addis Ababa stands out as one of the hardest hit by poverty and difficult living conditions. For example, of the 11 schools in the district, only 3 have latrines for the children and staff.
On Monday at the CDTRC, the Arukah Global team sponsored and host a pre-New Years meal for over 120 adults and children from the community - many of whom live on the streets. During such holidays the poor and homeless are left to themselves while families with even meager resources gather to celebrate.
We experienced a sea of smiles while serving food and sharing words, prayers, and encouragement with these gracious people. As the afternoon finished, and our guests left with a gift bag of oil and sugar, there were more smiles, hugs, kisses of blessing on both cheek and hands. It was truly humbling to have shared our day with these people.
Although lunch was attended by a sea of children, the number of adults was near 80. A personal highlight was interacting with the elderly men who attended. They were told that we were honored by their presence, and were thanked for their influence in the community.
Because the elderly Ethiopian men are generally very proud and stoic, I was surprised by the gift of being hugged and blessed (kissing on the hand) by several of them. One particular man named Melenku, who sermed to be the size of an ox, was very happy to smile for a photo(see pic).
Tuesday, our team engaged with the community surrounding 2 homes that we funded to rebuilt(one of them for a sweet widow named Dami - pictured). Because of the overall working situation, we quickly realized that our "help" at building would slow down the process. So, as team members Tyler and Cody dug-in with the local workers, the rest of the team(along with Sara, our wonderful interpreter, and CDTRC employee Dave) connected with the locals. We were quickly surrounded by countless curious children of all ages.
Our time was a mixture of joy and broken-heartedness as we got to talk to children and learn about there lives.
Many of these kids are in a CDTRC after school program that not only feeds them, but equips them spritually, educationally, in family matters, and works to help break the cycle of poverty.
After much conversation, prayer and simple games, the afternoon turned into a massive singing, chanting, clapping, circular street dance "party".
We all sang, chanted and moved to loud, tradional kids "songs". The shower of laughter and smiles ended in a perfectly timed thunderstorm that drew our memorable time in the community to an end.
Arukah Global's entire team squeezed every once of love out of their hearts over the last few days. It was a joy to watch them...
The CDTRC staff pour their lives out for the sake of children, and the organization is impacting future generations of Ethiopians like no other.
Our time spent with them in Sendafa was transformative for all involved.
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