Feet on the ground

Monday – a Day at Ajujua Orphanage

Before I tell you about our day at Ajujua, it’s important to understand what makes this orphanage in Awassa so very special.  It begins with a man named Wakeyo.  He is the former President of the Sidama region of Ethiopia and now the director of the orphanage.  He was described to me prior to our trip as a humble, quiet, godly man.  I’m not so sure about the quiet part, but godly – oh yes.  Wakeyo is one of those people you meet in life that leaves a lasting imprint on your heart.  Everything about him and every memory of the time I spent with him makes me smile.  From kneeling down with the children sitting on their port-a-potties to help get that perfect picture of them (sorry can’t share photos of the children in the orphanage on the internet – but it was cuter than words can say), to playing soccer (and playing pretty well I might add) with the older children, to commanding the respect of every person we passed and every child he chased away (with a smile) at market to the breaking out in song and praise multiple times on our long van rides - the love of God just flows out of this man.  He was described as Godly; I think he is truly a gift from God. It warms my heart to know that he is presiding over the orphanage, its children, and its community.  It reaches far, far beyond its walls and he is an integral part of each and every part of it. I miss getting in a vehicle now and not hearing “Praise God, God is Good” coming from the back seat.  It didn’t matter where we were or what we were doing, Wakeyo reminded us at every turn that we were to praise God always and his reminders were infectious.

Monday was a very busy day.  It began with a celebration upon our arrival.  This was the first on many times this week where I was taken aback by our celebrity welcome, but the superstars were waiting for us inside of those walls.  We entered to music and balloons, and streamers, and we were handed roses by the children.  There was singing and dancing and celebration.  It was such a happy place we had entered into and they were so thankful for our journey.

After some music and prayer (and let me tell you these young adults can sing!) we opened up the suitcases of care packages that were sent over from the children’s sponsor.  They come from far and wide for this day so thankful for the gifts they are being given. It’s a bit like Christmas and we have the honor of playing Santa Claus on behalf of all of the sponsors.

Some of the children there did not have sponsors, but were joining the FIG program in hopes of being sponsored.  We gave them packages as well and rifled through suitcases to see what else we might be able to send home with them.  We passed out dresses, shirts, shoes, etc.  These mothers were so thankful.

After we had given away all that we could I was able to look around the orphanage just a bit.  There is not much I can show because we can’t post photos of the children, but here are a few shots.

After lunch we gave out some gifts we had brought for the nannies and staff.  These people care so deeply for these children and it is obvious that they are loved.  Each one of them is truly a blessing to this organization. It felt right to spend some time valuing them and honoring them as they had done for us upon our arrival.

We brought in the extra clothing, bottles, formula, and items gathered from all of you at home.  THANK YOU!  You brought smiles to the staff and much needed items to the babies.

The afternoon’s festivities ended in a soccer game. Two things made this game much different from that of one being played in the states. First, there was no frustration, no anger, no cross words – just fun.  Good kids playing a clean game.  That is just how Ethiopians are.  They are kind, and gentle, they lack frustration in their actions.  What a breath of fresh air!  We could learn so much from how they treat each other.  It is truly remarkable.  The second thing that made this game different…a cow doesn't join in while taking a stroll down the street. MOO!

At the end of the day we joined in celebration of what we had done that day and our team was given authentic Ethiopian dress to bring home as gifts.  It was a good day spent with new good friends!

Tuesday – Ten Cow Tuesday – what a day!

Tuesday morning we loaded up in the van and headed out to the Spring Water Project.  Along with us were Askale and Teshome.  Both work for the orphanage and are equally involved in the community as well.  Again the work of Ajujua spreads far beyond the orphanage walls. Askale doesn’t speak English, but she is a joy and comfort to have around in unfamiliar territory.  A sweet custom in Ethiopia is hand holding.  Everyone holds hands.  It appeared to be a simple sign of friendship.  Throughout the day she would take my hand to guide me in direction and friendship.  This was a crazy day so I very much appreciated both aspects and gladly took her hand. Askale is one enthusiastic woman.  The life of the party would describe her well.

Our day began with a hike down a hill to view the spring water project at a place called Aleta Wondo Woredas (Woredas are composed of a number of wards, or neighborhood associations, which are the smallest unit of local government in Ethiopia.)  Following the adoption of a child from this region, her newly adopted Uncle from Texas wanted to give back to the community where she came from.  The biggest challenge of this community is fresh water and he funded a good part of this project to make clean water more accessible to them through this project.  This community will benefit from and together maintain the fresh water system once the project is completed.  They are in need of about $500 to complete this project. 

(You can donate via this link:  https://www.egsnetwork.com/gift2/?giftid=ACB8F86A0C2A4B9 )

It’s a life changing addition for the people in this area.  No longer will they fight over the water which can occur during drought conditions, struggle to keep the water clean (currently people and animals contaminate the water), or have to travel as far to get it (with or without a donkey’s help this is very difficult).  Water is something we so take for granted.  For them this will be a treasure. 

As we got out of the car we began walking down a road of clay.  Quickly we began descending down a narrow steep embankment that would lead to the water.  I had my head down a bit because I’m not the most coordinated of humans and just knew I would be the one to go down. Head down I walked paying attention only to where my next step would take me.  After a few moments I looked up to find that we were no longer our small little group, but were now a much larger group of people on this steep hike together.  I was amazed again and again at how people would just appear from what felt like out of nowhere and join us wherever we were going.  As Ethiopians do, a man took my hand on the steepest part of the walk and guided me down to the bottom.  He had no idea who I was or what my role would be, but he probably could tell by my face that without assistance I’d fall flat on my butt.  His gracious assistance was so sweet and, well, necessary. At the bottom of the hill were the very people the Spring Water project was to benefit there working on it.  They are invested and excited.  Children were there with the containers that we would see everywhere on our travels…filling them up with water and then carrying them home.  How great will it be for this to become a better and easier process for them.

From there we loaded back up in our van again and headed to Dale (Dah Lay).  This was where we went to meet the ten families about to get their cows.  This was huge for me.  Everyone that contributed to my travels and supported my journey – right here, right now, was changing lives right along side of me.  I am so grateful and more than that – honored that I was able to physically be a part of this.  Thank you!

Before heading to market we met with the families, gave the children their care packages, gave the families a bible, and gave and got lots of hugs.  How difficult I’m sure to be so vulnerable and in need.  These are such gracious, humble, proud people.  They were reserved and quiet when we met with them, but so grateful (a common theme).  One man stood out to me.  He and his son were one of the families there to receive their cow.  His eyes were somewhat disfigured and I’m sure if he had any sight it was very minimal.  His young son led him with his small hand.  I asked how he would care for the cow.  I was told the young boy would help along with assistance from the community.  These children have to grow up so fast.  That young boy was his father’s sight and he was fully capable of meeting that responsibility in that small little body of his… Another family brought with them their son who had been born without arms.  How easy would it have been for them not to raise this child, but they made a beautiful choice to love and raise their son with all of the challenges it would bring in a world already so full of hardship.  Beautiful people. 

The gift of a cow will change their lives.  Livestock can supply a family with milk each day providing nutrition to undernourished children; the manure can fertilize gardens; and extra milk and offspring from the cows can be sold providing the family with income.

So speaking of cows – off to market we went. 

I’ve already told you about Wakeyo and Askale, but someone I have yet to talk about was Teshome.  Teshome is a social worker that traveled with us throughout the week.  He works with the children in the orphanage, the sponsored children outside of the orphanage, the community benefitting from the water project, the families receiving their cows and I’m sure so much more than I can even begin to understand.  His connection to everywhere we went and everyone we met seemed to have no limits.  He is obviously a loved and extremely respected man.  This is the guy that today would negotiate the purchase of the ten cows at market and tomorrow know the exact shoe size and grocery needs of the young lady I sponsor and will translate to her as we deliver the shoes.  He has his fingers on the pulse of Awassa in so many ways.  His smile, laugh, and personality are infectious and his ability to understand the needs of so many, truly impressive.  God carefully placed him in the lives of so many knowing they would be in tremendous hands.  He is the hands and feet of God in this place.

Love this guy!

Fekadu (because he is awesome) drove us as far towards the market as he could.  The skies were questionable and if the African rains began we would surely be stuck. Pretty sure Fekadu doesn’t have Triple AAA so we eventually got out and began our long walk to market down a long road of clay that appeared to go to nowhere. 

When we arrived there (wherever that was) there was not much of a market in place.  We went to a sheltered small patio type area and sat. The market (like the construction of a flea market) began to unfold in front of us, but we were staying somewhat sequestered.  Can’t imagine why, but the bright smiling faces of six white people makes the price of cattle shoot up. Teshome left us to go into what looked like a large corral where the cattle and their owners were.  He took a pen and a small piece of scrap paper and off our fearless negotiator went.  He was gone for what seemed like a very long time.  It seemed similar to the purchase of a car in the United States.  Lots of negotiating, leaving, coming back, negotiating some more, pondering some more, dealing some more… checking out the competition. 

Meanwhile, Wakeyo took us a few at a time for a walk around the market.  This was another opportunity for me to witness how much respect Wakeyo receives in this community. You can just feel it when you are in his presence.  He’s not a large man, a loud man, a mean man – but he is a special man and they all seemed to know it, especially the children.  As we walked through market and he explained what we were seeing, HUGE crowds of children would gather around us.  I mean around as in surrounding us.  Another one of those “I feel like a rock star and I have no idea why” moments.  There was no fear in these moments, but it was an odd feeling.  As soon as the crowds would get too big, Wakeyo would scatter them with the waving of a stick or flailing of his hands and off they’d go.  Like a silent body guard with a sweet smile.

Eventually our tours were over and the negotiating was done.  Each family came to us one-by-one to receive the money for their cows.  Teshome had made the negotiations and they would make the purchase. There was no fear of the price changing, no fear that the blind man would not receive the correct change – these are honest people.  It would be dishonorable to change the price or rip off the blind man.  Ethiopians don’t do dishonorable and I love that!

"Jimmy" - Thanks Brawley Middle School

As the families were gathering their cows and we were taking pictures I was secretly naming a cow.  Animals don’t get names in Ethiopia I’m told, but secretly one cow now had a name. Brawley Middle School now had a cow and his name was Jimmy and Jimmy was about to do great things for some very sweet people.  (Jimmy was going to be secretly incredible #LoveDoes.) 

With that we began the long walk back to Fekadu and back to the hotel.  
What a great day!