I know Times are Hard Now Here but Times are Always Hard in Ethiopia

Sometimes I wonder if I am doing the right thing. What have I gotten myself into? I then look at the pictures, the faces of the children, their eyes show me a glimpse of their soul. They are innocent and must depend on others for not only their future but their present survival.

I know I am doing the right thing.
We started this endeavor not really knowing what we were getting ourselves into. We knew nothing of incorporation, non profit, 501c3; we only knew our hearts had been touched and there was no turning back. Only just a bit over one year ago I a was volunteer hoping to make a little difference in the lives of some African children, now I lose sleep sometimes wondering how we are going raise enough money for them to eat 2 meals a day.We all know times are hard around the world right now and people don't have extra money to give away, so "Friends of Fresh and Green" must work even harder.  People are always reminding me of this fact but I can not tell the children "do you mind not eating for a few years the economy is really bad right now".  This is the time we have to really remember things could be a lot worse.  We can still help others.

There will always be people less fortunate then us and if they can smile, so can we.

Thank you for your help in feeding the children.  www.FriendsOfFreshAndGreen.org

Are We Really Helping? I think yes!

Traveling to third world countries can be extremely overwhelming for many of us who are fortunate enough to be part of that 28% of the world that lives above the poverty level. We tend to forget that many people in this world don't know where their next meal is coming from or when it will even be. When reality is thrown into our faces, by choice or circumstances, we can be taken by surprise in our reactions. Some of us go into denial, turn a blind eye, others of jump right in and try to help and still some are overwhelmed with sadness and a sense of uselessness.

No matter how we feel and weather we choose to ignore situations or not, they still exist. Where we are born does not dictate our worth as human beings. Whether we are rich, poor, light skinned, dark skinned, male, female, or anything in between, we all have the same universal needs. Love, food and water are only a few of those needs that should not be hard to obtain but some how they are for many.

If I can help just one person in this world to achieve some of those basic needs, I know I have made a difference. I am learning that I can not save the whole world or even one small community, but I can do a little, and sleep better (sometimes) knowing I have tried.

I once read a quote that went something like "The biggest mistake was made by the person who did nothing because he was afraid he could only do a little"

So just do a little and feel good about it. And don't forget to thank your mom.

Another Successful Trip

We returned on Saturday night from our most resent trip to Ethiopia. The kids seem to be doing well but some of the mothers, not so much. We went to visit 2 of the mothers at their homes who were very ill. They had both been in bed for 2 months and one is HIV pos. We took them to the hospital the very next day after our visit. I just cant let someone lay sick in bed when I have the means to care for them. Some of our very generous volunteers left them money for their rent ($10.00 & $15.00 a month) and food also. One of the mothers will be alright and was given medication the other, (HIV pos) was told to go home, rest and eat well. I was told that was a bad sign and she may not make it. Her husband died last year of AIDS and she has 4 children, 2 of which attend Fresh and Green and 2 older children who take turns staying home from school to care for her. Please keep them in your prayers.

We did get a floor put in the kitchen and some long needed stairs added to the entrance. Again, thank you to our most generous volunteers. Thanks to their donations we had enough money to cover the school costs for April and catch up on rent we had fallen behind on due to lack of funds and take care of the school maintenance.

To be continued............

The Rio Grande Ate My Gucci

As far back as I can remember, I have always wanted more than I have had.  When I passionately wanted something, I would work as hard as could to get it.  But most things I just wished for.  I had only wants, rarely desires and never real needs.  I am not sure where those feelings came from.  I grew up in the upper middle class and attended private schools with some extremely wealthy families, I became an International Flight Attendant and have traveled to many places people only dream of and I live in New York City.    I have seen the "good life". (although I know now, money a good life does not make.)  Through luck and circumstance I have stayed in 5 star hotels and eaten at fine restaurants.  Are these the reasons or is it just the American way to always want more?

I do believe God, the Universe, a higher power or something is trying to tell me (and the rest of the world) something.  Fortunately, and just in time, my way of thinking as changed.  Thanks to my involvement in Ethiopia, as I have stated before, I realize I don't need so much.  We also are witnessing at this time how greed can hurt us all.  

And last week one more message was sent to me.  I had purchased a pair of Gucci sunglasses 2 years ago (they were half price) and was wearing them on my head while taking a picture on a bridge 650 feet above the Rio Grande River in New Mexico.  Well they fell off my head and down, 200 meters!  

The Rio Grande ate my Gucci and I am happy to have made the offering!

My thoughts for today

I just returned from an amazing 10 day ski trip in Utah! We had great snow, 2 feet of powder!
As we paid our $60 a day for a lift ticket I could not help but think of what that money can do for the kids and families of Fresh and Green Academy. ($60.00 is two months salary for a teacher at the school!) I often feel guilty for what I have when approximately 72% of the world lives in poverty. How did I get so lucky? (and I am hardly wealthy) For most people living in poverty, their only aberration was being born in a certain country. I know I am doing what I can to help and that is really all that is expected of me, but I look around realize I have so many things. I have purchased items frivolously that I have no need for and I feel ashamed. My friends in Addis Ababa seem to only need food, shelter, and a means to take care of themselves and their family. They have little in the way of material possesions, but they have dignity. (I ask myself, Do I?)

I try not to judge, but in theses times when the US is not quite on the high financial horse it was once ridding, I can't help but think that our priorities became marred somewhere along the way. I hope we can soon revert back to simpler times, when $10,000,000.00 apartments and private jets were not what was needed to make us feel like somebody. We should be proud of what we do, not what we have. I would like to see us look out for one another, not just our bank accounts. We are in a global crisis and we need to take stock in what really matters in our lives. We need to realize that we are not on this earth alone, and we should all do what we can (every little bit counts) to help our neighbors throughout the world.


Well that is my two cents for today. (which will buy a piece of gum in Ethiopia)

Thanks for reading,
Trish

A New Year

I am really looking forward to a New Year. Things got so bad for so many in 2008 that I believe things can only get better. I do still feel like we are so very lucky for all that we do have. So many people here in New York have lost jobs and that is terrible but I at least we have a right to education and a means to eat. We still have soup kitchens and welfare. I think of the friends I have in Ethiopia who do not have access to any thing like that and have to rely on hand outs daily.

I am so proud of the mothers that have formed a cooperative. They are volunteering at the school, (cooking and cleaning) making jewelry and working in a store that was donated to them to use for a year. They take turns selling items such as sugar, soap, water, and other nnecessities to the neighborhood residents. Their jewelry making is improving all the time and I have been selling it here in the US. I have been able to send over $600.00 back to them. The director of the school, Muday, has had them all (22 mothers) open bank accounts and she pays them in salary form instead of just giving them all the money at once, so they can budget. Most of them have never had a steady income in their lives.
On my last trip we brought about 250 small sets of sheets donated by an airline. What was not used on beds was made into clothing by the moms. I was so impressed!



The children are doing well. My partner Tim is on his way there now and a friend from Rome is there now as well. We got a donation of a mouth model and they will be using it to teach them how to brush their teeth. The traditional way to clean teeth in Ethiopia is with a special stick they have there, but the kids are now drinking powered milk that contains sugar so I am afraid the stick is just not enough any more.

I am planning to go back in April and can't wait. My husband will be going with me and I couldn't be happier. I am so excited for him to meet my new friends there and see what has become such an important part of my life.

Just back from trip #3

I just returned from my third trip to Ethiopia yesterday afternoon. I am still out of it. I guess I have jet lag. (thought I was immune) It did take me 24 hours to get home this time. Each trip it gets harder to say good by. I have made such wonderful friends. The school director, Muday is such a kind and generous person and I feel such a closeness to her. I also find I am feeling much more comfortable and at home in Addis, despite the vast cultural, social, and political differences from my own country. I really can't put into words the feeling. The people there are so kind and really care for, and respect each other despite the harsh living conditions and extreme poverty. They have shown me that we really don't need very much in this world to prosper. A strong spirit, love for family, the will to survive, and just the basic necessities mean so much more than a big house, nice clothes and an SUV.

More very soon.
Trish