In October and November, eight volunteers travelled to Ethiopia to work on many EAVO projects. To most, this was their first time seeing the country. They worked on such projects as treating the sick, building playgrounds, protecting spring water and so on. There is a saying that “a picture is worth a thousand words”, so we thought we would share some of those activities in pictures. Enjoy!

High School Students:

We met many of our 121 high school students in Tulu Bolo and Harba Chulule. Art and Lesley Huffaker were very much touched by how much these students were willing to sacrifice to get education. They live more than 20 miles away from home in a small room, barely enough to sleep 3 students where they also study and eat their meals.

Art and Lesley with our students. Art’s question: “Is that really where they study and sleep?”

Playing table tennis with some of our high school students with lots of spectators

With our high school girls at their compound (Seifu, Hailu, Lesley and Fekadu our high school mentor and evangelist, far right)

Jim Reese inquiring about biology

Pictured below is Tallegin, one of our high school students who compete in major sporting events, receiving stop watch, protein powder and water bottle. He lost his father when he was 13. An anonymous donor gave money to buy him running shoes. Another committed couple is sending him money each month to buy food as he and his single mother of 8 children is very poor. We plan to tell you about his story sometime in the future.

Jim and Lana donating running supplies to Talegin

Clinics:

Many thanks to Lana Reese and Ainalem, a local nurse, along with Jim Reese who worked tirelessly on croud control, East African Village Outreach (EAVO) was able to treat over 800 sick people in the villages of Acheber, Roben Jirecha and Endegan while the rest of the team were busy with othe projects discussed below. Pastor Wami Mole was witnessing about Jesus bringing many to Christ!

Treating the sick was overwhelming in all 3 villages we conducted clinics

Lana and Ainee interviewing a patient

Water Project:

With donations received from Rotary Club of Sacramento, we were able to complete a spring water protection project that delivers clean water to ovre 100 children at our kindergarten, to a guest house built near the school and to more than 250 local villagers.

Seifu and the work crew. Missing in this picture are Tim and Bill.

Skip Ohs testing the water

We are grateful to Tadesse Assefa of Guennet Church who oversaw the start and completion of this spring protection project. Tim & Bill Kesselring, two brothers who joined us at a later time, worked very hard to make our mission, including the final phase of the spring water project, a success. A heartful thank you goes to Skip Ohs who helped direct the project to its successful completion.

Playgrounds:

With a large donation received from Lakeside church in Folsom and additional fund from EAVO, we were able to construct playgrounds at our kindergarten in Acheber and at the Roben Jirecha school where we previously built additional rooms. These playgrounds included two merry-go-rounds, two swings two volleyball courts at each of those two locations, and a soccerfield goal in the compound of the kindergarten for local kids to spend their leisure time and get them involved in Bible studies. We also built a volleyball court and delivered a table tennis at the Youth Center in Harba Chulule where our high school kids are staying.

Trying out the playground: Skip pushing merry-go-round “passengers” while Bill and Teshale are watching

Tim and Bill preparing for construction of merry-go-round

Lana and Ainee interviewing a patient

College Students:

We are pleased to inform you that, among the many students we supported over the past 5 years, 23 Acheber students are in colleges throughout the country. Some are scheduled to graduate next year. Yes, your gift is making a difference in many of these students’ lives. We have now started a “support a student” program. For just $10 a month, you can sponsor a high school or a college student to continue his/her education. Thank you for your support! Our future plans include:

• A water well in Endagagen
• More evangelists in all of our 3 project sites
• Future medical clinics (The need is quite evident – see pictures under "Clinics")
• Nutritional counseling for women
• Agricultural training (We have begun this at a small scale)
• A church in Roben Jirecha
• Support for Roben Jirecha high school students who would otherwise can’t go beyond 8th grade.

Yes, you can make a difference with your gifts!

Please consider giving to these life changing programs this holiday season.
Send your tax-deductible gifts to:
East African Village Outreach (EAVO)
7201 Florin Road,
Sacramento, CA 95828