The Time is NEAR!-- New Correspondenc with Girum
Trip Start
Apr 24, 2006
1
5
6
Trip End
Jul 06, 2006
Madison, Wisconsin
Sunday, May 14, 2006
I hope that these letters will enable individuals to understand the needs of these children and possibly encourage some to make monetary donations for the center. I will not be using any donations for the costs of my trip; rather, any monies collected will be used to purchase needed items as indicated by Girum in his recent response. One fortunate thing... the US dollar goes approximately 4-times farther in buying-power in Ethiopia! However, supplies are limited and therefore cost more due to problems with distribution and availability. For example, I can eat for $5 a day- but a plastic chair might cost $40 (remember... there are no Targets or Wal-Marts in Addis).
I hope that posting these for you will keep you up-to-date and informed about my approaching trip. Additionally, I ask for your prayers as this journey begins. Please see the attached pictures- they are of the five children with whom I will be living for 10 days. You will notice that the center (it is very new) is nearly empty- certainly not containing elements conducive to a "learning environment" - it must be hard to study with no chairs or tables... I can hardly imagine. Which brings me to ponder whether I will be sleeping on a bed while I stay??? I think that I should probably ask about this in my next letter!!! Hmmm...
Thanks for reading,
Amber Lynn Siewert
Dear Girum,
I was so happy to receive your email- it was wonderful to hear of the progress of the children staying at Mercy. I am touched by these children who have learned of my visit, and wish for you to tell them that I am looking forward to meeting them very soon please give them each a BIG hug and tell them that it is from me and that I can hardly wait to arrive at the center on June 6.
I have been working very hard on educating friends and family about the needs of the center. So far, the amount of donations has been very small-BUT I have already received invitations to speak at 2 local Rotary International organizations after my work at your center as well as 1 church bible study group.
I am praying that when I share my first-hand accounts and experiences to these groups of people, that they will truly understand how their funding could provide a brighter future and educational materials for the children of the center an in rural areas of Addis Ababa.
I have placed the picture you sent me of the children on my desk at work, and each time I look at their smiling faces I am filled with anticipation for my work to begin at your center.
While I am staying at the center, I would love to meet some of the other youth that you support in the areas outside of the city of Addis. How often do you bring supplies to these children and their families? Would it be possible for me to join you on some of the other projects outside the city?
As I mentioned previously, I will be arriving at your center on June 6 and staying until June 16. I will be happy to compensate you for the cost of my food while I stay with you-will I need to bring bedding for sleeping, or will there be a bed that I may use? Any information on what personal supplies I will need to bring with me will be very helpful in planning what I must bring with me on my travels.
I have confirmed that I will be able to come to the center BEFORE June 6 to meet with you and the children--the person who will take me, Tom Johnson, and his 2 sons, will be traveling together from the USA to the orphanage in Addis. Tom would also like to meet you and the children and this will give you and I a brief time discuss (in person) the details of what we will accomplish together!
If there is a day of the week that will work best for you, please let me know in advance, as I will have to arrange for transportation from the orphanage to your center on that day. Any day June 1 to June 5 will work for me to meet you and the children. We can also stay in contact by phone while I am staying at the orphanage. I will ask for their telephone number and email you this information.
I am still counting the days until I arrive in Addis (only 15 days from today!). I have only one last request... Can you tell me the names of the 5 children in the picture? I would be so happy to know the name of each smiling face that I see every day on my desk at work!
I look forward to your next email. Tell the children that I am brining a small gift (toy) for each of the five boys. Can you provide any ideas on small gifts that they would like?
God Bless,
Amber Lynn Siewert
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From: Mercy Children
To: amber lynn siewert
Subject: Re: Message from Amber Lynn
Date: Thu, 4 May 2006 23:14:52 +0300
Dear amber,
It has been a while since we contacted, How are you doing and how are things going ?
In the center every thing is fine, the kids are learning different things in the center and their behaviour is improving from time to time. I have told them that you are coming and they are all happy and the are looking forward to see you.
Girum A.
On 4/19/06, amber lynn siewert amberlinas@hotmail.com wrote:
Girum & Friends at Mercy,
I am so grateful for your hospitality and your offer for me to stay at the center while I work with you and the children. I will be happy to compensate you daily for food as indicated in your recent message.
Thank you for providing me with further details and answers to my questions. The pictures of the children are WONDERFUL- I am so happy to see the faces of the children who are in need of my help as well as the financial support of donations to the center.
I am providing our correspondence (including the list of much needed supplies for the center) to those individuals who have expressed an interest in donating. The list of specific items that the center needs will surely help people in knowing where and how their montetary donations will be used to benefit the children at the Mercy center. As you and others have explained, it will be difficult for me to bring more than a few small items with me from the US, as there are strict restrictions on luggage weight- I believe that only 50 pounds per person is allowed- any more weight and the traveler is charged very high fees. Nevertheless, I have faith that God will touch the hearts of my friends and family- and that my visit will be to the fullest benefit of those five children and to the future children, which, your organization will provide much-needed support.
I just received my flight confirmations today! Everything seems to be in order thus far. I leave the US
on May 24 and arrive in Addis on May 25. As mentioned in earlier emails, I will be helping at the orphanage (also in Addis) until approximately June 6, and then I will come to your center-my flight home to the
US leaves Addis on June 16, 2006. I will volunteer for your center for 10 days.
I plan to telephone you at the number you provided in your last email; however, due to the time difference between us, it has been difficult.
I look forward to our next correspondence, and I will keep you updated with any new information as I receive it.
Sincerely,
Amber Lynn Siewert
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From: mercy
To: amber lynn siewert
amberlinas@hotmail.com
Subject: Re: Volunteer in Addis Ababa
Date: Mon, 17 Apr 2006 08:09:32 +0300
Dear amber,
Thank you for your e-mail I am very happy to inform you that you can come at any time you want.
And currently we have 5 street kids ( I have attached their pic )in the range of 8- 11 age in the center but things are not fully available for them and I would like to say thankyou for asking to participate in donation. I have described our need below, this seems much but it is realistic and some equipments are may not be appropriate to bring with you then you might collect some donation and we can purchase it when you come to Ethiopia. If that is possible that will be one of your participation area in helping the center. I have written the cost for you to estimate the price. Incase if you want a phone no here is mine +251911661683.
About accommodation and expense when staying with us, we would be glad to provide you a place to
stay in the rehabilitation center but you have to cover your food expense
that is 5 USD per day in the center. Transport is not expensive in Addis
Ababa at average it will cost 2 USD Per day.
1 musical Keyboard (small) . . . . 150 $
Books ( different) And stationary . . . 200$
20 dress and shoe . . . . . . . 350 $ ( this include the kids we are tutoring that is why it is more but if you can get donation their age is 8- 11)
3 Study table and 6 Chair . . . . . 150$
3 cupboard . . . . . . . . . . 150$
1 table tennis . . . . . . . . . 150 $
1 television and 1 deck to see kids Movie . . . . .400$
1 tape . . . . . . . 200$
1 computer for them to practice . . . . . . . . 350$
Differnt creative small games.
I look forward to work with you soon.
Girum Asnake
----- Original Message -----
From: lynn siewert
To: mercy.ethiopia
Sent: Thursday, April 13, 2006 3:27 PM
Subject: Re: Volunteer in Addis Ababa
Girum Asnake,
Thank you for contacting me in regard to my desire to volunteer. I have experience in community planning and development as well as working with people with special needs. For many years, I worked with developmentally disabled individuals and I am grateful for the understanding and patience that my job taught me.
I am confident that God has my creativity and innovation in mind as he sends me to your center. I am happy to travel outside the city of Addis for the other missions you mentioned in your letter- I wish to use my skills in the best possible way to benefit your organization. I have attached a picture of myself (taken with my fiance on a trip we took last summer)
I am thrilled to put my abilities to work to help your organization and the people who you minister and serve. Several people from my parents church have asked what would be most useful as a donation for your center and would like to send supplies for me to take to you. Please let me know of any specific items that I can bring and I will forward the list on to those people who wish to send donations/supplies with me.
I would like to set a date that you wish me to start volunteering at your facility- I hope to come to meet you durring the week that I will be working at the orphanage, to introduce myself and to familiarize myself with your location--- and also to discuss what plans you have for me! I believe that the date I end my work at the orphanage is June 6th, 2006- however, I think it is a little flexible.
Additionally, will I be able to stay at the center, or will I need to stay at a hotel nearby? Any further details will be helpful. If you have any contact information for the other Americans who previously worked at the center/missions I thought that perhaps they may be a good contact to share their experiences with me.
I look forward to hearing from you soon. Thank you so very much for your time and consideration. I am counting the days until I leave for Addis Ababa...
Sincerely,
Amber Lynn Siewert
