I just wanted to give everyone an update on how much trip planning is going.
I received a phone call from Kim Shaw, the Program Coordinator for Cherokee Gives Back the other day. She wanted to make sure I was still planning on volunteering this summer and how preparations were going. I told her how awesome fund raising was going so far (thanks guys!) and that I had about half of the money I needed and we talked about buying my plane tickets sometime soon. I'm talking to one of my family's friends right now, who is a travel agent, about the plane tickets.
Also, I got the name of a couple who works for Cherokee down in Ethiopia from Mrs. Mestas and emailed them about my trip. I told them about myself and how I wanted to work in the orphanages while I was there along with take photographs. Here is a copy of the email I got back.
Hey Sarah,
Great to hear from you. It will not be a problem to place you at an orphanage, as we have many partners in that area - especially in the summer when the kids aren't at school.
One strong possibility is Hanna Orphanage - quite an outstanding place and superb model. Hanna cares for around 175 kids (not all of them in Addis, however) and divides these kids, once old enough (high school level) into families of 6 or 7 and places them in homes of their own in the surrounding community. The kids learn independence but also responsibility and what it's like to live in a family atmosphere. It's hard for me to describe just how effective this method is, but it is certainly impressive and the kids are awesome.
Glad to hear you're into photography as well - I play around with it a little, but certainly am an amateur; maybe you can teach me a thing or two. I keep a blog and post some pics at www.lamppostreports.wordpress.com, if you're interested.
Look forward to seeing you this summer.
Best,
JT
Well I think that's all for now :-)
JT
Well I think that's all for now :-)
