A few weeks ago, I began reading various blogs of fellow AWAAers returning from Ethiopia. While getting their children, they were able to visit various orphanages.
As I read these blogs, I was hit with the reality of the famine in Ethiopia. Many of the infants are arriving at these orphanages severely malnourished and in desperate need of special formula. I was hit with all kinds emotions, becoming overwhelmed with the fact that these babies are dying because the poverty and famine are creating a situation where parents cannot feed their children! These mommies in Ethiopia are having to surrender their children in a desperate attempt to see their children survive. My baby, my girl, could be one of those babies, in desperate need of special formula.
What can I do, here, so many miles away from the need? What can I do to help my baby over there? I talked to my husband, Matthew. He is a man of action. I love that about him. I suggest an idea and he takes it and not only flies with it, but soars.
Here’s the deal. Tom Davis, the president of Children’s HopeChest, has posted this on his blog.
Famine and poverty are increasing the rates of malnourished infant babies in Ethiopia. Children’s HopeChest has worked with the America World Adoption Agency (AWAA) on projects in Ethiopia and Russia over the past five years. This request came to us from their transition home where they are receiving severely malnourished babies into their care. This month, in honor of mother’s day, I want to raise $12,500 to provide specialized baby formula to this transition home for these malnourished babies.
Yep, we are partnering with America World Adoption Agency to get the right formula to these babies. It’s not just any kind of formula, oh no. This formula is designed to fill in the many nutritional gaps these babies face.
Here’s what we can do to help. CHC will raise $12,500 to purchase what is known in the U.S. as “Nutramigen” formula. This type of formula is necessary because traditional formula cannot be digested by malnourished infants.
Please go to Tom’s blog and read this. A gift of $30 will buy and ship one can of formula to the chidlren in need. Right now if you give $30 it will be doubled to $60! The first $500 we raise will be matched dollar-for-dollar. If CHC hits their goal, we can send 400 cans of formula to starving infants in Ethiopia. Please consider giving to help these babies.
One of these babies could be ours. For this mommy’s heart, I have to do everything I can to help my baby get well and ready to come home, here.
I was born in Jos, Nigeria many years ago. I spent the next nineteen years living in Liberia, Kenya and Ethiopia.
Melodie, Thank you for your part, with your husband, in connecting Tom Davis with AWAA. What a blessing to see God work this way!! I told a bit of our story on my blog and linked to Tom’s blog. THANK YOU!
Oh, I love your blog:))) I’m still trying to add all the AW families on my blog link…can I add yours? Feel free to add Simply Love to yours, too.
Its been such an exciting day to spread the news about Tom Davis’ book & mission to help our TH!!!
God is so faithful.
Come by & say hi!!
ps: do you mind adding the AWAA Africa “button” on your blog. We’re trying to contact all past, present & future families to spread the news about the reunion!! Even if you can’t come…we’d love to connect with your family:) You can paste HTLM from my blog (scroll down)
Blessings,
Kari
Melodie, I posted ont he YG but wanted to post on your blog as well… thank you for your heart! The AWAA and CHC formula connection is amazing. Think of all the little ones who will be blessed by it!
xxoo
candy