Feeling charitable this holiday season?

Oh my, the holiday season is rapidly approaching! This is a time that you might be brainstorming on a nice gift to give to others or even hope that you receive! For our family and what we have recently experienced through adoption, we are entering this holiday season from a different prospective. First, we have spent time in a country of beautiful people who experience extreme hardships on a daily basis. A place where little monetary value for us could go a long, long way for them. Second, due to the hardships that one mother, our daughter's birth mother, has had to face in her life resulting in her need to give up her little girl to adoption, we feel a combination of great remorse, gratitude, and motivation to make a difference. Whereas we cannot change the situation that has happened in Y's  mother's situation, we hope that we can make a little difference in preventing similar situations happening to other families.

So, instead of giving a nice new sweater to someone, think about possibly putting that money toward
sponsoring a child in school for a month or making a donation that will buy 10 new books for  library? I am betting that the spirit of giving will shine brighter for both the giver and receiver with such a gift. :)

The charitable opportunities in Ethiopia are endless, but I am highlighting a few that I feel to be top-notch. I am pretty tuned in to the adoptive community and in contact with women who feel strongly about giving aid to Ethiopia. These non-profit organizations (many grass roots) have very little or zero overhead costs and seem to come up frequently as ethical organizations that do a lot of good. I will continue to add to this list as my research continues, but here is a good start. I encourage you to click on each link and see if one stirs you!


1. Lola Children's Fund  www.lolachildrensfund.org
 I put this as #1 on my list as this is the one we will be contributing to. This organization is located in our daughter's birth area of Mekele. This organization gives orphaned children who are affected by HIV a chance to receive residential care, medical care, and schooling. They also support families who are at-risk due to HIV. We will be doing the $35/mo child sponsorship program. They also have just one time donation opportunities.

2. Ethiopia Reads  ethiopiareads.org
Many adoptive families are dedicated to this cause and even make personal trips to see the benefits that this organization provides. Check out their informative website to see all that they do. Their primary focus is to build schools and libraries (including mobile libraries via motor or donkey) as well as in-service and trainings for locals that will be involved with these projects.

3. Roots Ethiopia rootsethiopia.org
This organization's main focus is providing kick start grants (to primarily women) so that they can start their own income generating businesses. Love this! In addition, they also have a school sponsorship program. It is possible to make a one time donation to a general fund or a monthly school sponsorship donation. The founder, Meghan Walsh, said that I can share my email with you all if you have specific questions meghan@rootsethiopia.org. I hear nothing but good things about this one and when we get more $$ in our pockets again, we will also be contributing to this organization.

4. FAYYE Foundation www.fayyefoundation.org
This organization was founded by a fellow WACAP adopter, Jamie Lynn Grumet. I think she is a powerhouse and I put my trust in her compassion and cause. This foundation focuses on micro loans, maternal mortality, and clean water projects.  

5. AHOPE  www.ahopeforchildren.org 
This is a school/family sponsorship program for children living with HIV. This is a long standing foundation that has a stellar reputation.

6. TESFA  www.tesfa.org 

For all my athletic friends out there, you might like this one! This foundation focuses on school construction, education, and sport development programs. They have a housing and training program for teen girl runners. You might also want to click on this movie clip: townofrunners.com  to check out of some of the good they contribute to.

7. WEEMA www.WEEMA.org
They just do a lot. Check them out!

The following are Christian school sponsorship programs that carry good reputations.

8. Embracing Hope International www.embracinghopeethiopia.com

9. Bring Love In  www.bringlove.in

10. World's Greatest Beans worldsgreatestbeans.com  These folks partner with Bring Love In and 20% of proceeds go to their foundation. Buy some beans! Support a cause!