Somedays, I forget how to count. I told you all that I was going to do three projects before I left, I am adding a fourth… I give more than I actually have… I want to do more than is possible here… I have told you all many stories about Bereket and Abiti. Leaving them is going to be heart breaking. There is really nothing good about me leaving them other than maintaining my own sanity (and not because of them). They are growing up and I have tried to do my best to help them. These boys… oh man, am I going to be a mess leaving them.
Back to what I have done. I got a bit ambitious and spent ALL of my money on a Bajaj for the boys. I am going back to the US without a job, so it makes me a little nervous. I know it will work out and I will find work. This project is to help provide long term for the boys. I really wish i could do it on my own, but I just can’t right now.
I tried to take a picture of the bajaj I bought, but it is out working. In looking for a picture, I came across this blog on bajajs in Ethiopia. It has lots of pics of bajajs.http://spiderwebsunite.wordpress.com/2011/03/27/ten-reasons-to-fall-in-love-with-a-bajaj/
A few months ago, I bought a Bajaj to support the boys. I didn’t feel like it would be wise to just pay the school, family, rent etc for six month or a year because the money would be gone in no time. I don’t mean this as an insult, but they would use the money as an investment… start a shop, buy livestock, etc. If it worked, great, but it didn’t then there wouldn’t be food for them. So, I had to find a way for money to come in on a regular basis. The way it works is that I rent the Bajaj out to a driver and that money goes towards paying the boys rent, their school fees, food and for a family to care for them. It will also provide a job for the driver and a small amount for the person helping with the financial side of things. There is also a young lady with two kids whose husband left her. I have been paying for her rent ($2.75 a month).
I anticipate that the life of the Bajaj will be at around five years, hopefully longer. It cost $5000. If it last 5 years that comes out to a cost of $83 per month to support 2 boys, help a single mom of two and provide jobs for two people. Or if you want to look at it in days, it is $2.74 a day or $19.18 a week. The driver pays $108 a month after oil changes. The extra $25 a month will be used on medical care for the boys, clothes, repairs on the bajaj, English class and other needs I have forgotten.
I don’t know where the project account stands at this point, but any money given over the amount for the last projects will go towards this. If you can support them for one day, one week or one month that would be wonderful. To donate online go to https://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/giving/wmm_doctors/. If you prefer mail you can mail donations to
World Medical Missions
Project #003898
PO Box 3000
Boone, NC 28607
I cannot thank you all enough for your support and generosity!
The libraries are almost completely done. We are just waiting for the carpenter to finish building the chairs. I will get pictures up as soon as they are finished!
Thanks for mentioning my bajaj blog – they are such a great low cost way to get around the towns in Ethiopia. I enjoyed you post!
Marian
http://www.spiderwebsunite.wordpress.com
I’ll miss reading your posts but will keep praying for the seeds you’ve planted.
Also, Maura Welch just retired from the Women’s Healrh Group here in Manhattan. So I think there’s an opening. You should come here. 🙂
Thanks for letting me know. That may just be a great option.
Hi Stephanie,
If/when you return to WMI, let me know if there is anything I can do for you. Mark has my personal email where you can contact me.
I should be there the end of January. Hope to see you then. Are you still working in Labor and Delivery?