We Want You: Travel to Burayu

In the recent months, several adoptive families have been in Ethiopia to meet their children and had the privilege to visit Burayu, many of whom have sponsored and met their sponsored child.  Ask about their incredible experiences!  Now we are planning for other groups of us to travel and visit Burayu.  Whitney is traveling in August to help solidify some connections between Children's HopeChest, Burayu CarePoint leaders and Adoption Associates staff, along with the incredible opportunity to spend some time with 150 great kids.

Now it's your turn.  We want you to join us!  We are making plans to have a team travel in 2015.  Clear your calendars.  We are scheduled for the week of February 28th to March 8th time frame.  Travel will be that week, but nothing has been confirmed for flight details yet, though they are currently showing to be a very good deal at under $1000.  There are also some ground fees, but these flight deals may not last.  Email us at BurayuCommunity@gmail.com if you may be interested in joining us.  It is undoubtedly an adventure of a lifetime and we want to share it with you.

Changes in Burayu

Great news from the field in Burayu, Ethiopia thanks to your dedication and partnership!
1. Sponsored children pack in every week to the courtyard at the Kale Hiwot Church to gather for tutoring, discipleship, fun and games and a chance to build relationships and connections.

2. The CarePoint committee and volunteers have been organized. This is great, as it ensures that the community is involved vs simply the paid CarePoint staff.  Prior to staff being hired, the committee, church pastor and volunteers have been responsible for discipleship.  They will continue to help with this, even after the Project Coordinator takes over responsibility for discipleship.

3.  Two staff members have been hired – the Project Coordinator and the Accountant. A third staff member will be hired soon.  Salary and medical benefits for the two staff members cost about $254 per month.

4.  This week a disbursement of food (wheat and food oil) will be coordinated, as well as purchasing some much needed items of clothing, likely to include shoes. A little over $18 (including admin) per child to purchase clothing this month has been allocated.  Families will receive approximately 25 kg of wheat and 3 liters of oil.  If the budget allows, Burayu leaders would like to also send home supplementary food quarterly.

5.  The CHC field staff and Burayu leaders have put together an abbreviated annual plan.  Their Fiscal year will turn over in July, so these projects are short term, urgent priorities.  We will receive a new plan at the turn of there fiscal year that we will share with each of you.  In addition to those already mentioned, ongoing support items in the ‘shortened’ annual plan also indicate monthly funds set aside for soap/toiletries, medical treatment, and discipleship activities etc.

6. Your sponsorship is making a difference!  It takes time to get everything up and running smoothly at a CarePoint, but Burayu is well on its way, thank to your dedicated hearts.

7. Burayu has had American visitors over the past month.  The children love to have visitors, and now it has become even more special since many of them have received written letters from you.  Think about joining us on a trip sometime.  Everyone is welcome and you will love every minute of it.  We are beginning to plan for our first official trips over.  Of course if you are traveling for adoption or any other reason, we can arrange for a personal visit with a little notice.  You can see first hand how your investments are being put to use.   

Questions or comments, email Whitney and Sue at BurayuCommunity@gmail.com