If we turn away 5 mothers per day x 5 days per week x 52 weeks per year, then we are turning away 1,300 mothers per year! This fact hurts to type.
It becomes harder to swallow when we consider the number of children currently in the project for whom there is a good chance they would not have survived without intervention. It is painful to consider that there possibly are those whom we have to turn away that will not make it to their next birthday…yet it is the reality.
So, what are we going to do about it? Great question. We have been talking for some time about expanding the project, but the need became even more clear late last week when the local government officials came for a visit. They said to us, “The need is so great…please, please, please open another center to help more families. We love what you are doing and we will do anything in our power to help you serve more people.” We love our local government folks.
By now you’ve probably guessed…It is time for us to expand! From here we will petition the government formally for permission to add an additional 44 children and their mothers to the project. This process will take a bit of time, but we feel confident that by the end of the year it could be a reality. This will take us to a capacity of 110 children and their mothers.
Still a drop in the bucket, but it’s a start.
Here’s what you can do about it.
1. Church Partnership. We know that there are churches out there that care about orphan prevention. Is your’s one of 
them? We’re looking for churches to become Church Partners of Embracing Hope Ethiopia and get your congregation involved in keeping families together and preventing orphans. See the Church Partner story in this edition.
2. Sponsorships. We’re going to start a waiting list again for those willing to become family sponsors. I know that I just got done begging people on Facebook to sponsor…but please help us keep spreading the word.
3. Administrative Costs. Are you someone who loves to cover administration costs? If so, we’d love to talk to you. Our dream is to break out our on the ground administrative costs from the sponsorships in the long term.
4. Pray. Pray. Pray. A new round of approvals means a new round of government meetings, rewrites and convincing. Please pray for wisdom, favor, understanding and perseverance.
Thank you so much for partnering with us!
