Medihanit

For the last 9 years my family has sponsored a child through World Vision. First was Nesanet. I remember my Mum and I picking her photo out in the shopping centre. She is the same age as me, at 10 years old she wasn't receiving an education until we sponsorred her. Recently Nesanet has left the Kochere Area Development in Ethiopia. I was told by staff that she voluntarily moved away and married out of love.
So we began to sponsor Medhanit, a 12 year old Ethiopian girl in the same program. I organised to meet her and travelled 8 hours by car to meet her last week.
Meeting her was one of the most incredible experiences. I went to her home were her family served me coffee. The coffee is part of the income scheme, and one the best coffee regions in the world. Yirgachef region coffee if anyone if familiar with that.
A translator helped me fill in the gaps where my Amahric failed. Medhanit was apprecitative but a bit shy. It was her parents reaction that was most touching. Her Mother hugged me and held me for a long time thanking me. Her Father too was very emotional. I gave them a bag with clothes, books and school supplies which they very incredibly grateful to receive. Inexpensive items that would be taken for granted for most people but can make a difference in a child's life.
Medihanit is grade 4, her mother grade 5. With the help of World Vision they can continue recieving an education without worrying about earning money to eat. The Kochere Area Development Program supports 3,849 children. This program is one of 70 projects in Ethiopia alone. As well as supporting children they work on several other projects such as food and water security, education and health.
I visited the high school (caused a bit of a ruckus amoung the grade 12 boys, not expecting a white girl to stroll into their math lesson). It was built in 2005, before this there was not high school or prepatory school for university. Students would have to travel to the nearest school which was a 3 hour drive away, or most commonly they would drop out. Now 1,500 can receive a higher education and have the opportunity to go to Dilla University, in the next town. This was built with the money from Australian sponsors and is fullfilling a great need in the community.
A third of the students are girls, an impressive number for a rural town. I hope that one day in the future Medhanit and her Mother can go on to university if they wish to do so.

Sponsoring a child is just $40 a month, if you break it down thats is a few coffees or a pint a week. Very managable between a family or a few friends. If you don't fancy a contract there are some great donations, as little as $5. You can pick to buy school supplies or even donkeys for a family.
I felt so proud to be driving around in a World Vision vehicle and hanging out in their office. Hopefully after I finish my Social Justice degree at university, I can change that visitor badge for a career at an amazing NGO such as this one.