Children of Ethiopia Education Fund

Mr. Norm's Message Introduction Calendar of Events Sponsorship Definitions Participating Schools Brochure

Mr. Norm's Message:

SAVING LIVES

Sometimes I ask myself, "Why are we doing this?" Why are we spending countless hours doing paperwork, bookkeeping, computer work, traveling to Ethiopia on our vacation time, etc. Wouldn't it be easier to come home from work, plop my feet up on the couch, and watch movies or television for the rest of the evening? Then the other day it hit me; "We are saving lives". And we are doing it one child at a time. When you drive around the streets of Addis Ababa and see hundreds of children roaming the streets, it can be very overwhelming and disheartening. You just want to help all of them, and we know we can't. I was looking at a photo of one of our students the other day and I asked my good wife, Ruthann, "Are we really making a difference in the world?". She looked at the photo and said to me, "For this one girl, we are!"

When we send out new sponsorship packets with photos, sometimes the girls look so sad and discouraged. We generally try and take a new photo of each child each year on our travels to Ethiopia. Many sponsors respond to us, how much happier and enthusiastic the girls look in their new photos. This is because these girls now have hope; a hope for a quality education which will mean a brighter future. One student wrote to her sponsor, "The day I found you was like my birthday!" They feel wanted, loved, and important. Our sponsors are providing this through their generous support. Many of our girls have risen to the top of their classes. Countless COEEF students have excelled in Math, English, Art, Science, etc.

How are we saving lives? By educating the girls, we are teaching them to be self-sufficient, educated bright young ladies. Many of our school have initiated anti-aids clubs which teach the girls about this deadly disease that is destroying many lives in Africa. Without the support of our great COEEF sponsors, I would estimate that at least 70% of our girls would be dropping out of school before reaching 7th grade. Then they are faced with future of endless work, early marriage and child-bearing, disease, poverty, and perhaps an early death. It has been shown that educated women, educate their children, and thus it is passed on from generation to generation. The effects are far-reaching. So, with the help of our family of COEEF sponsors and donors, lives ARE being saved, one child at a time.

-- Norm