Note

There are lots of pictures of our activities with the kids in older posts, 2008 and 2009.

Profile of our kids

Never sure if she is Sewatu or Mehret... I have had this problem for two years now... old age???

Dereje is 10 years old, and has no father.

We found Markus when we were visiting Ajaiba's home. He is about 11 years old now, but nobody is sure of his age. When he was about 6 years old he was taken to a farm by a man. He run away from the farm and found himself in Addis Ababa. Since then he lives on his own. He has been in this neighborhood for about 4-5 years. He used to live in the police station, moved to someone's home, but is now back in the police station. We enrolled him at Mekdela School and he is a GREAT student. We are so proud of him. He is our responsibility and I wish I could find him a proper place to live. It will happen, I am sure about it... Also our sweetest dream is to send him to College. He loves soccer. 90.2%,Ranking;10/44

Ajaiba, 9 years old, (supported by R. ), Zineba, 11 years old, (Ajaiba's sister) always late to school, live with mother and other 3 sisters in a plastic house, I've been there, the mother does some clothes washing from time to time, but has no opportunities in life, Zineba is not a good student. Ajaiba has been improving.

Habtamu is 12 years old, he has a great personality , but he is not very hardworking at school. I am not sure what is the problem because he was in the theater play working very close to me, and he memorized all his lines, understood everything, was extremely helpful towards others... Average 67.95 Rank 35/39 Failed

Elyas (10 years old) has been supported by our friend A.since the beginning. She picked him as the African brother of her son. He is a super happy boy, we visited his house, met his cat and sister (pictures in the blog), and have also met his father. His mother lives in Dubai. No grade as he is too young.

Abdi (12 years old) is a very tall boy, a great student, very popular among his friends. He lives with his grandparents, and he used to help me calling Membere in his neighborhood as she lives in a very remote corner. Habtamu is extremely poor, difficult to say who is poorer though... He deserves sponsoring for being a good student, I think. Average 79.6% Rank10/45 very Good(10 years old

Tekesta is 9 years old, he is super sweet and feels like a big baby. He also has no father and lives with HIV positive mother.

Leykun is 11 years old - his mother died of HIV and his father is HIV positive, he is always ill, and it seems he has no energy to tell his son to study... He has been warned that he should do better if he wants to remain in the group. Average 52.2% Rank 42/42 Not good

Malkamu has no father and his mother is a beggar. 10 years old, no grades too young.

Nazanet, 10 years old, my princess is HIV positive, and lives with her mother and brother. She would need a better diet but I was never able to supply it. She doesn't do well at school but she is always there, always trying her best. She is very small for her age, and I believe the illness + lifestyle has affected her learning abilities. Her mom is also HIV positive. I took them to the hospital, they take their medicine daily but they both look very weak. Failed in Maths 48/100 and Amharic; 45/100 failed.

Meskerem, 11 years old, is also a great student, she lives in a rented kitchen with her mother. She was part of the theater group and did very well. She is always at school on time, and has many friends. 81.7% Rank 8/42 Very Good

Membere, 11 years old, is my favorite in the group and I support her. She is talented for arts, theater, she is super smart - not at school though. She was raped by her father when she was about 8 years old, he is in jail, he rmother dissapeared when this happened. Maybe because of shame? I heard stories she is in the Middle East somewhere, and that she does not send money to the kids. She used to live with her great grandmother, or grandmother... but she died the day I was leaving Addis Ababa. She knocked on my door to tell me the news. I went to the funeral, and found out an uncle will be taking care of her and her little brother, who is a very quiet and shy boy. We are not sure if he has any development problem. Membere used to go to my house very often, she spend a few hours with us, she was extremely sweet towards us and our dog, and taught us lots of Ahmaric.

Haimanot is 10 years old and has no father. She is adorable, not a good student but very pleasant and caring. 64.4% Ranking 33/42

Enatnesh has very poor parents too, but she is not a good student, however she has lovely personality and is very alive.

Abeba, 14 years old, (above) and Keleme, 11 years old, (below) are sisters, their father is an old man, and he is a beggar at St Gabriel's Church, near our house. In the summer they both go to bible school, and the church feeds them. Connie helped the church a few times, because they do a good work. They are both very quiet and shy, and both very smart. Abeba is always number 2 in her class (92.6% ranking 3/42), and Keleme (94.6% Ranking 1/42 ) is not much different. Abeba's painting was the first one I sold, she painted these blue chickens, very alive and pretty.

Missing pics for

Hiwot, 10 years old
Terehaz - 11 years old, lives with father in a shared room in a house. He was removed from the group when I left Addis Ababa but good hearted Marina sponsored her and brought her back to the group.
Eman -

There is a new kid that was included by Marina after I left.

The ages mentioned here were colleted by Marina end of 2009.