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We are thrilled that you are considering going to Ethiopia with Because Every Mother Matters.
Because Every Mother Matters has worked in Africa serving women and their families for over three years. We first started fundraising in 2008 to send birthing kits to Uganda after hearing the statistics and ordeals that face pregnant women and their children during pregnancy. Within months we came to a realization that there was a huge need in developing countries to create programs that work directly with women. In 2008 there were 147 million orphans worldwide and 4.8 million were from Ethiopia alone. We started researching and found out that in E. Africa 1 out of 11 women will die due to pregnancy related causes. The average mom has 8 children. What if that mom dies delivering baby number 8? What happens to the other children? In many of the areas we work in as many as 4 out of 10 women die DURING delivery. It became clear...take care of momma and it will not only have an impact on her life, the community, but will help reduce the outrageous number of orphans.
So, what do we do?
We provide birthing kits to remote villages and train them how to use them. This alone drastically reduces the mothers and babies chance of fatal infections.
We build and support women’s health and child development centers. In 2010, we raised the funds for a center to be built in the remote southern region of Bora.
We created a sponsorship program for the highest risk mothers and their children. We currently have 60 women in our program.
We educate individuals and villages on hygiene, health, social issues and any other concerns.
We provide funds, transportation and care for individuals who need medical care.
We support and fundraise for other organizations and ministries supporting women. BEMM believes in community and forming relationships to support each other and their causes. In order to truly make a difference requires a unified approach. We support and advocate for several organizations and visions.
This spring we are launching a program and group home for women and young girls who are currently in the sex trade business.
I’m sure you are wondering....What is it exactly that YOU will be doing? What will YOUR part be?
Do you have to be in the medical field or a professional or a certain religion? Here’s the awesome part. Anyone is welcome to join us. All we ask is for you to come with a positive attitude, be willing to be part of a team and leave all expectations at home.
We will spend most of our time in Dessie, a 10 hour drive north of Addis. This is in the Amara region. It is tucked between the Tossa mountain and Azwa mountain. This is where our 60 mommas live that are part of our sponsorship program. We will visit each momma and her family. You will have an opportunity to really see how the majority of the world lives. Depending on our group size and time we may do home repairs, check health statuses, take them shopping and spend time with their children. I can’t even begin to describe how amazing and life impacting this part of the trip is. You enter their home and life as a stranger and leave as family. Dessie is also where we are launching our group home for women and young girls in the sex industry. Jaimie Glandon and myself are arriving a week before the team to secure a home for this project. There is a chance that we may be doing home repairs, moving in and officially opening our doors to the first 10 women. How exciting! Our final mission in Dessie is having our first bi-annual training and social gathering for all the women in our program. Most of our women have HIV, husbands that have died or left, no support and feel very alone. Our goal is to provide encouragement and sense of community in a fun and safe environment while teaching life skills in child development, basic health care, money management and counseling.
The team visiting mommas in our sponsorship program
From Dessie, we will travel 2 hours further north via 4x4 to a small village called Mareya. This is where we provided an ambulance and trained 48 women in basic midwifery and our birthing kits for the 24 rural villages that surround Mareya. We will be delivering more birthing kits, checking up on the 48 women and hopefully offer additional training. There is a clinic in Mareya that we bring supplies to. There’s a pretty big chance we will spend the day cleaning the facility and training the nurses there on the importance of a sterile environment.
Jodie, our medical director training the women in basic midwifery
Next the real adventure begins!!!! (drum roll)...we will begin our journey hiking (yes, hiking) over a mountain to the remote village of Azga. When I went in June to spend time with the elders from the area, it was the first time the majority have ever seen a “frengi” or foreigner. If that helps give you an idea of how far off the beaten path YOU will be. Before I go any further...I want to ease any fears you have by now....I was received with genuine hospitality, I was treated like royalty and I left as family. Words can describe how amazing the people, the experience and the beauty that lives there. With that said, I’m not going to sugar coat it...the hike was hard, steep and tiring. It lasted for only 3 hours at a brisk pace at an altitude(we will slow it way down to accommodate EVERYONE). I truly believe it won’t be a problem for most people...I just want you to be prepared. I can guarantee it will be worth every step. We will be hosted by Kooshain, the elder of Azga in his personal hut with his 6 beautiful kids and spunky wife on the side of a mountain. We will spend two nights in his home. We will spend time with Alebachew (BEMM’s first dad). We funded a major surgery for him this December. I’m sure there will be a celebration. Plan on hiking around the mountain and meeting people from the villages.
The view outside the hut in Azga where we will be staying
The awesome kids of Azga!
That pretty much wraps up the 10 day adventure. We will head back to Addis (the capital) and visit a few other sites and projects. You will be amazed how quickly the time goes.
Now the details
The trip dates are March 21st-April 4th
Airfare will range from $1000-$1500. We will NOT book your airfare for you. However, we will help you find the lowest fares and work together as a team to ensure the majority of everyone will travel together.
The land fees in Ethiopia are $1000. This includes Everything! When I say, “everything”..I mean everything. All meals, lodging, transportation, translators, tips and 1 beer, wine or traditional drink a day . You will only need money for souvenirs and if you desire, “a little something extra” for our staff. Not mandatory, but appreciated.
Details within the details
We need a verbal commitment to hold your spot by Feb 1st
We need application and a $500 non-refundable deposit by Feb 15th. (but no worries..we will use it for the village of Mareya if you can’t come:)
Final thoughts
There is nothing easy or comfortable about leaving your home and traveling to a third world country. I know that. Just remember, you chose to do this. We may book hotels that we are told have “hot” showers and clean beds and when we get there, we will find a hole in the ground and no sheets. You will find yourself in homes and situations that may disturb you. Many times, I have eaten things I would rather not, peed in places that would rather not. (This is where a good attitude and sense of humor come in handy) PLEASE. Trust us. We will not allow you to eat something that is known to make you sick, or put you in places that have know infections. Your health is IMPORTANT. You, remaining in good health through our trip is essential to our success. A good rule of thumb is...If “I” ...“Steffany” refuse it, then it will be culturally acceptable for you to not eat it. (Side note-I have the weakest stomach on the planet, but after traveling with my staff multiple times I learned to trust them and my instincts) Have peace in knowing that in 2 weeks, you get to return to the home you know. We ask that you also become an active participant in our programs. Meaning...spread the word of what we do. We could not do ANY of this without your support. You might also be asked to forfeit one of your packed bags to bring birthing kits or other donations that we supply. We are allowed ONLY 2 bags per person. I personally fit all my needs in one bag and always use the other for items that will help save lives. We also try to coordinate ahead of time people to bring the essentials...ie..One person may be asked to bring toiletries, the other snacks...we try hard to work together in this way. Finally, be willing to be part of a team. It takes a team to make a trip a success.
Most importantly though....
We DO NOT discriminate against ANYONE (well...except negative, genuinely hateful people). I am a Christian. I love God...Yet, I founded this organization to serve EVERYONE. You do not need to believe what I believe. YOU do NEED to give not only the people we serve, but the people who will be serving alongside of you the respect and love they deserve. NO exceptions.
I know this is a lot to process. To be honest, I want this to be something you carefully consider. We, as a team...need the people that come, to be a fit. We aren’t as young in age, but man....We are young in spirit, ambition, and trust. We are not in the business of “mission trips” as a money maker...We are in this to save lives as we ourselves are gaining more than, growing more, learning more and becoming more through the process.
I encourage you to check out my blog to learn more at http://toliveloveandlaughtoday.blogspot.com/
Our Facebook
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http://becauseeverymothermatters.com/
Please don’t hesitate to contact me directly at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or my cell 573-303-2801