PROCESS
With the successes outlined in the previous entry, Rakeb really
only faces two more hurdles in the process…
1)
The second payment of $3,800. This payment is due to
Amicus on April 5th. To fully disclose what is happening with funds…
At the time the first payment was due, we had received $1,600 from family and
friends, and Amanda and I pitched in the rest. Since then we have again been
setting all donations aside to be ready for the upcoming payment.
2)
The J-1 visa. As a reminder, for Rakeb to be granted the
visa (which is required for her to enter the United States) she must first
complete the visa application, take that to the US Embassy in Ethiopia, pay a
fee, and then go through a 30 minute interview with a US Consular. It is then
up to that Consular if she will be given the Visa or not. We are hoping that
having the Amicus name behind Rakeb and a whole host of American’s, in the US
and abroad, assisting her in process.
RAKEB
While Rakeb’s home is not immaculate, it is a home. Think of
what your home means to you. Her family has made it their own over the past two
decades. It is where the majority of their memories can be traced back to, it
is where she has grown up, it is all she knows. Set that feeling aside for a
moment.
The Ethiopian government somewhat recently decided that it would
be a good idea to host the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa. This
brings continental and international attention to the country, and a fair
amount of income. The building is by far the most elaborate in the city. It is
amazing!
Rakeb’s home is in the shadows of the African Union (AU), and as
that continues to grow, the neighborhoods close by are being evacuated, torn
down, and expanded into by the AU. Until recently her neighborhood had been
spared, but recently the government notified them that they have to move to
make way for a new AU parking lot. Since the government technically owns all
land in Ethiopia, they have no choice. In fact they had to enter a lottery to
be awarded a new place to live. This seems okay until you realize that the
place they now have to move is an hour away from their current home and they
have to pay for their new space!
Another view of the African Union
ETHIOPIA
The Ethiopian currency is the birr. At the moment the exchange
rate is right about 18 birr to $1 USD. To get a feel for the costs of some
basics… A cup of coffee runs about 5 birr, a shoeshine costs 3 birr, you can
see a current Hollywood movie for 45 birr, and you can get a really nice meal
for 60 birr.
Enjoying a 3 birr coffee with friends in rural Ethiopia
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