She's Here!!!

Rakeb is here! After 30+ hours of travel she arrived in Denver on Monday, August 12^th. She’s had a whirlwind first week with registering for classes, seeing Ben Harper in concert, meeting tons of people, and adjusting to American culture among many other things.

One of the highlights has been a trip she took to Colorado Springs this past weekend. She and the other seven Amicus exchange students living in Colorado got together for an orientation weekend. Orientation is often equated with boredom, but that wasn’t the case this time. It was held at a castle in the mountains! She got to experience hiking, make many new friends, and see a new part of beautiful Colorado.

We are trying to make sure she enjoys the last bit of summer before starting school on August 26^th, so this week we will see Fun in concert, go to a BBQ contest, and do some more shopping!

Thanks again to everyone for making this possible! More updates to come soon!!!

On our way to see Ben Harper

Almost here!

A week from today Rakeb will board an airplane for the first time in her life! 30 hours later she will arrive in Denver, and a new chapter of her life will begin. Thanks to an outpouring of generous donations, she will arrive to a room filled with school supplies, gift cards, and other items that will help tremendously as she adjusts to living in the United States. THANK YOU!

Rakeb’s summer has already been full of experiences! The two that stand out the most are…

1)   Moving into their new home. It is a much larger and newer space than their previous home, but much further away from their family and friends.

2)   After 4 years away, Rakeb’s father returned to Ethiopia to visit his family! He will be there until Rakeb departs, and this time has been invaluable for Rakeb.

We can’t wait to begin sharing more photos and stories of her experience in the U.S.! Rakeb is SOOOOO excited to meet you all!

Now what...

After so much effort and constant to-do's to make Rakeb's trip over here possible, we are still trying to come to grips with the fact that there isn't much to do right now. In fact I bothered one of our Amicus contacts while she was on vacation just to double check.

I could write more, but it would just be for the sake of writing. Thus, I will allow you to get outside and enjoy the beautiful summer.

Keep checking for big updates, but it might get quiet until she gets here in August.

Until next time, enjoy this beautiful view of the Ethiopian countryside. 

Not quite what you expected huh? 

Final Decision

Rakeb and Aaron went to the US Embassy in Addis Ababa on Monday. Her 7am visa interview was "easy" according to Rakeb and she answered the questions appropriately. After dreaming of, practicing for, and simultaneously stressing out about this day for so long, Rakeb got her answer from the US Consular at the end of the interview. SHE GOT THE VISA!!!

Thank you all so much for all of the support, prayers, and hard work that has helped to make this day possible. It never would have happened without all of you! Moving forward we are now solely tasked with logistical items. The visa must be paid for, the plane ticket must be bought, final details must be worked out with Amicus and East High School. All of this is minor compared to being awarded the visa though, and no hitches are visible moving forward.

We'll continue to make bi-weekly blog posts to keep you up to date on where everything stands, and to help you get more aquatinted to Rakeb. Hopefully you'll all have the chance to meet her soon!

Rakeb's smile in this picture doesn't come close to capturing the excitement in her voice these days!

(Bunny ears courtesy of her sister)

Pushed Back, A Special Visit, Shoes

Process

We’ve all waited so long for Rakeb’s visa interview! Now we have to wait a little longer. Rakeb received a phone call late last week from the embassy stating that her interview got moved to May 6^th. Hopefully this just means that she will have more time to practice and be prepared for it. So we’ll continue to keep you posted on how it goes, and hopefully we will be able to tell you that she is good to go next week!

Rakeb

Rakeb’s father, who I mentioned in a previous post, appears to be planning a trip back to Ethiopia soon! If everything goes according to his plan, he will be spending 2 to 3 months with his family this summer. I have talked with both Rakeb and Akleysia recently and they are both so excited for him to be back for a while. It has been 3 or 4 years since they have seen him last, so this would be such a boost to both of them.

Street vendors sell corn on the cob for about $0.15. Be aware that the culturally acceptable way to eat it is by plucking off one kernel at a time with your fingers.

Ethiopia

Did you know that supposedly the only “fair trade” shoemaker in the world is in Ethiopia? An amazing Ethiopian woman, Bethlehem, founded the company by using old car tire rubber for the soles of the shoes, organic cotton for the rest of the shoes, and started paying local workers a fair wage for their time and effort. This company is now being talked about worldwide and becoming a huge success! Check it out at www.solerebelsfootwear.co . 

Ethiopia uses a different electrical current than we do in the U.S. When you don't take the proper precautions your electrical devices blow up... such as my hair trimmer. 

12 Days, National Exam, & 50 Cents

Process

12 more days until her interview at the US Embassy!

Rakeb

Rakeb is not only preparing for her visa interview. When students complete 10^th grade, they must take a national exam. If they pass the exam they can move on to 11^th grade. If not, they must redo 10^th grade and take the test again the following year. Just a little pressure on Rakeb this month…

Rakeb smelling soap that is handmade by survivors of human trafficking.

Ethiopia

I work for an organization in Boulder, Colorado called iEmpathize. We work hard to prevent human trafficking, rescue children who are trapped in human trafficking, and restore survivors of human trafficking. This is an issue in the United States, Mexico, Canada, etc. Really in every country! Ethiopia is no different. After 9pm on the road I walked to reach my apartment each day, the shops would close and young women would appear in front of the metal bars protecting the shop door. These girls stand outside in the rainy 40-degree weather with no umbrella, waiting for drunk men to leave the bars and desire “company”. Some may try to argue differently, but to me there is no way that a young woman would willingly do this. It only gets worse when you learn how much these girls are selling their bodies for, 10 Ethiopian Birr, or the equivalent of about $0.50 or $0.60. 

This beautiful hotel courtyard is where I spent much of my time in rural Ethiopia. Unfortunately European members of the United Nations' World Food Program stayed here as well and supported human trafficking by buying women that are forced to have sex against their will. 

3 Weeks, Fun, Deeper Impact

Process

Only three weeks until Rakeb’s interview! I talked with her for a few minutes yesterday, and she is working hard to prepare for it. In her words, she is “… really excited and a little bit nervous.”

Rakeb

As I mentioned in the last blog update, Rakeb loves music. One of her favorite bands is Fun, and while I was in Ethiopia she was always listening to their songs. As a coincidence Fun happens to be playing a show at Red Rocks on August 28^th. As this is shortly after we hope Rakeb will arrive in Denver, we got her a ticket to go! Since no musicians ever aspire to play in Ethiopia, this would be the first concert Rakeb has ever been to. 

Ethiopia

Something about Ethiopia has obviously impacted me deeply! The food is so unique, the people are incredibly kind, life there is chaotic and simple at the same time, the rituals are mesmerizing, etc, etc, etc… The impact goes further than trying to help Rakeb come study here next school year. In fact this afternoon I have a meeting with a refugee organization here in Denver. They have deep ties to a small orphanage in Addis Ababa and I am working with them to improve their efficiency and effectiveness. 

Leadership Training for street kids in Addis Ababa

A small orphanage in rural Ethiopia