iEmpathize

As many of you know, I work for an organization called iEmpathize. We are working to eradicate child exploitation and sex trafficking. Every day I am surrounded by stories of neglect, abuse, and victimization that are happening here in the United States, and Colorado. It breaks my heart, and that is why I  must do something to respond.

Being responsible for a beautiful 18-year old girl, while being so aware of the dangers that she intersects with at school, in malls, online, etc... is completely humbling! I am probably a bit overprotective because of my line of work, so my best attempt to help Rakeb understand that is to drag her to as many iEmpathize events as I can to hear for herself what threats are out there, and how she can avoid them.

Amanda, Rakeb, & I at the most recent iEmpathize event

Blurred Lines

I got to know Rakeb as a friend in Ethiopia. I did what I could to inspire her, provide some fun experiences, and help her gain confidence, but ultimately we were friends.

One of the biggest challenges for us since she arrived in Denver has been figuring out how to add in the element of guardianship to our relationship. Instead of relying on Rakeb's parents to set boundaries, Amanda and I have had to take on that responsibility. Sometimes it goes well, sometimes it doesn't.

It has been a surreal experience to be learning how to parent a toddler and a teenager at the same time. I have grown to a point where I am able to view challenging times in a positive light, and I sense that I am learning valuable life lessons. Hopefully I understand more fully what they are at some point.

Saturday Breakfast aka time to reconnect as friends

Ethiopian Dinners

If Rakeb goes back to Ethiopia next year, there is a slim chance that the schools there will give her credit for her time in the US. Thus she would still have two years of High School to complete upon returning. We understood this coming in, but still believed that her goal of attending college in the United States would be more attainable with this experience under her belt. 

What we failed to realize is that there are options for her to stay in a US high school for more than 1 year and graduate here. This was something that her school counselor informed us of after Rakeb arrived, and we have been learning about the logistics over the past couple months. Long story short, she has to transfer to a private school next year, so we have been filling out her application, tracking down letters of recommendation, and starting the process of raising funds to pay for another year.

Instead of Amanda and I sending out letters asking for donations this time around, we are empowering Rakeb to be lead the charge. Once or twice each month Rakeb has been hosting a group of friends who give a minimum donation of $10 to learn more about Ethiopian culture by having Rakeb cook traditional Ethiopian meals and preparing a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony. It has been a huge success and through the first three dinners she has raised over $500! 

Rakeb filling coffee cups with a clay coffee pot

Hope

Rakeb is definitely still a teenager in many ways, but there are also numerous instances where she surprises me by making statements well beyond her years.

We were talking about tattoos a while back. When I asked Rakeb what she would do if she got a tattoo, she said that all she would want is the word "Hope" on her wrist. I asked her why, and she said that hope is what has inspired her to push herself, to take chances, and to keep a positive outlook on life despite many difficult challenges she has already faced in her life.

Here is to hoping that she continues to make the most of her opportunities!

Back on Track

So much has happened since the last post, so attempting to write it out would be nearly impossible. Let's just say that life got busy, so here is a photo blog to try and catch you up so we can get back on track with more regular posts...

1st Trick-or-Treating experience for Rakeb & Levi. Levi is a dinosaur and Rakeb is a vampire.

Rakeb cooking for a fundraising dinner to help her pay for staying here for her senior year. So far she has had three dinners and raised over $500!

Hiking in Estes Park. Someone is cold.

Rakeb's first 2-page essay. The smile is more about being done with it. 

Getting ready for her 2nd homecoming dance. Peli is confused.

Photos before her 1st homecoming dance

First time seeing snow!

First Rockies game

1st time playing mini-golf

Hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park

FUN Concert at Red Rocks

Outside of East High School

Back to School

Rakeb started school this week! She has a challenging schedule with two English classes, Advanced Biology, Advanced Algebra, US History, Spanish, and Photography. It appears that the biggest challenge for her so far has been adjusting to starting school at 7:30am. I know that I would be completely useless at that hour in an Advanced Algebra class. She is loving the fact that her teachers actually care about her, and go out of their way to make sure she understands each lesson. This is drastically different than what she was accustomed to in Ethiopia.

Fun concert at Red Rocks

1st Day of School

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