An AHOPE post from a fellow blogger

Nikki is someone that I've come to know as I have been preparing for my trip to AHOPE. She is a college student who lives in Canada(and you all know my affinity for Canadians)who has gone on several humanitarian trips. She recently returned from volunteering in Ethiopia with her boyfriend. They got to visit AHOPE for the day and these are her thoughts.


Today Alex and I went to AHOPE, something I have been wanting to
experience since I first became interested in Ethiopia. In one word, it
was heartbreaking. All of the kids at AHOPE are orphans and have HIV or
HIV/AIDS. Many are in the process of being adopted to Canada, the
United States, and other countries, so it is against the law to post
pictures of them online, but take my word for it that they are precious
children.
We got a driver at around noon and drove to the Little Ahope, where the
kids aged 0-7 live. There were 30 kids in the Little AHOPE, that we visited.
There is another compound for the big kids, but they just happened to be
visiting the little compound while we were there, so we got to spend
time with them all. As we got there, the kids were just finishing up
their lunch and getting ready for nap time. We got to play for 15
minutes or so, and met two other adoptive moms there with their kids,
but then it was nap time for two hours- we picked the wrong time to
come!
We went back to AHOPE just as the kids were waking up from their naps.
There are 3 bedrooms- one for the babies, one for the boys, and one for
the girls. I was talking to a boy outside through the window, and he
motioned for me to come inside. Then I got to have fun with them
before it was time to leave. They are precious, and so sweet. They are
just desperate for love- hugging on to us and wanting to be held and
hugged and kissed. Overall, the day was amazing… something I will never
forget.

Benefit at Clybar

Thanks to everyone who fought the crazy Chicago weather and made it out to Clybar last night. Even though we had a small crowd, it was a great evening and I appreciate the support!!! And a special thanks to Jen for working the room with my donation box.

If you weren't able to make it, remember I'm still taking donations by mail and paypal.

Plane Tickets!!!!

Well, I finally pulled the trigger and purchased plane tickets. I am sort of hyperventilating at the moment-- but I got an awesome fare.

$1,578.27 on KLM- Dutch Airlines, which is partnered with NWA.

I leave June 8th at 4:15pm and return July 26th at 11:15am.

Yummy Dinner

I just had a great dinner at the Ethiopian Diamond, in Edgewater with a group of adventurous friends.

We ordered the Taste of Ethiopia Vegetarian platter; which includes....

Sambusas
Shimbra Assa
Yemisir Watt- my favorite
Kik Alicha
Gomen
Tikel Gomen
Dinich Alicha

I had a great Ethiopian beer, called St. George and I purchased green coffee beans at the market across the street which I'm going to roast at home. The owner of the market was super helpful in explaining how to do it.

Next time, I'm trying Demera-- let me know who is in.

Upcoming Fundraiser!!!

March 28th-- starting at 8pm

CLYBAR
2417 N. Clybourn Ave.
Chicago, IL 60614

773-388-1877
http://www.clybar.com

Come out, have some cocktails, and learn about a great organization!
Voluntary donations will be accepted

Email me if you have any questions!!!!

Wine For Ethiopian Food

My principal cut an article out of the Tribune for me!!
It is all about finding the right wine for Ethiopian spice.

These are their suggestions:

2007 Mulderbosch Chenin Blanc
"This South African white had a brilliant light yellow color, a jazzy herbal nose and a mouthwatering crispness. The richness of the doro wot cut the wine's tartness while the wine made the stew taste spicer."

2006 Yangarra Grenache McLaren Vale Old Vine
"This big Australian red had a nose of eucalyptus and smoke. The flavor offered lots of black cherry fruit and a touch of mint. The wine and the doro wot balanced each other well; the wine's flavor lingered on the plate."

I am going to go to Binny's and Sam's and look for these for when I attempt to make Ethiopian food for an upcoming dinner party.

Tomorrow, a group is off to the Ethiopian Diamond to try their vegetarian platter!!

African Reading Challenge Part V

Stolen Lives by Malika Oufkir

At the age of 5, Malika Oufkir, eldest daughter of General Oufkir, was adopted by King Muhammad V of Morocco and sent to live in the palace as part of the royal court. There she led a life of unimaginable privilege and luxury alongside the king's own daughter. King Hassan II ascended the throne following Muhammad V's death, and in 1972 General Oufkir was found guilty of treason after staging a coup against the new regime, and was summarily executed. Immediately afterward, Malika, her mother, and her five siblings were arrested and imprisoned, despite having no prior knowledge of the coup attempt.

They start off living with relative comfort but then are quickly put in a prison with unbearable conditions. They live here for years and eventually are able to escape. This is the story of their struggle. I read this for my Amnesty International Social Justice Bookclub last summer.

That's what friends are for.....

Back in 8th grade,I remember having to learn the words and music to That's What Friends are For-- I don't remember what for, perhaps 8th grade graduation-- not terribly original but great meaning!!!
These are pictures from my benefit from Saturday night, taken by my friend Peter. They are a collection of old friends(grade school, high school, college) and new friends!!! Everyone helped to make this a great evening.

An Amazing Night!!!

Hi Friends,

A huge thank you to everyone who came out Saturday night to the Cellar Door. It was an incredible night. I can't believe how many of you came out and how generous you all were. It was so great to get to see everyone and catch up. Thank you to Southern Wine and Bill Eagan(and Kelly) for donating the wine for the silent auction.
The support you all gave me really meant a lot.

I would like to thank the following for their donations:

Wendy and Jim Becker-- thank you but please stop with the fly comments already!!! I get it, you think I'm crazy.
Kristen and Jason Martin
Lynn and Mike Mayer-- wonderful to see you both out!
Kelly and Bill Eagan
Vince and Kim Ing-- be prepared for that Ethiopian dinner
Pete Park-- I said no more!!!! But thank you, you are great and your video was first rate.
Amy Chinn
Shannan Cassel
Leslie Hall
Hannah DeMont
Holly Ghalioungui
Roushonda Morrison
Scotty Heckman- Sorry you couldn't make it but thank you for your generous donation and hysterical card.
Geoff and Leslie Neustadt
Brian Bollow-- can't be sneaky with me!!
Dave Panacchia-- a big thank you for playing and for kindly donating all your tips!!!

And a thank you to my "anonymous" donor and to whomever just dropped in cash!!

And a big thank you to everyone else who came out, bid on wine and was there to support me, ask questions, dance with me and hopefully to learn about this really special organization. I will miss you all this summer!!!!

Pictures will be posted tomorrow--- they are super!!!