Hi everyone! I’m Bobbi!

 I’ll introduce myself because I’m often found behind the scenes here, at HowDoesShe. I am the manager of this amazing site, and am so pleased to be a part of this fabulous group of women! You might remember a couple of my past posts – Cinnamon Bun Pancakes, Jar of Sunshine, and 10 Travel Tips for Beginners.

Remember me, now? Yay! Great to be re-acquainted!

Today I’m here to reach out. I’m reaching out to YOU – yes, YOU sitting right there. I mean, we’re friends, right?

I need your help! 

I’m reaching out to you on behalf of some pretty great kids I know in Ethiopia, and an organization that has come to their rescue.

 This is a subject that I am very passionate about – I have four children of my own. They are my world, and much of my world revolves around making sure they are well provided for and happy. Imagine not having any means of doing that. Imagine sleeping on the side of a highway, collecting grass or garbage to sell, just to have something to feed your child each day. Imagine having to force your child into working, and out of school, just to survive. It’s a cycle of poverty that would seem never-ending, especially when there are little to no government assistance programs in place to help, no where to turn to for help, nothing to be done. This is reality for many children in Ethiopia, but there are people who have stepped up to help. I want to be one of them! How can I not?

I have decided to give back in a big way and go on a service expedition! BUT, I need YOUR help!

Okay, here is my vision: As many people as possible, donate just $5. That’s it. $5. There are so many of you wonderful readers and friends reading this. I’m talking THOUSANDS. If each one donated just $5, imagine what that would do?! And what if you shared this, or donated a little more? It could literally save a life – or a hundred – or more! I bet you’ve never spent $5 that way, before 😉

Five Reasons to Help:

1. Kids Hope Ethiopia relies heavily on their expedition volunteers for their programs, to serve in a variety of ways and do the real grunt work. These are working expeditions and they make great use of every helping hand.
2. I’m a photographer and plan to donate my photographs to Kids Hope Ethiopia for use in their promotional materials etc. As a non-profit organization, they welcome any and all help and donations, in all their forms. I’m happy to be able to lend my skills in this way.
3. The money actually goes to the kids – this organization prides itself in having small operational costs and at least 80% of donations go towards the children. Amazing! Your donation actually makes a difference – I have seen it first hand.
4. Donations of $20 or more are tax deductible. Bonus! (You will need to provide name, address, and email.)
5. I can’t get there alone. If you have a spare dollar sitting around – that will help me and the children in a huge way.

Click here: DONATE HERE

 I want to tell you a little bit about Kids Hope Ethiopia, or (in Canada) Canadian Humanitarian.

 Canadian Humanitarian  (or Kid’s Hope Ethiopia in the U.S.A.) is a charity dedicated to helping disadvantaged children the world over. They are currently concentrating their efforts in Ethiopia, Uganda, and Malawi. They help hundreds of  vulernable, poverty-stricken children realize their potential in life by supporting them in school with tuition, uniforms, and books and ensuring success in life with a hot meal a day, tutors, medical care, extracurricular clubs, and support for the family at home.  It is amazing to see the ways these kids’ lives are changed.  In a word, this organization gives them HOPE.

In February, my husband had the chance to travel to Ethiopia to visit their centers there, meet the children in person, and see first-hand the kind of work they do. It was life-changing. See that white bald guy in the photo? That’s my hubby – having his life changed forever.

 He was able to be a volunteer, help run the programs, prepare and deliver meals, help sort and hand out donations, and put in some elbow grease into fixing up one of their centers with some handy work. They rely heavily on their expedition volunteers to get much of the “grunt” work done while they are there. It is a great way to help out and give back in a place where there are next to no government programs available for these kids in need.

Besides the physical labor they provide, expedition groups are a huge part of the support to an Education Center, and the HCCN model. General volunteer groups  affirm, by their presence, that the student is important and worthwhile. These volunteers bring love, knowledge, skills and hope to students as they interact together. As volunteers teach or have special activities to share ideas, they allow students the opportunity to see the world in a different way, and to think about or hear about new ways of being. Don’t all children need this in their lives? 

What I love best about Canadian Humanitarian/Kids Hope Ethiopia is that they offer long-term support to these kids and their families. They don’t offer one-time hand outs, then disappear from their lives. They have seen their kids through their childhood and into adulthood where they are graduating from College and starting meaningful careers. That is priceless!

And I need YOUR help to fundraise.

I can’t wait to get over there and help. I plan to also photograph my experiences and will be donating my photographs to their organization, free of charge, for them to use in their marketing/websites/ and events.

I have set up a giving page where I am looking for donations large or small to help me reach my goal. I can’t wait to share my experiences with you all!! If you are willing to help out at all, please click below to visit my giving page:

Or click here: DONATE HERE

Every little bit helps – even if it’s $5 or $50 – it will help me reach my goal. I need $4, 000 to help fund the expedition, however my vision is SO MUCH MORE!

Whatever amount I reach beyond my goal, I will be donating to Kids Hope Ethiopia for them to use in the program that needs it most. Let’s show them our support, shall we?! Can you imagine if the tens of thousands of How Does She readers each donated even $5?! I can only dream of the difference that would make in so many lives. 

If you’d like to get involved another way – you can sponsor a child through them. You can rest assured that at least 80% of the money you donate will go directly to the program the child is registered in and will benefit not only that child, but also their family and community. It gives me such peace of mind knowing that the money is getting where it needs to get. There are currently several children needing sponsors, in every country they are working in, so please consider giving in this very personal way. You can click below for more information on child sponsorship and other ways to give.

 I have never reached out in this way before now.

I have always been able to rely on myself for almost everything. But I need your help now. These kids need your help. I hope that you’ll search inside and see if you have any means to help in even a small way. I know it will mean the world to me, but more importantly – to them. Thanks for your listening ear! I appreciate you!