School Project Finished - Visiting members

Yes, we had the wonderful opportunity to visit an elementary school project handover ceremony. 

The children had prepared for the celebration and greeted everyone so cheerfully. 

Our Mission Leaders, President and Sister Cowley also attended. There was a ribbon cutting ceremony and more. What a party!

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints funded the project back in 2022. In this city where about 90% of the population is impoverished, funds are limited for needed school expansions. Our reports said that it was inadequate with many children sitting on the floor of overcrowded rooms. 

This is the School building that was just completed.

They like to paint the walls with education artwork.

This project added one building with 4 classrooms and a new latrine building. 

President Cowley said a few words along with President Efrem.

The Church worked with an NGO, Engage Now Africa that built the buildings. (NGO is an acronym for "Non Govt. Organization" that do humanitarian work.) 

One interesting thing is that Sister Martin knew the NGO Director of Operations - Ethiopia, Diana Bingham, speaking above. They haven't seen each other for about 35 years. They knew each other in Valencia California. 

Following the school hand over, we had lunch at Kuriftu Resort. The restaurant was right on the lake and the resort has water park

Diana fondly remembered Terry's mother and siblings and asked about how they each were doing. 

we visited some members from our University Branch. They travel about 45 minutes to come to church each Sunday by mini bus taxi. The tradition in Ethiopia is to feed guests that enter your home. We were served injera with shiro and tomato stew. Our tummies were extremely full, and we left full of the Spirit and with love. 

Back at the Mission office we ran into an Elder that wanted information on doing Family History research.