Eight Weeks. One Big Goal. FEED HOPE
in Shanto, Dale, Borcha & beyond.
We did it! YOU did it!
We exceeded our "Dream Goal"....and raised
$31,284.20
for the children and communities of Shanto and beyond!
Click here to read your stories!
From August 1 to October 1, 2011, FOVC unfolded our biggest project ever. Because the humanitarian crisis in the Horn of Africa has put tremendous pressure on food availability and prices in the villages where we work. Because first the drought, then torrential rains, ruined the crops where we work. Because we're the only NGO in our villages. Because the kids and the communities have come too far to let them lose ground now. We took FEED HOPE to our villages. Our small team traveled to Shanto and beyond on October 15, 2011. Read on to learn more and find out how you can get involved!
Important December, 2011 FEED HOPE Update:
Unbelievably, the death of Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhaf...which occurred in the middle of the FEED HOPE trip... created tremendous danger on the Kenya-Ethiopia border. Our own Dr. Jo courageously flew to Nairobi to work directly with the United Nations in an attempt to navigate the difficulties of food transport. We are overwhelmed and thankful for Jo's knowledge, experience and expertise!
Obviously, the last thing FOVC wanted to do was try to deliver relief supplies across the border, only to have them highjacked--and used--by rebels on the border. Thank you, Dr. Jo!
In spite of the border crisis, FEED HOPE successfully purchased and delivered supplies for the villages of Shanto, Dale and Borcha. We delivered enough supplies to last for two to three months.
Dr. Jo will return soon to Ethiopia to finalize delivery and receipt of the remaining relief supplies. Be assured and confident that our FOVC kids, widows, families and communities WILL receive all of the physical help and emotional hope they need to weather this crisis.
Please continue to check this page for updates...
or email FOVC President Lory Howlett with questions.
Obviously, the last thing FOVC wanted to do was try to deliver relief supplies across the border, only to have them highjacked--and used--by rebels on the border. Thank you, Dr. Jo!
In spite of the border crisis, FEED HOPE successfully purchased and delivered supplies for the villages of Shanto, Dale and Borcha. We delivered enough supplies to last for two to three months.
Dr. Jo will return soon to Ethiopia to finalize delivery and receipt of the remaining relief supplies. Be assured and confident that our FOVC kids, widows, families and communities WILL receive all of the physical help and emotional hope they need to weather this crisis.
Please continue to check this page for updates...
or email FOVC President Lory Howlett with questions.
FOVC's FEED HOPE project
Incredibly, FOVC Board Member and Vice President Dr. Jo Bruce knows the individual in Nairobi, Kenya who manages the relief warehouse that is used by most major NGOs and ministries in Africa. FOVC worked, and continues to work, directly with this supplier to bring food directly to Shanto, Dale and Borcha.
Based on Jo's experience in relief work, we are bringing four months' worth of highly-nutritious, shelf-stable food for the approximately 400 children and family members who are affiliated with FOVC in Shanto, Dale and Borcha. Please click here to see Jo's official Humanitarian Relief Mandate, which lays out the rationale for this project...and, according to Jo, also includes a fair bit of international law and etc. Click here to see our blog posts that lay out the "how" and the "why" and the "who" and the "what"!
(Note: our 80+ sponsored children do, and will continue to, receive plenty of nutritious food. It is the school children and their families and the widows and their children who will receive the majority of this relief.)
Additionally, there are many, many Shanto children who we know...and they know us...who are not involved with FOVC. There will be no NGO, ministry or government help besides FOVC in Shanto, Dale and Borcha. We aimed high with our fund-raising goal because we HOPE to bring FEED HOPE to the village children, too.
To Feed FOVC Children and Families....
Our budget for food, for our FOVC children and families, was $20,800.
(400 people x $13 per month X 4 months = $20,800.)
In addition, we brought many medical supplies.
And finally, part of our mission and close to our hearts was to be able to meet some of the needs outside of FOVC,
in the villages of Shanto, Dale and Borcha.
Thank you for helping us FEED HOPE to our kiddos and their families.
We needed $20,800. Our "Dream Goal" was $30,000.
The good news?
You raised $31,184.20 for our children!
(400 people x $13 per month X 4 months = $20,800.)
In addition, we brought many medical supplies.
And finally, part of our mission and close to our hearts was to be able to meet some of the needs outside of FOVC,
in the villages of Shanto, Dale and Borcha.
Thank you for helping us FEED HOPE to our kiddos and their families.
We needed $20,800. Our "Dream Goal" was $30,000.
The good news?
You raised $31,184.20 for our children!
What Kinds of Food Did We Provide,
and Will We Continue to Provide?
- MREs ("meals ready-to-eat") that include powdered milk, main meal and a cereal bar
- Powdered milk for babies and children
- High-energy cereal bars with five-year shelf life, can be mixed with water for infants
- Mixed nuts
- Mixed seeds
- Multi-vitamins
- Plus, medical care!
- Bulk staple food like teff, maize (corn), pasta, rice, lentils and more!
You Are So Passionate, Committed and Creatvie!
What Did You Do?
Click here to see some of your great--and fun--fundraising ideas!
On Behalf of the FOVC Kids....We love You and We Thank You!
Check the website often -- we'll continue to post new and important info frequently.
This campaign is mostly complete, but FOVC still has work to do.
Keep up-to-date on our blog, too....that's where you'll get the best updates!
Click here to view current news articles about the food & water crisis in Ethiopia!
Find us on Facebook, too!
(As always, all Travel Team trip costs are paid for by team members. All of your donations go directly to purchase food and other necessary supplies for FOVC program participants, and you will receive a tax receipt at the end of the year.)
