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August's HOT Finances & Donation | Humble, Open & Transparent

8/15/2018

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YUUUP you heard it! Dear Ethiopia is adopting Transformation Church's motto being HOT, which has been defined as
Humble (& Honest), Open, & Transparent!
This means that EVERY month, we will posting how much money is collected every month and how every nickel, dime, and penny is being  spent! Below is August's expenses and detailed notes.

August's Expenses & Budget

Date Sent: 8/6/2018
Receiver: Nigist (Counselor)
Amount: $300.00usd = $8,185 Ethiopian Birr
 *An additional $5 was added for transfer fees

Breakdown of Budget in Ethiopian Birr
  • 3 girls x 40 birr (p/meal) x 20 weekdays = $2400 birr
  • Classroom Cookies & Snack = $500 birr
  • Tutor's Salary ($50USD) = $1,385 birr
  • Counselor's Salary ($50USD) = $1,385 birr
  • Emabet's Rent = $650 birr
  • Mekdes' Rent & Daughter's School Fees = $735 birr
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Total Expenses = $7,055 Birr
​Savings = $1,130 Birr

* Nigist has to be reimbursed from last month where she had to cover lunch for the girls. This reimbursement will be taken from the "savings" & the figure hasn't been reflected in this post.

T H A N K    Y O U 

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Thank you to those who have donated in any form or fashion! As you can see a little goes along way! We'd LOVE to offer this opportunity to other girls that are affected by Human Trafficking in Debre Zeyit, and we will once we've secured a consist monthly donation that can support an additional girl's daily lunch ( <$1.50 a meal) and her transportation cost (if needed).
​If you like to donate please hit the button below.
Donate Here
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Guess who had a Baby...?

6/27/2018

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Yuuuup thats right! Emabet has given birth to another beautiful baby girl named Meheret! Bereket is now a big sister!!!

They are doing really well as you can see in the photos these donations really go a long way! I can't wait to expand reach more families! By God grace we will be there soon! Stay in touch for Bereket's update this week as well!
After School Program
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THANKS BASHIA FOR OUR LEAPFROG

7/8/2017

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Just ordered a couple of these super inexpensive @leapfrogofficial for these two cuties in #ProjectME, curtesy of @bashiamarion’s donations! They are gonna flip out & it will help with their English practice!
Bashia is also featured as a TOP Donor on our website which you can see here: http://www.dearethiopia.org/top-donors.htmlThank you for your donations you’ve been contributing for years now 😘. It’s going a long way!
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Mekdes & Emabet

5/21/2016

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I AM SOOOOO EXCITED! Yo! …..YO!
Lol. I’ve been quiet on the blog for some ime now, but I’ve been moving like a thunderstorm! Man……. yall aint even ready.
So for Dear Ethiopia, we are focusing on two women and their families. Mekdes & Emabet. In case you forgot their sunshine faces, here they are:
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I feel like there an overwhelming amount of opportunities that Dear Ethiopia is moving towards thanks to God.
So for now, WE, yes WE (I’ll explain my team in a bit) are focusing on two families and later down the line we will be expanding.
I am not sure when the next time I’ll be in Ethiopia but the vast majority of donations will be catered to be meeting the needs of these two lovelies and their beautiful baby girls! I also have a goal of sending more 60lb of donations, if God wills more than 100lb on my next trip.
I also want bless my team that VOLUNTEERING their help, and working very diligently!
Nigist T, Counselor & Advisor:
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Her name means Queen, and honestly that what she truly is. She lovely wife and a wonderful mother of 6 (3 girls, 3 boys aging from preteen-late twenties) and has tremendously help me since I left Ethiopia. I send her blessings every month and she takes it to me meet the girls and advises them how to budget their money as well as any other spiritual, mental, and physical health guidance needed for their families. Let me tell you this woman has sown in tears and prays like a BEAST! Her heart has truly been captured by God, and is goals ha. I have never seen or even heard of her doing ill, or turning away someone in need. She opens her house and puts her heart in it! I want to bless her and her family so if you have any ideas let me know! I was thinking some sending her and Birhanu (husband) to a retreat or a vacation for a couple days! :) and much more of course. She and her husband also need glasses, so let me know if yall have the hook up on glasses lol i have the prescription written.​

Next we have the gorgeous……..
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Nardos B,
Man I love this girl! She has also been my my right hand and also happens to be Nigit’s fourth child. She has been helping with planning, setting up goals, and strategies minamin. I could also write a novel on these two loves but I’ll save that for later. ha but she wears an XS & S if you feel lead to buy her clothes. Although this family is volunteering helping, they are not in the upperclass and living extravagant lifestyles in Ethiopia. They are doing what God has lead them to do!
​
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I am so excited to see how this is Going. Ciao….For now.
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BEREKT TSION GETACHEW

4/11/2016

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Nickname: Mita, Mitmita 
Age: 7
Mom: Emabet Getachew
Favorite Food: Shiro & Pasta
Favorite Drink: Mirinda & Coca
Favorite Color: Pink
God Mom: ME :D
Fun Facts: Only child, placed #6 in BCI ranking for KG classes, Loves electronics, loves writing/coloring. She was born in Addis  & loves to help with cooking and making coffee. 
Unique Fact: Initially Bereket wasn't named when she was born. Someone else named her Bereket meaning blessing. & I chose her middle name of Tsion, meaning Zion. I’ve been praying about her name for a while and then Lauryn Hill hit me with Zion ha (just being real). But its perfect.
& Now lets look at her progression:
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Look at that beautiful face!
​Special thanks to BCI, My Uncle Charles Henry, and Nigisti for making things possible.
Dear Ethiopia this is Bereket Tsion Getachew.
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Happy Birthday Bereket Konjo <3

2/8/2016

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* Mita's surprise party on 08.07.2015 *
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Your Help is Needed!

11/19/2015

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Meet the unfiltered, unadulterated, absolute, uncontaminated truth. This is Emabet, Bereket’s mother. I met her last year when her and her daughter stole my heart. This summer I was able to spend many days with them. Going to trips to the city, staying in cheap motels, enjoying the Blaze Christian Conference. She was a part of a “non” for profit “christian” organization that was supposed to support her by providing her basic needs.  BUT that wasnt the truth. This summer she was dropped from the program they day rent was due, and I did what I could to support her in the mean time. I only had enough to pay for August and September rent and thankfully found and anonymous donor that will be covering the rest of the months starting Nov 1st. Unfortunately that left a gap for the month of OCT and since she has a mouth to feed and no skills her option was to turn back into prostitution. This photo was taken Nov 17th, 2015 (two days ago). She was beaten by one of her John. Praise God now, she has her future covered in expenses and part of her agreement is to go to a counselor that I lived with for part of the summer. Unfortunately this isnt the case for some of the other women I worked with this summer coming out of prostitution. Some of their businesses are failing. Some find it difficult to work while having an infant. There are 8 women who need a total of $150 to cover the cost of food, child care cost (one month 4 babies), water, and rent. Would you consider donating? gofundme.com/dearethiopia or click the link in my bio and hit the “donate” tab for other options. Thank you!

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Tight Braids and Unknotted Prayers: Who, Whats, & Why’s.

6/30/2015

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“Lord Whhhhhhhy are my braids so tight”

​…I woke up around 3 or 4 something this morning with this thought. I just got my hair braided last night, and started waking up complaining. Then I thought, maybe there is a reason for me to be up besides my over sensitive scalp being stretched in every direction.
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*Eyebrows on fleek, Edges laid!* *Home girl in the background yes YAAAAS YOU BET-TA. SHE FINNA, SHE FINNA!*

​*Gets back to serious accordance*

This reminded me of my last year’s trip, when I was awaken by the mosque’s call to prayer at like 5am and I was like “Lord what is he even saying, hitting not one note or pitch this early in the morning.” Then God said pray. So I began pray, “just words escaping his mouth, and the sound waves fill this area Lord flood Your Holy Spirit in this place! Let ever ear hear sound of sweet Word and let not the praises of men or the things of this world be pleasing anymore! During this time of Ramadan, of their praying & fasting, let this be an undeniable encounter with you Jesus! Please let there be visions of Your ways and revelations of who You are! Holy Spirit fall down like fire and consume and baptize this land, and everyone who posses it.”….etc And every time I was awaken by the mosque (or the dumb little birds who would fly into my window scaring me half the death) I would do so.

Then I decided to listen to Pastor Brian’s message of “Leading like Jesus” for the Umpteenth time… This is another timely message and I invite you all to listen or download by clicking HERE.
While I was listening to it I couldn’t help but think of my little baby!
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As of lately there has been a lil trouble being stirred up (by little I mean a lot). The program that I was in last year (and she is still under) doesn’t like the new program I am in now, and is really upset with me spending time with people in their program including her. So I can see that they are really going to try to cut off all of our contact..its already been really difficult sneaking around, I haven’t seen her in well over a week. They found out through a Video that I posted (I think it was the one where we went to Go-Karting :P ). So from now on I have to be reeeeeeally discrete and I’m thinking about putting a password on my blog for access (which will be simple and free to give out, just message me if I do!).
So I began to really worry about what the future would look like. Like how am I going to spend time with her? Our time is already limited, they have a lot of power, what if they manipulate it and do something crazy..like take away all their support? What does this mean? Why are they even tripping…they know my heart, and at the end of the day aren’t we supposed to be serving the same God! 
Then I started thinking about the whhhyyys. Not the cool curious ones, but the condescending ones. Like the questions people would would ask. Like why was I so invested in her and her mom. How and why did I started this relationship. lol and the only response as a cop-out I could say was “The Holy Spirit”, because thats the only thing that makes sense. Even while I’m here, same questions just different accents. Sometimes I get stares and hard looks when we are out. I wonder if people know about her past lifestyle of prostitution, or if it because of the difference of our socioeconomic status. Or they think that I should just give up on her. Like for what? Let us live! lol Just one of the annoying prices. 
Dont get me wrong, Emabet can be very stubborn and Bereket is a cry baby and acts up when she is sleepy. So its not all rainbows and butterflies
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​I can’t answer WHY God put this in my heart, but I cannot deny that He did. And what little information I have, with little room I have to move, day by day God opens my heart and reveals Himself through our bonding time. One thing I am being taught is unconditional love (which is a never ending subject). Some of those close to me know, that on my birthday I found out that Emabet was kicked out of her rental place because of lack of payment by the org and went back into prostitution. I tried not to, but I cried. Not because of “the sin” necessarily, but what this really meant. 1) an organization whom I greatly sowed into was manipulating funds without concern for them (and probably others in the program). 2) that after being in the program for this long her heart truly has not changed. She is still the same. That this $$ support is greatly needed and beautiful, when its there, but that cannot be the final step. She needs counseling, and most important a fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit. Not the old anointing from her childhood. I am looking for a Christian counselor that is from Hadiya, and speaks the language because Emabet’s Amharic is horrible. So if anyone knows any please contact me. But I love them and I love to give to these two who can never “repay” me in the world’s sense. Honestly, truth is I get so much reward in those smiles, and uncontainable laughter. And all things come together for His goodness…right? Not for the sake of gaining “cool points” in heaven another or rubies in my crown or so…or even for my "christian social circle". But for the sake of love in His name sake! 

Well… by the time I finished these thoughts and hearing pastor Brian say “I’m almost finished” another time HA. There it was. Islamic/Arabic reading of the Qu’ran filling the the city… and I began again to pray for our community “…just words escaping his mouth, and the sound waves fill this area Lord flood Your Holy Spirit in this place! Let ever ear hear sound of sweet Word and let not the praises of men or the things of this world be pleasing anymore!….

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Welp I dont know how this is all going to play out. Especially with the org not to happy with me right now. Ha maybe we will reach some type of agreement, maybe God will move on their hearts, or maybe it will be difficult. God only knows. But what I do know, the last time wasn’t the last time I am going to see them. Because God isn’t finished with the work He is doing in them, and in the work He is completing in me. And I don’t serve a God of incomplete. Amen. 

Here are some more photos of my lil baby. :D

^ YUP THAT MY BEST FRIEND, THAT MY BEST FRIEND! SHE FINNA!
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Please keep us in prayer, every little word counts! Thanks, we Love you!!!

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Fun Time in the Sunshine

5/29/2015

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Here is another much needed update! I’ve really been enjoying spending time with the women in the house! its encouraging to see God have such a huge impact on each and every one of these lives! Today I was playing jump rope and Belaynesh is soo good! Ha…the others could use some work :) I will introduce you all to them later with a separate DE post and a brief story about them.
Last week I took their girls, and Emabet & Mita out for go-carting…and lets just say me and Mekdes had more fun driving them around then they did!
I beat her every time btw(:
Then after that we had some delicious ice cream, which was even better than orange leaf :P and then I took Emabet & Bereket to get some dinner, and have a serious talk about what she wants for their future. But of course Mita had to show me her moves as we waited for our food.
She Jammin huh? Ha, After they settled down we talked and Emabet is sooo discouraged! Ahh it broke my heart. She is just sooo used to existing, She has no hope, no dreams, nothing to look forward to, and she is completely fine/used to it. So pleeeeease pray for restoration!! And fulfillment of the Holy Spirit! I asked her to pray over the food even, and she said she couldn’t do it :’(  But I am having faith in God that He will make her whole again! Will you join me in prayer? 
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Emabet & Bereket

3/3/2015

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Aweeeeeee look at them!!! Arent they just so cute! Ha
Well….over the weekend I ask Mekdes to take Emabet & Bereket out to eat at one of the restaurants we all used to go to (Rosemary) just to check on them and see how they are doing. ​
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It really looks like they enjoyed themselves.
but PAUSE.
Can we zoom IN on how GROWN my baby has gotten. Oh. Em. Gee

Look at that little face! Her little baby face is melting away! Annnnnd her haaaaaaaaaair! Its long enough to be braided!

Ha well after they ate and caught up, Bereket begged her to take her to the Juice House (Mercy Juice House, I took them the day before I left)! Man I am so happy she remembers!! I gotta be sure to take her there once I land.
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She told Mekdes she goes around telling people “I have two moms, Emabet and Camilla”. Aweee my heart melted!
Here is a few more photos of yene konjo.
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Sooooo beautiful! I miss them! May 14th cant come any sooner!.

​

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Growth Spurt

3/1/2015

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Oh. My. Freaking. Gosh. Look how big my baby got. 😳. She is grown in a matter of months. What is this? 😱 Who told her she could just go & grow on her own? 😩😭😍😘 I don’t approve of this nonsense! 😤😂😩
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I MISS BEREKET & EMABET!!!!

11/26/2014

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First Day I Met Bereket | First Day at BCI

10/26/2014

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​Awe, This was the first day that I met Bereket, actually this was my first day at BCI! & Come to think of it, she was the first child I held. I remember I was walking towards her classroom and she seen me through the doorway and she just stop, then she shifted her weight to one of her hips and looked me up and down. As she analyzed me I stopped, hoping this unfamiliar face wouldn’t startle this tiny little girl. I thought she was a was like 3. Then all of a sudden she came running and laughing towards me with her arms wide open!  
I was like AWEEEE:
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I scooped her up & we took a couple “usies”! & We’ve been kicking it ever since!
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Park Trips

10/25/2014

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A couple times we were able to take a few cuties to the zoo themed park & then out to lunch! It was really fun, but one thing Ethiopia can use more of is parks! I only seen like two`the whole time I was there. And they weren’t free.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/76156199@N02/

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A Child Who Had No Name

10/20/2014

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Finally Jesus! After 29321390214191 hours and a billion times trying to upload, here is Chapter One of “A Child Who Had No Name”.
I’ve been working on this for daaaaaays! S/o to Nati, Ruth & Jalane for looking over & translations!
In case you missed the trailer: http://vimeo.com/102977389
Hope you enjoy! Again this is just Chapter One…only the beginning! The next chapter will focus more on the Holy Ghost & how He moved! 
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Guess Who I talk to!

10/16/2014

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YES! These two cuties! Very early morning on Saturday I was able to talk to Emabet & Bereket! They are doing really great, enjoying Ethiopia. ​
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It was so great being able to see them (video calling) and hearing their voices. I missed them so much!!!
I asked Bereket is she still mad at me because I left, and she quickly responded “YES!” *also made sassy face*, but then quickly I got over it when I told her about the dress I got her. Emabet seems to be feeling it to, broke my heart when she said “You’ve been gone for two years! When you came, you brought excitement into my life. Now that you left its boring…..After you left I cried a lot”.
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​Yea….by that point I almost broke down…
BUT the exciting news is I will able to talk to them again this weekend! Hopefully I can talk to them on a regular basis, I miss them! My work doesn’t stop because my internship is over.
I am trying to work on a few things for them….so stay tuned(:
Here is some more photos from our date night:
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DAY OF THE GIRL

10/11/2014

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In celebration of international #dayofthegirl, I would like to honor this little beauty Bereket and her gorgeous mother Emabet. Although our time seemed 6 weeks too short, everyday was wonderful! As I am going through this rough time Every time I either pray, go through pictures, or even simply just thinking about them it restores my joy. ☺️ Who knew this tiny little five year old, with a fire ball personality would change my life! With that being said, Bereket you give me & remind me of Hope! I love you 😘 & you’re my inspiration.😍 God willing 🙏 we will be reunited soon, although It was awesome being able to see yall faces & talk this morning! 😭 miiiss you. 😢☺️😘😍😉☺️😊😚😝😛💚💛❤️
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Adding Jewels to a Crown

10/4/2014

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Bereket Getting her Ears Pierced! from CamilleJael on Vimeo.

Full Video of princess getting her ears pierced and taking it G status! Go Bereket!
“The day I took Emabet & Bereket to get some extra bling! Lol Bereket wanted her ears pierced soooo bad so we went and got them done…. And look how she took it! just like a straight up G! See that lil smile after it went through? Thats my baby!”
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Dear  Ethiopia..... this is JOY

8/30/2014

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​Yo. 😄 Just look at that JOY! 💕Lol that day we did each other’s nails💅 (pink of course), 💋 got Bereket a new outfit👗, took her to get her ears pierced✨, bought her mom a ring💍, then we went out for dinner😋 and came back to watch the Lion King 😸👑. 💃 Literally the best girls night I’ve ever had! 😝#genuinejoy 👭 #mygirlies #ethiopia 😍
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Dear Ethiopia.... A Child Who Had No Name Trailer

8/9/2014

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Hello Konjits! How are you? I have an EXCITING update! Here is trailer to my mini documentary of little Bereket & Emabet’s life story called “A Child Who Had No Name”! Again this is a trailer, I am still working on the documentary so please stay tuned for that! Hope you Enjoy, from A Dear Ethiopia Films! Thanks! ​
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My First Home Visit

6/19/2014

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Hey guys! Long time no see! We have sooooo much to ketch up on, but I’ve been at the academy for almost a week (6 days & Ethiopia a total of 26 days) and I had my very first home visit today! 

Debre Zeyit is TOTALLY different from Addis! Its a lot more chill, and a lot less people! I haven’t gone too far from the guest house & school for exploring, but I haven’t seen any beggars, and guys don’t CONSISTENTLY whistle & hit on you.

Anyways, this morning I had my first home visit!!! And of course it was my favorite…..
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BEREKET! Lol I LOVE HER, She is my FAVORITE!!!! (Shhhh). She is the cutest, tiniest little four year old ever!
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During the home visit, we talked to her mom and checked in how she is doing. Making sure she has a good appetite, and maintaining a balanced nutritious diet! Unfortunately she had to miss school yesterday because of stomach issues, but we were able to pinpoint the cause, which was unclean water. The family ran out of filtered water, but she was all smiles today :)
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Also, I was able to bless her with a bunch of clothes as well…and of course everyone’s favorite….BUBBLE GUM. Lol she loved it! and kept going through all the clothes!
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Here are few photos Bereket & her beautiful mother!

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A special shout out to Juanita, Kalome & Kailaya Montgomery for donating a HUGE portion of clothes. Also Smash Beauty (Ash-lee Jackson) with #AskSeekKnock, for donating the “Psalm 139:14, I Am Not A Mistake” T-shirts.
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P.s I just finished editing a video of my first week at BCI, I should be posting tomorrow if time & wifi permits! :) lol stay tuned.
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    Author

    Hey beauties, its Camille(: 26, The Ohio State Alumna. 
    I LOVE coffee, and chocolate (esp when they are together). I you liked to know more about me simply click here.

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