Welcome to our Summer 2021 newsletter. I hope you and your loved ones are keeping well.
In just a few days, on September 11, Ethiopians are leaving behind the most challenging year for our nation and usher in the new year 2014 (yes 2014!) with lots of hope in our hearts. Because of the pandemic, natural disasters and conflicts, 2013 has been a challenging year for everyone in our community. Amid the uncertainties, however, we have also witnessed community, support and hope, thanks to friends like you. As we prepare to celebrate the new year, we want to say thank you for your solidarity and friendship. You enabled us to enable our community. We hope to continue to walk the journey of love together in the years ahead. Thank you and happy new year.

Trustee and Overseas Coordinator

Soul-2-Soul Befriending Project

Of all FICDO's social inclusion projects, the school feeding program is demanding and labor intensive since it requires day-to-day management. Therefore, we consciously decided to give our volunteers a deserved summer break when schools were closed. However, the Soul-2-Soul Befriending project has been active even over the summer. Volunteers continued to visit elderlies for chat and to support them with domestic work. Over the next few days, volunteers will deliver small cash sum and food supplies to these elderlies just in time for the new year.

Back To School Preparation

Schools are going to open in mid-September. Hence it is busy time for FICDO's volunteer leaders, as is for parents. Preparations are underway to get school materials, uniforms and all the essentials to prepare daily meals for the children under our care. We are grateful for our dedicated volunteers and friends who support this valuable project.

Hiring

One of FICDO's key volunteers recently relocated from Fitche town to Addis. Another key volunteer has to scale back his commitments due to health issues. This will have significant impact on our operations. Hence, we are contemplating on hiring one permanent office holder to organise operations and continue delivering services. While hiring a paid staff will undoubtedly pose a resource challenge, we are also hoping that it may very well spur a change in the way we do things. Please pray for us so that we get the right person and the required resources to do this.

Issue 2 of FICDO's Annual Magazine

At FICDO we take reflective practice seriously. Our media coordinator Nuhamin E. Ermias has compiled FICDO's annual magazine (in a form of reflection) marking the organisation's 2nd anniversary. The magazine highlights what we have done together this past year. It also includes an essay (long-read) on "Critical Reflection of FICDO's Community Care" by Ewnetu Ermias, one of FICDO's Trustees and founder. Here is a link if you would like to have a look:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_2i7uaABHwm2ntWXajkcUzFMArezuFKN/view?usp=sharing

Fund Raising Update

As the new year is approaching, we are conscious of the need to kick-start fundraising. We will continue using the same GoFundMe campaign that we created last year if you would like to donate through that. Meanwhile, we are very much grateful to our partners Liffey Valley Vineyard, Dublin and individual supporters for continuing with their monthly supports over the summer. The little we saved from these donations over the summer will be used to purchase school uniforms and food supplies (for the school feeding program) that will last us until the end of December. God's Mercy House (Canada) have also promised us to cover the cost of meals (lunch) for 16 children. We are grateful for your continuous support in our shared journey to enable others.

Highlight of our 2021 Annual Refection Magazine. Contact us for soft or hard copies

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Fikir Integrated Community Development Organisation (FICDO) · 11 Millfield Manor · Moorfield · Newbridge, Co. Kildare W12 HK37 · Ireland