Hello - and welcome again to “Wellwishers”. We returned safely home last week from what was an emotionally & physically demanding trip – but one which we wouldn’t have missed for all the coffee in Ethiopia! I’m now all charged up and more committed than ever to helping these wonderful, but extremely deprived people, out of the cycle of despair, poverty & early death that they constantly face.

It was an absolute privilege to be in the midst of these proud, caring & very hospitable people who treated us as if we were royalty. It’s difficult to put into words what we felt as they welcomed us into their villages with music, song & dance; their high priests in full regalia plus the best they could offer in terms of a banquet - injera (their staple diet), ‘celebration’ bread with precious local honey & specially ‘home-brewed’ beer. They also gave us hand-crafted gifts they could ill-afford. And it frustrates me that I can’t fully impart the feelings onto you. “You had to be there”!

About 800 people greeted us at the first village visited. Having experienced this type of reception 3 yrs ago didn’t prevent our tears of emotion & joy. It’s a humbling feeling to think that something we take so much for granted is so important to them. Almost the whole village turned out to greet us. It was very, very moving to see such happiness on their faces. We didn’t view their reception as thanks, but more as a show of relief as to how their lives have permanently changed. This well was funded about 3 years ago and the improvement in health was clearly visible.

To give a further example of how your donations are changing these people’s lives, within 2 years of that well’s completion, the villagers have built a 4-room classroom block. Only the roof iron was paid for by the government. All other materials were sourced by the villagers. About 200 children attend this school - no education was available nearby before that time. The floor is made of big rocks & the children sit on logs. The only furniture is a small desk for the teacher & a smallish blackboard. Although the spirit was there, without the well, this school would not exist as the time or community strength to build it was not available. .

Another spin-off is the reduced time spent walking kilometres to clinics for medical care as the health of children has improved markedly, thus saving time – and money.

On this self-funded trip, Marianne & I were accompanied by Robyn, a wonderful travelling companion from Canberra on her first visit to Ethiopia. Robyn fully funded a well 2 years ago, which we all visited. We shared many tears of joy & sorrow during our time in Ethiopia. I will let her tell you of her reaction in her own words:
Like Ross, I find it hard to express the emotional impact and humility generated by the fact that anything up to 1,000 people would have walked miles, carrying everything, to put on such a celebration to thank us for something which to us is so simple and so taken for granted, but to them is like manna from heaven.
At the same time one felt a real bond with these people, who despite their hardships, have the loveliest, softest nature. I came home more determined to try to donate even more largely because I see how much is spent here on things we don’t even need, and yet how much value there is in every dollar spent on a well.

A comment Ethiopians often made was that they were extremely grateful we had to come to visit them. They felt this gave us all some life-long connection on a people-to-people basis, not just another group of donors providing money. We were touched by this comment, as it coincided with our own feelings. It is difficult to articulate but we now feel even more “connected” with the Ethiopian people.

The 3rd village visited did not yet have a well. We were greeted by nearly 1,000 people. The pleading for help in their eyes said it all, as did their apparent lack of good physical health. We were showered with food, drink and small gifts. The contrast between this village and the previous 2 that now have wells, was very obvious – and an explicit reminder of why we all support this programme.

I’ve attached some photos to try to convey a sense of the sights we experienced in our village visits. If you would like to see more photos, please check the following web-site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wellwishers

Another reason for our visit was to re-new contacts & friendships with local NGOs who do our work for us. Without them, this programme wouldn’t happen. They do a great job and have been doing so for over 20 years. Our week-long visit ended with agreement on the number of wells to be built by June 07 (from funds raised in 05/06 FY). I’m pleased to advise we will be funding 25 wells rather than the 22 I suggested in the last Newsletter. This constitutes 20% of all wells to be constructed during this period. So “Wellwishers” - take a bow!!!

We met with Government officials (the Vice President, no less!) and he emphasised the importance of the support we are all giving the people of Tigray. The theme of ordinary Australians funding these wells continually came to the fore. They are amazed and truly grateful that ordinary citizens such as you, are so dedicated to this cause - and the government is very keen that this support continue. Indeed, it is regarded important enough to warrant national media coverage, generating requests for several radio, newsprint & TV interviews, which we happily gave.

So…………as I said earlier, we are more fired up than ever to continue our long term involvement with this project. I will be doubling my efforts in the coming year to raise funds and in doing so. I’m seeking your support. There are many ways you can do this – the following are just a few:

• With Christmas nearly upon us, wherever appropriate, consider donating money in lieu of giving presents. I have prepared Gift Vouchers for this purpose – please send cheque, S.A.E. & relevant details if of interest to you.
• Encourage guests to make donations instead of giving gifts at special parties including 50ths, 60ths, etc.
• Hold functions such as dinner parties (people paying the equivalent of a restaurant meal), morning teas, etc
• Form your own little fundraising group and “do your own thing”
• Talk to groups such as Lions, Rotary, etc to seek their support. I’m always happy to make a presentation
• And most importantly, would you please pass this Newsletter on to your friends who may have some interest, asking them to contact me. Or better still, you could ask them if they’d be happy to be added to the mailing list.

If you would prefer to receive a hard copy of this Newsletter by post rather than by email, that is not a problem. I’d be happy to oblige. It might make it easier to pass it on to friends & family? Just let me know and I’ll attend to it.

As previously announced, our Friend has agreed to again fund all donations in 2006/07 on a 1:1 basis, up to a maximum of $55,000, so let’s take advantage of it!

Finally, a reminder that all donations are to be made out in favour of “AngliCORD” but posted to the address at the top of this Newsletter. This reduces AngliCORD’s administration work (thus maintaining their admin charges to 5%) and ensures we take advantage of the beforementioned 1:1 extra donation. The remaining 95% of funds raised goes to the actual HDW job. There are no pastoral activities related to this project.

Donations of any size are gratefully accepted. All donations are tax deductible.

I hope you’re well and preparing yourself for the rapidly approaching “silly season” for which Marianne & I wish you & yours all the best, and hope that 2007 is a happy & healthy one. On behalf of the wonderful people of Tigray, thank you so much for your support this year.

Kind Regards…………………Ross Allan