A Day of Purpose: 1 Jersey 1 Life

I. OUR MISSION:

On Thursday, November 19th students in both Middle and High School will wear the jersey of their choice in support of the “1 JERSEY 1 LIFE” campaign. Each student that participates would be asked to simply donate 1 KD. The money raised from “1 JERSEY 1 LIFE” will be used for orphans in Ethiopia that cannot afford to attend school or are at-risk of dropping out of school. Through the “1 JERSEY 1 LIFE” campaign, we aim to raise 400 KD in order to educate 6 orphans for an entire year. The cost to educate one orphan is approximately 70 KD for a year—that’s 6 KD a month!

II. WHY “1 JERSEY 1 LIFE” CAMPAIGN:

“1 JERSEY 1 LIFE” is a meaningful initiative to support the education of orphans in Ethiopia. Formal education in Ethiopia is restricted to families that can afford the cost of uniforms,

school materials, and books. For the 150,000 to 600,000 children living and working onthe streets of Ethiopia, obtaining an education is a faint possibility. Here are some quick facts:

• 6 million orphans in Ethiopia

• Over 10 million vulnerable children

• 7.8 million children out of school

• 4 million girls out of school

III. PARTNERSHIP:

The “1 JERSEY 1 LIFE” campaign will be partnering with ALIF, a non-profit organization that provides orphans and vulnerable children with the opportunity to attend school! Specifically, ALIF provides the supplies the following:

• Financial assistance for food, shelter and clothing

• School Uniforms

• School Supplies

• Backpacks

The “1 JERSEY 1 LIFE” campaign is a part of a larger effort by ALIF to educate 56 orphans and vulnerable children in Ethiopia.

Inside a Classroom in Ethiopia

Picture by: Nasir Al-Amin

Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Although the learning environment for students from poor families is inadequate (not enough school supplies or desks, and a class size of 50 to 90 students with one teacher) the student's spirit for learning is evident.

A Public School in Addis

Picture by: Nasir Al-Amin

Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

The following are photos of the outside of a public school in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The conditions in which poor children learn are unacceptable.

Orphans & Vulnerable Children-(Ethiopia)-1

Pictures by: Nasir Al-Amin
Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Click here to see more photos from Day 2 on Facebook!

Orphans & Vulnerable Children-(Ethiopia)-2

Pictures By: Nasir Al-Amin
Location: Addis Ababa Ethiopia

Click here to see more photos on Facebook!

Orphans & Vulnerable Children-(Ethiopia)-3

Pictures by: Nasir Al-Amin
Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Click here to see more pictures on Facebook!

Orphans and Vulnerable Children-(Ethiopia)-4

Picture by: Nasir Al-Amin
Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Click here to view more photos on Facebook!

Maladjusted

"There are some things in our social system to which I am proud to be maladjusted to and to which I suggest that you too ought to be maladjusted." -MLK

This is the home of an impoverished family in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. ALIF works with the family and on this day we went to conduct an interview, yet the home is located next to the toilet for that neighborhood. The small permeated this home and that of the surrounding homes. We were unable to facilitate the interview at the home, as the smell was unbearable. This was one of many concerns for this family.

Together we can create viable opportunities for impoverished women and children!

“I want them to have a good education”

by Nasir Al-Amin

“I’m illiterate…I don’t want my children to live like me. I want them to have a good education.”

In Ethiopia, like other developing countries education is restricted to families that can afford the cost of uniforms, school materials and books. This video highlights one family’s struggle to educate their children due to economic deprivation.

A Father’s Struggle {Video Part 1}

by Nasir Al-Amin (videos)

A Father’s Struggle: “I just want to be able to send her to school.”

Mr. Tekle is a single father of two children and day laborer at a construction site in which he earns 10 Birr (1.08 USD) a day. He lives in an extremely small dwelling with his two children, one of which is 6 year old Bete.

His major difficulties:
(1) Shelter: His home is unsafe to live in, as the roof is very old and leaks, as well as the walls are covered with cardboard—which has proven dangerous in the event of a fire.
(2) Scarcity of Food: “We are not getting enough food.”
(3) School Fees: Tekle can not afford the school cost for both of his children.

Needs/Aspirations:
(1) “I want to renovate my house; I want it to be safe for the children.”
(2) “I need assistance with food and schooling cost for my children.”

Vision:
(1) “I want my children to get a good education.”

Bete’s Vision:
(1) “I want to be a doctor.”

A Father’s Struggle {Video Part 2}