Meeting Chereka

I have someone I’d like to introduce you to. If you went up to her house, she would walk right out and shake your hand. That’s exactly what she did to me before she even realized I was her sponsor.

Quiet, sweet and affectionate, this is Chereka.

Chereka is five years old and lives in the small town of Jido, Ethiopia with her mom and dad.

I expected to be nervous to meet her, and wondered if it would be awkward.  But she put me right at ease with her warm smile.

We sat and talked through an interpreter, and I learned that she likes to play volleyball for fun and her favorite color is pink, just like Leila’s.

I showed her photos of our family.

She ran her fingers across each one.

As we talked, she sat very close, with her fingers wrapped around my bracelet.  Before leaving home, I had Joe and Leila pick out their favorite colors of embroidery floss so that I could braid and wear them around my wrist.

When Chereka held on, I knew I needed to give it to her.  I told her it was a friendship bracelet, and that I hoped it would make her think of us.

She seemed to like that.

For about a dollar a day, our family can make sure that Chereka gets an education, can get medical attention when she needs it, and have her nutritional needs met.

But what makes me even more happy than that is that because her basic needs are being met, Chereka is able to stay with her mom and dad.  So many kids all over the world are dropped off at orphanages because their parents can’t care for them.  Because of Food for the Hungry, this family will stay intact, and Chereka has a hope and a future.

I feel incredibly blessed to be able to see where our sponsor child lives, give her a hug, and tell her she is loved.

I hope to be able to see her again someday, but until then we will write letters, send pictures, and wear our friendship bracelets.

If you would like to sponsor a child like Chereka, click on the box below.

fhbloggers-Ethiopia

{Photos by David Molnar}

  • Michelle @ Eat Move Balance July 17, 2012 at 4:45 am

    So touching . . . you are making an incredible difference in her life!

    • inspiredrd July 17, 2012 at 2:41 pm

      Thank you Michelle! It’s so easy to sponsor a child, and it makes SUCH a difference in the outcome of their life AND the entire community.

  • Jillian {Her Split Ends} July 17, 2012 at 5:03 am

    Absolutely beautiful

    Cheers
    ~ jillian
    http://www.hersplitends.com

    • inspiredrd July 17, 2012 at 2:41 pm

      Thank you jillian.

  • Stacey July 17, 2012 at 5:32 am

    You giving her that bracelet- oh my gosh, tears over here! I love reading about this trip! Thank you so much for sharing your experiences and beautiful pictures!

    • inspiredrd July 17, 2012 at 2:41 pm

      I can’t stop thinking about it. 🙂

  • John Miller July 17, 2012 at 7:00 am

    That’s so awesome Alysa! What a life-changing experience

    • inspiredrd July 17, 2012 at 2:40 pm

      Thanks John, it really was.

  • Jennifer Upton July 17, 2012 at 8:22 am

    Precious. What a beautiful moment to share.

    • inspiredrd July 17, 2012 at 2:40 pm

      So thankful to have David there to take pics!

  • Toni July 17, 2012 at 9:26 am

    beautiful…

    • inspiredrd July 17, 2012 at 2:40 pm

      Thanks Toni 🙂

  • Leah Segedie July 17, 2012 at 9:28 am

    I teared up when I saw those pictures….and my fingers couldn’t stop. I sponsored a child in Ethiopia too. Thanks for posting!

    • inspiredrd July 17, 2012 at 10:10 am

      LEAH!!! This makes my heart so happy 🙂 Thank you!

  • Amanda Lambrechts (@jolambrechts) July 17, 2012 at 4:34 pm

    This is so precious!! 🙂 What an incredible experience for you!

  • Kathleen @ KatsHealthCorner July 17, 2012 at 9:08 pm

    What a wonderful experience! 🙂

  • Vanessa July 18, 2012 at 7:05 am

    This truly is touching, what an experience it must have been for you! You’ve made a difference in someone’s life and that’s pretty amazing.

  • Gretchen July 18, 2012 at 10:25 am

    What beautiful photos to remember this special meeting!

  • Jessica July 29, 2012 at 12:29 pm

    So beautiful and heartwarming , Alysa. Thank you for being such an eye-opener by sharing this experience.

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