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Stephanie Gibson, Program Assistant, Ethiopia

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia—This afternoon the families gathered at the Holt Transitional Center in Addis one last time for a blessing ceremony for the children. The nannies took the children one last time and dressed them in traditional Ethiopian garb purchased by the staff as a gift to the children and families. [...]

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Stephanie Gibson Program Assistant, Ethiopia

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia—All our families had their visa interviews today. After entering the U.S. embassy, which felt a lot like walking into a compound, we waited for about an hour for the first family name to be called. Each family was called to a little window where they were sworn in [...]

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Stephanie Gibson, Program Assistant, Ethiopia

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia—What an amazing privilege to watch our families meet their children for the first time. I found it hard not to cry. The infants attach quickly to their new families and adore the attention. While it takes a bit for the toddlers to warm up, I can [...]

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Stephanie Gibson, Program Assistant Ethiopia

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia—I arrived in Addis on Wednesday accompanied by a Holt board member who often travels to assist with medical checkups on children in Holt’s programs. Massi, who was hired to help escort the first of our adoptive families, greeted us at the airport. Those families will begin to arrive [...]

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Brian Campbell, Holt Creative Productions Manager

Durame, Ethiopia—Allow me to introduce you to Holt’s childcare facility in Durame.

I didn’t mention the name of the facility because it was just recently opened, and it hasn’t been named yet. Right now two young girls and two infants are in Holt’s care. This is one of the sweetest [...]

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Brian Campbell, Holt Creative Productions Manager

Durame, Ethiopia— Today, Gary Gamer, Holt President and CEO, and I set out early for the nearby town of Shinshicho–a typical drive for the Holt social workers from our center, 45 minutes to an hour. They normally travel via rented car or even by motorcycle. This is the [...]

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Brian Campbell, Holt Creative Productions Manager

From Addis Ababa to Durame, Ethiopia—Today we traveled a road through nothing like I have seen in the United States. Over 85% of Ethiopia’s population lives in rural areas, and this is where Holt is reaching out to families and children in crisis. Tomorrow, Gary Gamer, Holt’s President [...]

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Brian Campbell, Holt Creative Productions Manager

Addis Ababa—We come to a side of Addis that I have been told about, where stories of crisis and children at risk are spoken of in terms that are hushed and shrouded in shame.

The Marcado district is part market and mostly slum. Dr. Fikru Heramo, MD, Holt’s Ethiopian country [...]

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Brian Campbell, Holt Creative Productions Manager

Addis Ababa—Morning comes with call to prayers that can be heard across town. The call is punctuated by the sounds of birds and the low growl of traffic. Our first full day of moving about the city shows us the real pulse of Addis on a Monday morning. Streets [...]

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Brian Campbell, Holt Creative Productions Manager

Addis Ababa—The road is rough and dust fills my nose as we move from the asphalt to the dirt construction of the expanding roadway. This is Addis Ababa. A bustling city that is growing by leaps and bounds. It is here we first meet up with Dr. Fikru (pronounced, [...]