EVENT: Reflections

Reflections, is an event to provide Ethiopians and non-Ethiopians who have just returned from Ethiopia with a venue to share their experiences and images from their trip and outreach efforts with vulnerable populations in Ethiopia. Reflections will be facilitated on Friday, February 23rd from 7PM- 9PM.

Location:
Columbia University’s Teacher College (Room 305)
525 W. 120th St.
New York, NY 10027


Please join ALIF for this event as we hear about the enriching experiences of three individuals who have recently traveled to Ethiopia. This event is sure to be an edifying and insightful affair for all who attend.

Textbook Fundraiser for Black Lion Hospital Dept. of Pediatrics

ALIF is engaging in an initiative to purchase pertinent textbooks for medical students and residents of Black Lion Hospital’s Department of Pediatrics. On Friday, February 23rd ALIF will be hosting a fundraising event at Duke City located in Washington D.C. to secure the funds to purchase the following textbooks: Nelson’s Textbook of Pediatrics 17th edition and Neonatology Textbook

Location:
Duke City
1208 U st NW
(bet: 12st & 13st)

10PM-Until
$10 at the Door

The following is a letter written by Dr. Abdulrahman:

Books for Black Lion Hospital Department of Pediatrics
This initiative is the result of seeing the need for textbooks after doing a rotation as a graduated medical student at Black Lion Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Black Lion Hospital is the only government owned tertiary care center serving not only the heavy populated capital city Addis Ababa, but also persons who walk miles from the rural areas to seek health care. While the hospital is a teaching center, the library holds very few up-to-date textbooks that medical students and residents need to read about their patient’s diseases. Although, there are many issues that need to be addressed to improve health care in Ethiopia, one way to make a difference is to provide newer edition textbooks for medical students and residents. It is my belief that it is important to support the physicians in Ethiopia as they tackle the very difficult task of working with minimal resources. Since my visit in 2004, I have kept in touch with the Dean of Medical School, pediatric residents whom I worked with and medical students that are active in the Ethiopian Medical Student Association (EMSA). They have confirmed what books are desperately needed. I hope that this is the beginning of a life-long collaboration with this teaching hospital in Ethiopia.

Thanks for your support,

Dr Eiman Abdulrahman
Second Year Resident Schneider Children’s Hospital- North Shore Long Island Jewish Hospital

UPDATE: Fundraising Event for Fresh & Green Academy

ALIF would like to thank everyone for his or her support in making Friday’s One School At-A-Time fundraising event for Fresh & Green Academy a success. The proceeds from this event will serve to financially assist the Fresh & Green Academy in paying the schools rent for two months, the purchasing of vital tools to serve potable water to the children, reestablishing the Academy’s internet connection, as well as send one child to school through the Hiwot (Life) Campaign.

Again, ALIF sincerely appreciates your support, and we look forward to seeing you at future events!

New ALIF Initiative: One-School-At-A-Time

One School At-A-Time is an initiative to reach out to children and their families through community-initiated schools that are responding to the needs identified by the community. The aim of this initiative is to link community-based schools to various indigenous and international organizations in an effort to enhance the services and the education these schools provide. The first beneficiary of the One-School At-A-Time initiative is Fresh and Green Academy.

Fresh and Green Academy
Fresh and Green Academy is a kindergarten created 6 years ago by vanguards Ms. Almaze Beyene and Ms. Muday Mitiku who realized the need to educate children that spent most of their day on the streets begging. Located in Yeka Kihe Ketema (woreda 28, kebele 19) the children of Fresh and Green Academy suffer from malnutrition and extreme depravation.

At present Fresh and Green affords 75 kids between the ages of 4 and 9 with the opportunity to access education. The kindergarten receives no government aid, and operates solely by sponsorship of local residents. Currently, only 20 children are sponsored.

On-Going Initiatives:

(1) Potable Water Project
We need to buy the following items in order to provide water to the children at school:

Items: Price USD
1 Stove $312
1 Fridge $282
3 Large Filters $30
Filter refills -
2 Large Pots $37.5
Water Jars $ 3.75
Cups (70 units) -

(2) Library Project
We need to buy the following items in order to create a libraryfor the kids of Fresh and Green Academy:

Items: Price USD
Shelves $300
Folding chairs $8
Folding tables $22.5
File Cabinet $115
TV $288
DVD Already donated! Thanks Kenia Valentin!

(3) Other Efforts:

School Supplies
We are collecting new/used school supply materials to be sent to Fresh & Green Academy.

Toys
We are collecting new/used toys to be sent to Fresh & Green Academy.

Clothing
We are collecting new/used adults’ and children’s clothing to be sent to Fresh & Green Academy and their community.

Contact Gabi Dias at gabidias@allianceinvestment.org in order to send your new or used school supplies, toys, and children/adults clothing to our children and the community of Fresh & Green Academy!

We also accept financial contributions for all of the aforementioned efforts. Checks can be sent to the following address:
Alif Fund
Columbia University Station
P.O. Box 250457
534 West 112 Street
New York, NY 10025

Pleased indicate in the memo section of the check the particular initiative you would like your contribution to be directed towards!