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Hope For Haimanot

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When Hana Alemu “Williams” died in May of 2011, she left behind a grieving family in Ethiopia that raised her from infancy with tender love and care.

Now a member of that family, Hana’s cousin Haimanot, needs your help if she is to survive—and reach her dreams.

Hana’s father died when she was very young. Her mother disappeared. Hana became part of her Uncle Kassaye’s family. Kassaye’s wife was long deceased, so his daughter Haimanot took responsibility for her upbringing.

Poverty led Hana, eventually, to an orphanage. She was adopted by Americans Larry and Carri Williams in the summer of 2008. Less then 3 years later, she died outside their kitchen door. Her adoptive parents were charged with homicide by abuse and are now serving long prison sentences.  You can read more about the trial at the Light of Day Stories website: http://lightofdaystories.com/?s=Hana&submit=Search

A Remembrance of Hana Williams Facebook page is a long established forum for discussion and activity with regard to Hana, her family, and the case against Larry and Carri Williams. https://www.facebook.com/groups/156422897766042/

When Hana died, all of her hopes, dreams, and desires died with her. Now we have a chance to help Haimanot, the young woman who was closer to Hana than anyone.

Haimanot has a recurring tumor in her pituitary gland—located directly behind her eyes—a condition not treatable in Ethiopia. She has been operated on twice for it at Swedish Medical Center in Seattle, but during the course of her life she will need surgery every 5 to 20 years. Without that, she will go blind, and then die.

The two surgeries have stabilized her condition, but the tumor will return as early as 5 years from now.

Haimanot has a plan for how to spend that interim—and you can help. She wants to take advantage of her temporary good health by attending college in America. Her dream is to return to Ethiopia and teach elementary age children. All of this is in reach.

We are raising $43,000 so that Haimanot can attend the Seattle Central Community College Institute of English as well as its College Bridge Program. Full-time annual cost (tuition, books, fees, room, board, supplies, transportation, and medical insurance) is just over $18,000. (Please click on the link here to view the college's breakdown of annual costs: http://www.seattlecentral.edu/international/total-cost-of-attendance.php)  The two year program will cost about $36,000. We are raising $43,000 in total because Haimanot will have other expenses, including airfare.

A 2 year community college education is a vital first step for Haimanot. It opens the door for her to take her life and destiny into her own hands and to gain the tools and financial independence she will need to access surgical care in the future. She is 23 years old and ready to confront the challenges ahead with a strong heart, a generous disposition, and loving memories of Hana.

Please help by giving what you can. No amount is too large or small. Your contribution will honor Hana’s memory and give the young woman who raised her with love and tenderness a chance to live and flourish.
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Donations 

  • chana gudelsky
    • $36
    • 9 yrs
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Organizer

David Guterson
Organizer
Bainbridge Island, WA
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