Hope for Lemlem's Daughters

Hope for Lemlem's Daughters

In 2011, our daughter was born in the beautiful countryside of Northern Ethiopia. Her birth mother, Lemlem, died in childbirth leaving behind not only Violet but also her 2 half-sisters. Until two months ago, the only information we had  was their names.

But thanks to the amazing power of modern technology along with the incredible heart and tireless efforts of a lovely man in Ethiopia named Abel, we have learned much, much more.

We have learned enough to be certain that our journey did not end with adopting Violet.

Lemlem's death left her 2 eldest daughters in the care of her aging mother with whom they lived until last summer when their grandmother passed away as well. At that time, the girls were shuffled to an aunt's house whom they had never met. After several months of being "treated unkindly", they decided at 14 and 17 years old to live on their own. So they ran away and traveled back to their grandmother's village where they have now lived alone for over 6 months. They pay for a rented room, food, and other expenses themselves. To earn money, they clean people's clothes and make injera (Ethiopian bread).
They do attend school whenever possible but working causes them to miss often.  
Adulthood is approaching quickly for Mebrat..
What awaits the two of them if no one intercedes is a future I cannot bear to imagine.. 

In a perfect world, none of this would be..
But here we are.
And there they are.
And I don't believe in coincidences.

We received this information on the evening before my dad passed away. Had it arrived one day later, my grief would have taken away from the miracle of this incredible moment.
It's taken me time over the past 2 months to process everything but today, the day before Mother's Day also known as Birth Mother's Day, my heart felt convicted to move forward and not forget those girls for another minute.

There are so many needs in the world and everyone is asking us to care and give for something.
I know..
Many of the needs touch our hearts but it's fleeting because we can ignore what we don't see..  
And we go on with life and somehow forget about "them".

I look at Mebrat and Meseret and see Violet. I look at Violet and see them. I can't pretend to not know.
Truly had circumstances been a little different, Violet would be with her sisters right now.
Alone, without a single soul in the world that even knows about them. With no one to help them.
Until now.

I recently shared this story with a friend. As I was turning over the scenario and stressing over how Stuart and I could afford this on our own, she told me: "Let us be part of this! Summer, if you don't tell anyone about them, then no one can do anything except you guys. Don't keep this for just you. We want to help." Thanks, Ashley btw :)

So I'm sharing now.
I pray that it has touched your heart.

The goal is to pay for their living expenses so they can just study and go to school. We are believing for miracles because our goal is to also give them the rare opportunity to go to college. That will require leaving their village to move to Addis Ababa. And none of this will be inexpensive.  We estimate the total will be  close to $10,000 over the next 6 years. It's definitely a lot cheaper than life and education in the US though :)

I know God is bigger than the dollar amount and He is bigger than any of the obstacles in the way. They're on the other side of the world.. This is crazy...
But Mebrat and Meseret's dreams are bigger than any of those doubts. 


Mebrat is now age 18 and in Grade 11. She enjoys physics and chemistry and hopes to become an engineer one day.
Meseret now age 16 is in Grade 10. She enjoys history and hopes to become a teacher.

Upon receiving our personal letter to them and seeing photos of Violet for the first time, Mebrat said the following:
"I was hopeless the moment I heard our sister went to another country. I thought we will never see her. Now, it is like a dream to see Lemlem’s children finally connected. My sister and I will work hard to change our lives. We feel very strong inside. That is how Lemlem’s children are. I believe this time will change and one day we will be able to help other children who don’t have a family. My dream is to see three of us meet in person."

Please consider joining us in changing these girls lives....
If not us, then who?


Many thanks for your time and consideration.
With love,
Summer, Stuart, and Violet