I would usually fundraise for my birthday, however, Birhanu and his family are in need of urgent help to complete construction to the point of lock-up prior to the rainy season in Ethiopia (mid June).

For those of you who don't know: Birhanu and his family are close family friends, who we meant when I was 10 when visiting Ethiopia. Balin, who was adopted at 11 months old, is from Ethiopia and we have forged a strong friendship and connection with Birhanu and his family over the years, and he has supported us in helping to find and keep communication with Balin's biological family.

Birhanu and his family embarked on a challenge to pay for the design and build of a new home for them in Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia, in 2021. Prior to Covid, they were looking to be able to completely fund the build from savings carefully stowed away for years, and from the income from Birhanu's job.

Covid changed that. Unable to work due to civil war and the tourism industry completely shutting down for several years, Birhanu and his family lost their savings and their income. Vital donations from previous fundraising helped them survive through the pandemic. However, Birhanu's son Kidus, who is wheelchair-bound and unable to attend the local school, still needed a new home; one that he could access from the street, one he could move around without his mother carrying him as he continues to grow into a young man, and sanitary facilities he could safely and accessibly use. In their current living space, he had to be carried up to street level and then down the street to a car in the case of a medical emergency; a wheelchair was not able to be used in his home; and the sanitary facilities were not suitable or appropriate.

Through the generosity of the local and international community, Birhanu and his family were able to embark on building their new home, where their son can live with dignity and in comfort. However, the rising global costs of materials and equipment, and further difficulties arising from civil war and conflict in Ethiopia has meant that the construction has been stalled at a critical phase. The wet season in Ethiopia begins in June, and Birhanu and his family need another $6,000 USD to complete the build to the point of lock-up and being weatherproof. If the construction doesn't reach at minimum lock-up prior to the wet season, the rains will likely cause significant damage and render the building uninhabitable for even longer, causing further cost and a longer displacement for the family.

I am not asking for the entire sum to be raised. However, any donations you can spare will be unendingly appreciated. At a time when cost of living is high for everyone, every cent you can give will make a huge difference to this family, and we will be incredibly grateful for as we know that right now is not the easiest time for anyone financially. Please, if you have any money to spare to help this family be able to close up their home before the wet season, please donate. Every donation counts. Birhanu, his family and I would not be asking for your urgent assistance unless it was very necessary - which unfortunately, it is.

I will be donating a minimum of $200 on the 1st of June before withdrawing fund to send to Birhanu. My family will also donate as much money as they can - unfortunately, our collective funds are limited at this time due to some family responsibilities, hence why we are not able to send the funds ourselves. I will not be fundraising this year for my birthday and will instead volunteer for a day - so this will be the only time this year I will be asking for donations! Donations will be transferred into my bank account, and then sent to Birhanu via international bank transfer, which is the same process as the last fundraisers.

Thank you so much, for your generosity in the past and for anything you give today. Your donations will change lives - and they have already.

Mikayla & Balin