January Meeting Follow-up "No me without You"

The St Paul Social justice Committee met Saturday, January 27th and discussed The upcoming legislative session in Oregon and considered the issue of US sanctioned tourture and of a deserving program in Africa.

Marilyn Hall presented a request for support for a project in Africa that she became aware of after reading the book "There Is No Me Without You: One Woman's Odyssey to Rescue Africa's Children" by Melissa Fay Greene - Also see: http://www.thereisnomewithoutyou.com/ The book and website tell the story of Haregewoin Teferra who founded Atetegeb Worku Memorial Orphans Support Association in 2001 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

It's registered under the Federal Ministry of Justice. Its mission is to house and support children orphaned by AIDS, both HIV-positive and HIV-negative; to provide food, clothing, education, and medical care to the children; to reunite children with surviving family members whenever possible; to seek new family situations if necessary through licensed inter-country adoption agencies from North America and Europe; and to promote employment among adults living with AIDS.

Today the association operates two houses in Addis Ababa. Older and healthy children attend neighborhood schools. Children too young or in too-fragile health to leave home for school attend school within the compound, complete with school uniforms, classrooms, and teachers. Support is given to HIV-positive young women and widows to assist them in finding food, housing, and work.