Mission: Protecting Baby Bums

Throughout our adoption process, we’ve connected with several other adoptive families through the blog world. They are from all over the U.S., are adopting from various countries, and using various adoption agencies; but all of them share our heart for the orphan. One couple who is with our agency and adopting from Ethiopia recently returned from their first trip to Ethiopia and are responding to a need in a very tangible way. They have a goal to collect and raise funds to purchase 1,000 cloth diapers to take back to Ethiopia with them on their next trip.

Please consider joining us as we help them meet this goal!

How to help:
- If you’re on facebook, please “like” their page called 1,000 Cloth Diapers for Ethiopian Orphans
- Send cloth diapers to: 5018 Lower James Street ~ Montgomery, Alabama 36116
- Send money for diapers (every penny will be spent on the diapers) via PayPal at cemerson@faulkner.edu

Here is a bit more information about their experience: 
While on their trip, they visited a government-run orphanage called Bethzatha Children's Home Association. (NOTE: for those of us with AGCI as our agency, your child lives at a transition home called Hannah’s Hope until you bring him/her home. Hannah’s Hope is very different from an orphanage, so AGCI gives you the opportunity to visit a true orphanage while you’re in Ethiopia.) This couple was particularly overwhelmed with the shortage of supplies—namely, diapers. Since the orphanage has access to running water and even large washing machines, cloth diapers are the perfect solution for them.

Here is the excerpt from their facebook page:
Betsy and I recently returned from our first of two adoption trips to Ethiopia. In addition to meeting our 5 month old daughter, we also met many wonderful people who are helping the orphans in Ethiopia.

Despite their hard work though, some supplies remain desperately short in number. One of the biggest needs is cloth diapers. Some orphan homes were so short that they had to reuse disposable diapers or not use diapers at all. While we can't meet every need, we can supply cloth diapers for these wonderful children.

Will you help us meet our goal of taking back 1,000 cloth diapers to Ethiopia on our next trip? It's very simple: just email me through Facebook if you have extra cloth diapers, want to purchase cloth diapers for the cause, or want to donate money for their purchase.

After I receive your email, we'll send you the very easy instructions for helping out. Every diaper will go to improve the life and health of an orphan in Ethiopia.

Will you join us?

Other AGCI families working toward the same goal:
This family also traveled to Ethiopia and visited Bethzatha Children's Home and documented their experience here. 

This is another family with AGCI who is working toward the same goal--and they are making the cloth diapers to donate.  Click here to see how (looks like a fairly simple pattern using things like fleece blankets and kitchen towels).

What about Team Huss?
Several of you have asked if we will be taking donations to bring to Ethiopia on our trip (thank you—y’all are SO generous!). We recently spoke to our case manager about this and confirmed that yes, we can bring donations that will go to Hannah’s Hope (where Eden is staying). Ongoing needs are related to infant care (diapers, wipes, diaper cream, etc.); however, she noted that the cost of diapers has recently increased in Ethiopia, so she recommended that families focus donations on that.

So, after we help this family reach their goal of 1,000 cloth diapers, we will begin taking donations as well. We're all working together toward the same goal--to protect these little baby bums!