A Water Project?

ANSO was totally caught by surprise when John and Genie Murphy of St. Albert, Alberta recently decided to donate $20,000 to the ANSO cause.  After a lengthy discussion about the various needs and opportunities in Ethiopia, John indicated that “while he will leave it totally up to ANSO to use the funds wisely and effectively, his preference would be to see a water project”.  Genie said “Her preference is anything that benefits children, but if we could humour John while helping the children, that would be good”. Wonderful people, both of them.

 

Thank you John and Genie Murphy for your most generous contribution.

 

ANSO has already started looking into various opportunities around developing a significant secure, clean potable water project in the Haro Dibe area of Ethiopia.

 

 

Group Travels to Ethiopia

On April 5^th, eight people (four of whom are Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Grande Prairie, Swan City) will meet in Addis Ababa to begin a twenty day trip to look at various ANSO and Rotary projects around Ethiopia.  Using three Toyota Land Cruisers, the group will travel over 3000 km to visit projects in the communities of Haraqallo, Negele, Fantalle, Teferi Ber and Lalibela.  This will be the seventh annual trip to Ethiopia for ANSO president Chris Andersen, who says “On each trip we learn something new, and we are continually amazed that people with so little work so hard to gain an education and to improve the livelihood of their families. Included in the trip will be projects centered around schools, water cisterns, micro-businesses, animal restocking, student scholarships, container shipments and the Darara Orphanage.

 

Upon their return to Canada the group will be preparing a power point presentation about their experiences and interested persons can contact ANSO for more information or a presentation.

 

 

Now That is a Lot of Goats!

On March 18^th, the Rotary Club of Sherwood Park Centennial presented ANSO with a cheque for $15,000.00, money they raised through their Donate a Goat Campaign.  Needless to say, the money will be used to buy goats for needy families in Ethiopia.  This is the fourth consecutive year that  that the Rotary Club of Sherwood Park Centennial has supported ANSO, and over those four years they have raised enough money to buy over 2500 Goats. 

 

Now that is a lot of goats!

2009 Financial News

During the calendar year 2009, ANSO received a total of $166,000 in financial contributions. Of this amount, $25,000 came from The Wild Rose Foundation and $44,000 Came from Jim and Mary-Helen Boccioletti, with the remaining $97,000 coming from individual donors like yourself.  What a fantastic gift to the people of Ethiopia! ANSO would also recognize the Rotary Club of Sherwood Park Centennial because through their Donate a Goat Program, they raised $25,000 for ANSO in their community.  Isn’t it amazing what can be accomplished when we all put in a little?

 

ANSO would like to thank each and every one of our supporters in 2009, and we look forward to a great year in 2010.

ALBERTA WILD ROSE FOUNDATION GRANT

ANSO was extremely fortunate to get one of the last grants allocated by the ALBERTA WILD ROSE FOUNDATION International Development Program (now known as The CULTURE AND COMMUNITY SPIRIT International Development Program).  This $25,000 grant, which has been used primarily in the areas of micro-business and animal restocking has had a significant impact on the work ANSO was able to do in Ethiopia during 2009. Partially as a result of this funding, the number of micro-businesses ANSO is involved in has reached 125, and the number of households that benefited from animal restocking in 2009 alone has exceeded 100.

A BIG THANK YOU to the CULTURE AND COMMUNITY SPIRIT International Development Program.

A Tractor for the Darara Orphanage

We are delighted to be able to announce that Jim & Mary-Helen Boccioletti and the Grande Prairie Canadian Tire Store have donated $44,000 to ANSO to enable the Darara Orphanage in southern Ethiopia to purchase a tractor and some related equipment.  Purchase of this equipment will go a long way towards enabling the orphanage to become economically self sufficient and it is something they have been working toward for over three years.  This is truly a dream come true for the Darara Orphanage!

Some 2009 Statistics.

From September 30, 2008 to September 30, 2009 ANSO has:

-       Distributed over 1000 goats

-       Awarded 24 oxen

-       Distributed numerous other animals

-       Supported 55 high school and 3 university level students

-       Initiated another 50 micro businesses

-       Provided ongoing training and coaching to the 58 existing micro businesses

-       Carried out a baseline survey of 825 households

-       Started the process of giving some very basic nursing training to 40 traditional health care providers and midwives.

But there is a lot more to be done!