Haregewoin Teferra 1946 (est.) - 2009

I just read the very sad news that Ms Teferra has passed away. This is the woman we mentioned very early on in our blog; the subject of There is No Me Without You. She was a wonderful force and someone we were very much looking forward to meeting when we travel to Ethiopia. Words can't explain how she and her work will be missed. Our hearts go out to the children in her home.


I pulled the below from Melissa Fay Greene's blog (the author of There is No Me Without You).


Dear Friends,


By now you may have learned the shocking news that Mrs. Haregewoin Teferra has died suddenly after a short illness. We don't know what caused her death; she felt sick for a couple of days, went to the doctor, came home without a diagnosis, felt sick again, laid down, and that was the end.


Soon I will post a blog containing beautiful, loving, compassionate messages pouring in in tribute.


Many of you kindly are asking what you could do in her memory.

Let me tell you what I will do, and each of you can follow your hearts.A few weeks ago, Worldwide Orphans--the New York-based organization that has provided pediatric care to Haregewoin's children for many years--assumed responsibility and custody of her 42 HIV-positive kids. To cover food, healthcare and medicine, education, clothing, and caregivers will cost an estimated $4600/year per child. I plan to do what I can to support these children; they are precious, bright, full of fun and hope. With continued state-of-the-art medical care and excellent nutrition and nurturing, they can have bright futures. They can grow up healthy, go to college, have careers.

If you'd like to join me in that campagin, online contributions can be made at https://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2669/shop/custom.jsp?donate_page_KEY=2749
Checks may be sent to: WWO511 Valley StreetMaplewood, New Jersey 07040
Other HIV-negative children, many of them babies and toddlers, remain at Atetegeb, Haregewoin's foster home; their caregivers have stayed on; and the Atetegeb board is looking to their well-being. As soon as I know how help can be offered to these little ones, I will post that here.

Haregewoin lived with these children seven days a week, 24 hours a day, for ten years. She is irreplaceable. The youngest children, of course, have no idea what has just happened. Please let us work together to act as foster parents in absentia for them and to provide financial sustenance to the adults on the ground in Addis during this transitional time. Thank you in advance for any amount you can give.


Sincerely,
Melissa