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My
name is Aynalem Ali and I am the founder of HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
and the Connecting Communities Coalition. Our efforts to date have
benefited HIV victims both here in Manitoba and in my homeland,
Ethiopia.
It was during my visit to Ethiopia in 2005 that I met a destitute
mother with a five month old child who changed my life. Her plight
made me realize that I needed to lend a helping hand towards
improving the lives of homeless people in Addis Ababá.
The child's mother disappeared during her search for support for
her child, leaving me with her now orphaned baby, and not many
options. I was grateful to find shelter for the child at The Selam
orphanage.
Upon my return to my home in Canada, I began organizing
family and friends to help raise money for the orphanage. In my
heart I knew that that was not enough and that I could do more, so I
hosted a fund raising dinner with the help of my family, friends,
the Central Mosque, and Knox United Church. We managed to raise
$11,000.00 that night. The money we raised for the last five years
has gone towards food, education, medical care, and rent for the
orphanage. To this end I have been involved with the Selam Orphan
Children, Destitute Mothers, and the Aged Association (SOCDMA) since
2005.
On June 12, 2010, I will be hosting a further fund raising
dinner to raise money to purchase the land on which the orphanage
sits. This will ensure that all future monies go directly to the
orphanage instead of a landlord. In order to be even more successful
this year, I am asking for the help of our comunnitythrough the
promotion of this event. I greatly appreciate your consideration of
this worthy cause. I assure you that The SOCDMA Association is
administered by volunteers and volunteers alone. There are no
administration costs. All money we raise goes directly towards
helping the destitute children of Addis Ababa.
With many thanks
and sincere best wishes,
Aynlem Ali
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