Life is harsh in the world’s poorest countries. In Ethiopia, where food shortages, access to safe drinking water and periodic famine-like conditions put lives at risk, many children die before reaching the age of 5 and only a small percentage are able to attend school. Yet, high on the plateau of Debre Zeyit, Ethiopia, a non-profit organization aptly named Blessing the Children International is bringing hope for a brighter future.
Since opening their doors in 2008, the BCI Academy has cared for and placed more than 600 orphaned and impoverished children in loving homes. The epicenter of BCI, the Adana Children Center, functions as an orphanage, a school for grades 1 -12, a community center and a foster care program for more than 140 children.
Adana Students Learning English
ATS Acoustics’ CEO, Mark Aardsma, volunteered at the BCI Academy in June 2012. During his two week sojourn, Mark taught an English class, led a training for BCI Academy staff, and visited local villages to see the positive effects BCI is having on surrounding communities.
Lunch Line at Adana Academy
Since returning to the States, Mark continues to influence the lives of BCI’s children through his work with dedicated BCI volunteers. In August, Mark helped send enough donated children’s books to fill an empty library at the Adana Center. Today, thanks to the generous contributions of BCI donors, the gracious efforts of Andy Hudson at Hudson’s Drugs, and Mark’s logistical planning, twenty-three boxes of children’s vitamins are ready to travel to Debre Zeyit. These 550 bottles of supplements will provide the necessary vitamins and minerals vital to a child’s daily well-being.
In regard to his unique experience with Blessing the Children International, Mark reflects, “I saw firsthand the great work they do at BCI, and the incredibly loving staff of people that do it. I’m glad we could do a little bit of logistics to help provide nutrition to these 140 children.”
Mark Aardsma and Hymanot Sisay, an Adana Student
The children’s vitamins are but a small stepping stone towards helping BCI Academy students and other village children have access to a healthier lifestyle. If you would like to help the BCI further improve the life’s of Ethiopia’s children, please visit www.blessingthechildren.com for more information.