the amazing Yared (liora+ william)

well i guess i will start this post with a WOW! we have just met with Yared- who was opperated in Israel in 1999. he feels great now. he told how of a life changing experience it was for him.

Where to begin. let's see, he remembers Israel fondly. He remembers the hospital and the surgeon who operated on him. It was actually the founder of the save a child's heart organization (Ami Cohen). He remembers the nurses and the staff. He also remembers how to count to 10 in hebrew (which was paralleled by Liora's counting to 10 in Amharic...a beautiful connection)

He had a mitral valve replaced and has since felt that he has his life back. He has sworn his loyalty to SACH and is willing to anything for the organization. Today he has his own school (St Yared's). His philosophy is that in order to treat poverty in Ethiopia, people need an education first. He takes orphans and street children. He was once one himself. He has no family and is dedicated to his cause. He always is looking for donations. He actually received a full scholarship to study somewhere in Texas but turned it down because he was too afraid to leave Ethiopia and not return.

His school takes children up to 8yrs of age (88 in total). He provides for them food as well as school supplies and even shoes. Every cent that he receives goes towards his school. He is working on getting and NGO license which will make everything easier for him. the children walk about 2 hours each way in order to reach his school so a few months ago he bought a van and can now offer a ride to them. They teach both in English and Amharic because once they finish 7th greade the formal schooling in Ethiopia changes to English and wants the kids to be prepared. He interviews teachers before he accepts them. Right now they have 7 Ethiopian teachers on salary and 3 volunteers (from Australia - living in his home).

once you hear him speek you just become trapped he is so amazing and is such a huge inspiration. i (liora) couldnt stop thinking how can we help him more or mabey we shouldnt even think so far even only how can we help in our own back yard. i guess he is one of the most interesting people i have ever met.

so now we will walk around Addis update later kisses to all
salmno