Hello my dear readers. Today, I’d like to introduce you to a little girl. She lives in Ethiopia, and her name is Rediet. We share the same birthday (coming up in just a few weeks days). Whereas I will be turning some number over 40, Rediet will be turning 11. Unlike all the other images on my blog, I did NOT take her photograph below:
But. But I want to.
Though we have never met, my family has known Rediet since she turned eight years old. We were joined as Rediet’s sponsor family through Compassion International. Rediet lives in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with her mother and her brother. Each month we pay for her church-based education and for her basic medical needs. But more importantly, we connect with her through our letters and exchange of pictures. And that is the heart of Compassion’s program. One-to-one child sponsorship and connections. Rediet wakes every morning knowing that there is a family on the other side of the world that believes in her, that prays for her daily, that supports her, and that makes opportunities for her possible. Sometimes just having someone who believes in you, and in your dreams and goals, can make all the difference in your life.
Two weeks ago, I received an opportunity in my email Inbox. A chance to go visit Rediet. In Africa. One week exploring Addis Ababa, the Rift Valley and Metehara, meeting children and their families, exploring their communities, seeing Compassion at work. The opportunity to photograph an area of the world and places that I could not even envision having a chance to do again. I was so stinkin’ excited. But then I saw the price ($4,000) and my elation dropped and disappointment arrived. But, I got to thinking, as I’m prone to do. HOW can I do this?
How?
So, I have decided to run a super crazy holiday special, all with the intent of raising all the money needed for me to travel to Africa in May 2012 to meet Rediet and to explore Ethiopia with Compassion. If you are a prior client, or if you have contacted me thus far about scheduling a holiday session, shortly you will receive an email from me with all the details. I will only have 10 slots available for this crazy special deal, so if you want in, act quickly. All the money will go towards sending me to Africa in May 2012 for one week.
Last week, I received a letter from Rediet and it said, “I hope, I will, if it’s God’s will, see you one day.” I would love to write to her and say YES! You will see me in May! And then I would love to take my cameras to Africa and introduce you to Rediet, her family, her life and her community through my photographs.
Thank you.
xo,
A
P.S. If you’re interested in contributing to my trip to Africa, in seeing Ethiopia and its people through my eyes and my photography, you may send money via Paypal to: aileen {at} aileenreilly {dot} com. And I hope you will know how very much I will appreciate every single cent. It’s all about knowing that there is someone somewhere who believes in you and in your dreams and goals. Thank you dear readers.
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