We did it!

REAL's web we have been waiting for is up. The development is still in progress, but we have a place to start.

A Very Special Thank You & Updates for our Sponsors and Friends of REAL...

On Saturday November 12, 2011 from 1:00 - 3:00pm at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd (4801 France Avenue S. Minneapolis, MN 55410).

Please join us for a very special afternoon with a very special guest….our former In-Country Coordinator and current Burayu Kata Mentor will be visiting! She will share about the girls and the difference we are making together.

We are also very excited to bring you updates from other recent visitors and to introduce our new intern Sierra Asamoa-Tutu!

Please join us for all or any part of the event that works for you. We will be serviing coffee and baked goods.

We want to share and celebrate our progress this year, not only with our program but also to share our new Website and get your feedback!

We will also have letters for you and will be happy to receive your letters to go to Ethiopia - and will have some materials available if you would like to write a note while you are there.

As always, we are seeking new board members, volunteers and sponsors… your ideas about how to grow and expand are very welcome!

Please call 612-724-2096 with any questions.

Good News!

Few new exciting news!

1. Sierra, Masters of Social Work student at St. Catherin and St. Thomas, is doing her internship with REAL. She will be the REAL's Programs Coordinator. She started her internship on September 12 and will be with REAL until the end of May.

2. The REAL website we have been waiting for, for sure will be up next week still under construction. We look forward to share!

3. Reports form the nine locations are in. Several girls are graduating and some are joining different universities.

Update

Good News! REAL's New Website is under construction. We will send you the information as soon as it is ready for public use.

We are busy sending out letters for sponsorship & mentor renewals. In spite of the economy, we are pleased with the response we are getting, however, we need more response and new sponsors to join. We are about $6,000 short for this year. The help is needed more than ever before to send more girls to school.

We are expecting end of the school year progress. The In Country Coordinator to visits all the sites to send us update by the end of September. Stay tuned to hear success and progress from all the sites.

Thank you!

Six Annual Spring Celebration

We invite you to join us for REAL's Six Annual Spring Celebration with a motto to Educate a Girl & Transform a Nation. The event will be held on Saturday May 14, 2011 from 5:30-9pm at Augsburg College Christensen Center Dining Hall located at 720 22ndAve So. Minneapolis, MN, 55454. Experience an uplifting of evening of silent & live auction, dancing, music, food and moving stories of girls whose lives is being touched by people who make a difference. Individual reservation $30.00, group of 8 $240.00. Proceeds to Support the Education & Empowerment of Girls in Ethiopia. For reservations/Questions or Donations contact; Ann Jensen-email annjonjenen@yahoo.com, phone 612-825-3287 or Tsehai Wodajo -email twdf2a@yahoo.com phone 612-724-2096 or . Please make check payable to REAL and send it to 1400 East 24th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55404. Looking forward for your response. Sponsored by Augsburg College-Pan African Student Center

Coming up Soon!

I have two exciting news! We are in the process to develop a new website, thanks to the generosity of Nikomis Heights Lutheran Church who has been our big supporter from the beginning. The church gave REAL $10,000 in girls and mentor sponsorship. We say may God continue to bless them.

Our May Spring Celebration is around the coroner. It will be on May 14, 2011 from 5:30-9pm at Augsburg College. Watch for new developments.

Happy Holidays!

It is time of the year to express, LOVE, PEACE & Joy and much more. May you enjoy the season! We at REAL, thank you so much for being part of our initiative to make a difference for one girl or one woman at a time!

I am so overjoyed when I share with you that this week we had our youngest contributer. She came to my house with her mom and dad and her two siblings. Her name is Lottie(Charlotte) just six years old and in 1st grade. I admire her parents for teaching their children the value of making a difference for someone thousands of miles away. She gave $25 which will feed a family of five for a month. Jack is 13, in 8th grade; Lyla is 10, in 4th. The family is sponsoring one girl.

I was also fortunate to meet with few women in a Women Giving Circle to share about REAL and what it does. They are very excited and looking forward to be part of this exciting movement. Be reminded the difference one dollar a day makes.

We have 135 girls, nine mentors and nine locations in Ethiopia. There are six girls who are now attending universities and pursuing their dreams! Please spread the word continue with your support.

You can send your tax deductible gift and support to: REAL, 1400 East 24th Street, Minneapolis, MN. Together we can empower one girl, one woman at a time to dream and have her dream come true. Thank you

Tsehai Wodajo

REAL Executive Director

2010 REAL Site Visit

My visit this year was from September, 19-October 7/2010. It is very exciting to have five girls in University, Most of the girls are doing well in their education, leadership development and self sufficiency. The following are few pictures from my visit. Activity at each site to come soon!