As we enter the holiday season, why not look for opportunities to share the work of the Mossy Foot Project with friends and relatives. We have issued a new 2-sided tri-fold brochure that you can access online, print, and use as a tool for telling others about our work.
The impact of podoconiosis (Mossy Foot disease) is far wider than the health issue that presents such a visible need. Hundreds of women have been abandoned by their husbands as a result of their the stigma associated with this disease, leaving them with no means to live and support themselves and their children. Due to a generous donation from Koinonia Christian Fellowship, scores of homes have been built for those in need of housing. Read the story of Tarikwa Doda on our website and see photos.
This evening, August 25th, a team of from Reality Church in Carpinteria is headed off to Ethiopia and will be there through Sept. 7th. Our President, Sharon Daly, is already on the ground finalizing approval of our International NGO status with the government and will be hosting this team as well.
"As we drive into the village, kids start chasing the car (this is totally a normal occurrence). But this was different, I look over and there was even a grown woman chasing the car and then they all start clapping and singing. Mebrat tells us that they are singing “Praise God, Praise God” because they know this car. This is the car from Mossy Foot..."
Last Thursday, we had the privilege of having Clyde Xi, one of our Directors-at-Large, come to visit at our monthly Board of Directors Meeting. Shown in the photo to the left are our founders, Jim and Sharon Daly, along with Clyde, and Bill Osgood, our current Board Chairman.
In the summer of 2007, the Adelseck Family (3 generations) paid a visit to the Mossy Foot Project (www.mossyfoot.com) in Ethiopia. Their slideshow gives a moving overview of their visit highlighting the people of Ethiopia who are afflicted with podoconiosis, those who serve them, and how the Mossy Foot Project affects the lives of all who it is privileged to touch.
Choforo Asefa Gesho is a 75 year old man from Gununo Woreda . Choforo has 8 children. Choforo has passed lots of challenges and bad times in his life times. He was sobbing and full of praise when he was telling his story and what he has passed throughout his life. 
Francis Chan, Crazy Love (David C. Cook, 2008), pp. 148-149
This past March, Gavin Studer, visited the Mossy Foot Project as a part of his endeavor to formulate architectural plans for our new headquarters.
Gavin Studer was a member of the team who visited the Mossy Foot Project with our Officers (Jim and Sharon Daly) in March. You can read his journal and get a glimpse of the trip and the work of Mossy Foot at: http://gavinexploresethiopia.wordpress.com/
Our present 2 vehicles are on the road ALL day on an average of 6 out of every 7 days, servicing patients at our clinics. With road conditions as they are, tires have a very limited lifetime for tires. At a cost of $200 per tire, this comes up to $1600 per quarter for tires.
Anyone out there moved to donate a $200 tire or an $800 set???
As we reported previously, the Ethiopian Government had given the Mossy Foot Treatment and Prevention Association (MFTPA) land for building a new headquarters. Unfortunately, it is not unusual in Africa for undeveloped land to be occupied by squatters and it is common that the land owners be obligated to relocate those pay for relocating those squatters before anything can be done with the land. At first thought, this might seem unfair, but the law is there to protect the poor from unfair treatment
Recently the Ethiopian Government designated a parcel of land to give to The Mossy Foot Project for future development of a campus for administration, treatment, training, and research. Building plans include an Administration Building, a Shoe Making Building, a Vocational Training Center, a Dormitory for those in training, a Kitchen and Dining Building, a Research Building, Guest Quarters and a Garage. The construction will be done in phases as funds become available. The parcel is located in the north section of Soddo, Ethiopia along a main road which goes to the government hospital. At present the government is in the process of reimbursement and relocation of the current tenants on the property. Once this occurs, the property will be available for us to begin construction. The first phase will include a perimeter fence and guardhouse, the Administration Building, a building for Shoe Making and Storage and associated infrastructure. At present, we have raised about 50% of what will be needed to start the initial phase of construction. We look forward to the completion of this blessing with eager excitement!
MF vocational training provides a means for patients to support themselves and their families. Here a barber who also works his farm near Kercheche stops farming and "opens shop" whenever someone needs a haircut.
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