Tires Have a Short Life In Ethiopia!

How long does a set of tires last in Ethiopia? Jim (President of MF) just told me that our Landcruisers chew up a set of tires every 3-4 months! Roads are extremely rugged in Wolaita, Southern Ethiopia where we operate.

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???

Progress on Headquarters Construction Site

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

Unfortunately, our present acreage has been and still is occupied by tenant farmers.d. Based on Jim and Sharon's recent trip, part of the tenant's house and his outhouse are on the property currently proposed for us. Pastor Zewedie, the pastor for MFTPA, is working on a plan to adjust the boundaries of our proposed site so the farmer can keep his house and outhouse, and we would get more land on another side of the property. If this works, it could mean we could start construction relatively soon, perhaps a few months. Please pray for progress and God's perfect timing and provision for Mossy Foot.

Overview of the Mossy Foot Project

This 10-minute video was made in Ethiopia in 2008, but it gives an excellent overview of what the Mossy Foot Project is all about. MFTPA is the Mossy Foot Treatment and Prevention Association, which is the name of our Mossy Foot NGO (nongovernment organization) in Ethiopia.

Land for New Mossy Foot Headquarters in Soddo, Ethiopia

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!

Mossy Foot Vocational Training

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.

One barber saved his earnings and bought medicine to treat MF patients. In his spare time he would go to their huts and treat them.

It is a common story in to hear of patients who have been helped by the Mossy Foot Project helping newer patients.

Daly's Off to Ethiopia

Today, Jim (President/CEO of the Mossy Foot Project) and Sharon Daly are off for a 2-week visit to our sites in Ethiopia. The weeks will be filled with meetings with staff to discuss and plan for the work of the Project in the year ahead. Also on the agenda will be settling issues in clearing the land that the Ethiopian government has gifted to the project for establishing a permanent future headquarters and discussing plans for the initial stages of the construction project.

Jim and Sharon will be joined by staff from the Koinonia Christian Fellowship of Hanford, CA to help plan for a team visit from the church later this year.

Please pray for the Daly's health and safety as well as very productive times of meeting during their visit.

Clinic Donation from Carlsbad Community Church

A SPECIAL thanks to Carlsbad Community Church for their gracious gift of $1,200 which will go toward the establishment of another Mossy Foot Clinic site in Ethiopia this year.