WAKE UP CALL
By Dr. Ashenafi Waktola
www.gap-a.org
Date:

“In a hall that has seen parties of all sorts, a different kind of gathering ascended. The occasion was organized to support the internationally-recognized HAPCSO. The wake-up call came from  the founder, Sister Tibebe Maco, who filled the minds and hearts in the audience with the day to day challenges of HIV/AIDS care for the poorest communities who rarely get reached, regardless of how much money foreign donors pledge or give. She eloquently stressed that all caring people should be directly involved in the fight and that our survival depends on those who live in rich courtiers who can and should mobilize resources. Friends of HAPCSO thus set a huge example of how a small yet dedicated group can link the efforts of visionaries back in Africa with those who have better resources here (US) and elsewhere.

”Montgomery Blair High School ETHIOPIAN Student Association

Montgomery Blair High School ESA was founded in 1997 for the sole purpose of helping orphans whose life was affected by AIDS. Since the club was founded, there have been several good things that we wanted to do but were unable to do because of the lack of resources. Blair ESA 2005-2006 has made a connection with HAPCSO and donated $3000 to them at their last fundraising event. We are glad to be affiliated with this organization, because we know where we send our money is reliable and directly to the children for their needs. Our club would like to thank the Friends of HAPCSO president Abeba Wossen for all of her cooperation, updates and time she has spent working with us.

In this school year our club is trying to progress by expanding the membership, promoting Ethiopian pride and raising money. We have three main goals for this year; two of them have already been accomplished. Selling T-shirts and putting together a  fund raising event for HAPCSO (Aieda Hopkins was our guest speaker, representing HAPCSO at that  event) our events also included three other High School ESA’s Albert Einstein, Spring Brook, and High Point High School. Our last and big plan is preparing for second annual Ethio-Night show held on May 29, 2006. The main purpose of the Ethio-night show is to present and reflect our culture to our people, to the international community located in this area, and to raise funds. In our show we present different cultural dances, dramas, poems, and speeches by famous Ethiopians (last year’s event is how we could help donate funds to HAPCSO).

Blair ETHIOPIAN CLUB OFFICERS

SPONSOR- Mr. CAMPBELL

PRESIDENT- ANWAR AHMED

V/ PRESIDENT-NEWAY WOLDE

SECRETARY-MERON BOGALE

TREASURER-BLEN KABATA