AAI Volunteer trip -- Join us in February!!

2012 Short-term Volunteer Trip
2/26/12--3/8/12

Chris Little and Susan Poisson-Dollar, AAI Board President and former AAI Director of Development respectively,  will be leading a short-term volunteer trip to Ethiopia for a maximum of 14 participants.  The dates for this year’s trip are February 26^th – March 8^th, 2012.  Chris and Susan have each visited Ethiopia numerous times and also have significant experience hosting volunteer groups both in the U.S. and Ethiopia.  They enjoy sharing their love for and knowledge of their “adopted” country with new people.   We had a wonderful experience in November of 2010 and you can read more about it at this link.

The land cost for the trip is $1300 and includes airport pick-up in Addis, lodging (single occupancy, discount for sharing), transportation and some meals in Addis as well as a donation to Adoption Advocates International’s humanitarian projects in the country.  Flight costs will depend on the participant’s home city but are currently ranging between $1400-1700 round trip from most parts of the country.  Participants will have the option of joining either of the group leaders on their flights or of arranging one independently.  Depending on the interests of the group, excursions outside of Addis can be arranged and the travel agent we are working with can also help organize add-on tours to other parts of Ethiopia. 

All participants will be expected to get a criminal background check prior to the trip or submit one received in the last two years.  They will also be asked to carry supplies for AAI’s partner orphanages and other nonprofits as well as to make a commitment to do some fundraising prior to or after the trip. A non-refundable deposit of $500 is required by January 15, 2012 to secure a spot on the trip and participants are also required to have health insurance and to purchase a travel insurance plan (generally very inexpensive).  Please contact Susan Poisson-Dollar for more details or to reserve your spot on the trip.   

There will also be opportunities to tutor children, teach English, work at our facility for developmentally-delayed children (Opportunity House), and to experience Ethiopian traditions by visiting typical families.  We may be asked to paint rooms and do other similar projects at partner orphanages.   Excursions will include trips to shop for fairly-traded handicrafts, visits to  other nonprofit projects serving orphans and vulnerable children and a dinner at a cultural restaurant featuring traditional dance and food. 

   

Temesgen and MOWA official visit Port Townsend, WA

Last week, AAI lawyer Temesgen and a MOWA official visited Port Townsend, WA and had dinner with a number of AAI families.  Chris Little, AAI Board President and adoptive parent of many, sent these pictures in and reported that everyone had a great time.  In addition to joining local AAI families for dinner, Temesgen and the MOWA official also visited a school, several private homes and the Port Townsend courthouse where many adoptions are finalized. 

The bidding is on!!

2011 AAI Holiday Project Auction

Open for Bidding!

Head right over to this link to get a look at 100 beautiful gift items that benefit AAI's ongoing humanitarian efforts in Ethiopia and Ghana.   Jewelry, artwork, clothing and household items and vacation opportunities await you there.  Get your holiday shopping done extra early this year and your gift recipients will also appreciate that your purchase did "double duty" and helped an orphaned or vulnerable child in one of our programs.  The items were all donated by friends and supporters of AAI, many of whom are adoptive parents.