We recently introduced you to our first Mocha Club project in Ethiopia: Women At Risk. Through this project, you are helping female commercial sex workers in Nazaret, Ethiopia get out of the poverty trap in which they are caught, enabling them to start a new life. Soon, we’ll have more personal stories about individual women, but until then, we wanted to give you more background info on how life was for these women and how Women At Risk is helping…

The project was initially set up in 2003 to reach young women working in the bars that are all over the town of Nazaret.

To recruit a new cycle of group of women, “night visits” of bars and nightclubs were begun in mid January 2009. During this recruitment period of 2 months, initial contacts and relationships were built, which would help in the selection of women that would be in the 7 month long rehabilitation program.

For the selection process two criteria were in place:

• Each women that came to the program was actively working in prostitution.
• Each woman had to show some level of commitment in wanting a change of lifestyle.

If our efforts of rehabilitation are not strongly backed with a deep desire of lifestyle change by the women and from that specific target group, the outcome is questionable.

Night visits began in mid-January 2009. As a start, the counselors began to visit the girls in the bars at night, but also during the day in what is called ‘women’s house’.

“Women’s house” is usually one large room in the back of the bars that the women sleep/live in during the day, but owned by the bar owners. This is the bar owner’s way of controlling the women who work in their bars. Facilities in this one big room which usually would house as many as 10 women, is very minimal, mats on the floor, a tap outside and a drop-toilet shared with the bar patrons.

Though visiting the women in the daytime proved to be very fruitful and less dangerous for our team in terms of building good relationships and actually able to have useful conversations, opposition from the bar owners was very strong. Even to a point where couple of women who talked to us were fired from the bars.

Night visits in the bars became more and more difficult for the two-woman team of counselors. Bar owners could spot them. The women also became more suspicious; therefore making reasonable contacts became difficult.

But even through this, good contacts were made with about 21 women, and 16 of them showed some level of interest. During this final interview to select 10 out of 16 the criterion ‘Each woman has to show some level of commitment in wanting change of life style’ is very closely followed. An interview with each woman was conducted, and only 7 women showed a deeper level of commitment in wanting lifestyle change, despite the struggles ahead.

Based on our experience, we continued with the recruitment searching for 3 -5 more committed women within the next 6 weeks.

In the meantime, Nazareth Project has had a man, Abebe, who was the guard from 2003 – mid 2008 and who worked for a local church. He had already gained so much trust and credibility in the community. So Abebe became the new male counselor for Women At Risk, and together with the two female counselors, they continued with their night visits to select 5 more women. They already have established relationships with 12 women who went through formal interviews.

More personal stories on the women to come soon!

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Here’s a report from our partners in Gulu, Uganda at Village of Hope, specifically about the Primary School you helped build! The school has 148 kids in Primary 1-4 with 6 teachers.

These photos show the ceremony they had for the children elected into offices…they repeated a vow and prayed for each other. It was a special event. Now they have their own “badge” which is quite an achievement. Our partners there in Gulu reported that they “felt like proud mom and dad” to see the children achieve this success!

Here are a few more photos of the children at school…

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We received this story from our partners in Gulu, Uganda at the Village of Hope. We had to share it with you!

Phillip was filled with anger. He never felt safe and had a hard time fitting in with others. He always seemed to be waiting for something bad to happen. All these feelings are typical of someone who has survived the trauma of war. But when you are 5 years old, how do you deal with these feelings?

Phillip was born to a mother who was abducted by LRA Rebels when she was 13 yrs old (a “child mother”). She conceived him while she was being held captive. In his short life he has experienced gun battles, starvation, sickness, and he has witnessed killings. His mother attempted to escape from the rebels several times, finally succeeding on the third attempt along with her two children. They found themselves with nowhere to go. When she returned home, her parents were missing – her father had been murdered by the Rebels. People didn’t want her around because her children were born in the bush.

She came to Action International [Mocha Club partners in Gulu, Uganda who run the Village of Hope] in 2005 and found help for herself and her children. She joined the Butterfly Club ministry. She attended Bible studies and accepted Christ into her life. She learned to see her children as a gift from God and love them despite the circumstances of their birth. She received adult education and skills training. Her children were able to attend the Nursery School at Village of Hope, which Mocha Club helped build.

When Phillip first came to class, he was wild and uncontrollable. He brought sharp objects to school and threatened other children. His teachers were patient and kind with him, showing him love. Many people started to pray for Phillip. Through the love and patience of his teachers, Phillip began to settle down. He learned that school was a safe place and that his teachers would love him no matter what he did. He tried their patience a lot during the first school term. By the end of third term, his behavior had improved and he succeeded in graduating from K3 to P1! Here is Phillip at his graduation:


His mother says she has noticed a change in him. He is no longer wild and angry. He always used to run and hide whenever he heard a helicopter or airplane because he was afraid they would drop bombs on him. She says she can see how God has answered all the prayers for Phillip.

Phillip will be attending P1 at the new Primary School [that MC members helped build], newly constructed at the Village of Hope. There, vulnerable children like Phillip can receive a good education and have a chance for a future and healing of their emotional wounds.

THANK YOU for helping make this possible through your donations!

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Remember little Moses, the baby who was rescued by our partners with ACTION Int’l in Northern Uganda? Well, here’s an update!

Soon after arriving at Home of Love, Moses began to eat well and recover. After four months, he has gained strength and is starting to walk! Our partners there report that Moses is happy and responding to the care of the dorm mothers and interacts well with the other toddlers. He has learned how to wave bye-bye.

The police investigation [as to who Moses belongs to and how he was abandoned] is still open. Moses will remain at Home of Love Orphanage for Vulnerable Children until the case can be resolved.

Moses in December 2008


Moses in April 2009

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Hey everyone! We have the perfect gift for Mother’s Day. It’s coming up this weekend, you know! Choose to support someone in Africa in honor of your Mother. Let your mother know that you desire to pass on the gift of life that she has given you.

You can personalize the eCard that will be sent to her on Saturday, May 9th, the day before Mother’s Day.

>>Reserve your Mother’s Day gift now.

see sample eCard below…

Posted in Child Mothers/Women At Risk, Education, HIV/AIDS, Job Creation, Orphan Care, MC Office News, Sudan Regrowth | no comments

Remember our last update about the Primary School you’re helping build at Village of Hope in Gulu, Uganda? Well, it’s now complete! THANK YOU for helping make this possible!

The children who attend this school are made up of many of the Child Mothers’ children, AIDS/WAR orphans, and a few from the community. It is primarily a school for the most vulnerable children due to the war in northern Uganda for the last 23 years. Though it has subsided considerably, Joseph Kony, the LRA rebel leader, has not been captured and has been active in war crimes now in Congo and Sudan.

Without schooling, village life is about taking care of siblings, working and often often much food. We need to continue to do our part to help these children!

Here are some photos of the finished building and some children now enjoying their wonderful new facility…

The completed school!


Inside one of the primary school classrooms


Playing in the school yard


Eating breakfast

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We had to share this amazing story of restoration and redemption from our partners at Village of Hope in Gulu, Uganda. We are so thankful to serve these child mothers alongside you…

Agness and Samuel on their wedding day

Agness is a Child Mother, which means she was previously abducted by the LRA rebels. She joined the program at Village of Hope 5 years ago and was mentored by the staff. She had one child from her captivity and also has 3 dependents she has taken into her home. Her brother was also abducted and killed by the LRA rebels. AIDS has claimed other members of her family. Through her time at Village of Hope, Agness has become strong and has waited patiently.

After while, Samuel, a staff member in the maintenance department, met Agness, and many people who knew them felt they would be a good match. Sure enough, Agness and Samuel soon became a couple, and things were started in the right spiritual and cultural manner. A wedding date was set for March 14, 2009! Our partners in Gulu were privileged to witness the beautiful wedding.

Samuel has also taken 2 dependent children into his home, although he himself was not abducted by the LRA. He had family members taken, as well as others suffering from HIV/AIDS.

Pictured here is Agness’ father speaking at her wedding. He looked at the local staff there and said, “Thank you for caring for my child.”


Here is Agness with other Child Mothers on her wedding day…


We are so happy for Agness and Samuel…and so thankful for your support!

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Remember our recent update on the construction of the primary school you’re helping fund at Village of Hope in Gulu, Uganda? We’re glad to bring you these updates on the progress!

Rafters have been put in place for the roof. The inside of the classrooms have been plastered covering the bricks. The walls have been prepared for the placement of the chalkboards.




Here it is with the completed roof. The outside of the building is being plastered, and next will come the finishing touches!

We’ll keep you posted!

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We wanted to introduce to you a new project that Mocha Club is excited about helping fund, thanks to YOU! You are now helping us rehabilitate 50 former prostitutes or “sex workers” in the town of Nazaret, Ethiopia. The face of prostitution in Ethiopia, in general, is linked with deep poverty. As a result, many think that prostitution is their only hope. Women also deal with various social issues, including different levels of trauma they have experienced as early as childhood. Most young women go into prostitution because of lack of family support and a lack of income. From our experience, the women are desperate to leave this occupation, but are trapped by the lack of opportunities and rehabilitative support. Many women come from rural areas, especially those working at the lowest level of prostitution. This is because they have no education and are not necessarily street smart. Many women are second and third generation into the life of prostitution. According to a latest data released by HIV/AIDS Secretariate, the rate of HIV infection among women in prostitution is expected to be as high as 74%.

Our rehabilitation requires not only getting these women off the streets, but also counseling them through their heart issues and helping them find alternate vocations and income. These women will either make a start by setting up their own small business projects or they will submit their new qualifications to the attention of other employers. The example set by the mothers will obviously impact their children who will have new role models to follow, thus distancing themselves from the night-life of prostitution. The ultimate goal of our partner organization, “Ellita – Women At Risk” is helping these women so that they remain healthy and become productive members of the society, through behavioral change and skill training. The program, Ellilta, is literally a shout of joy, such as during worship, weddings, or a new birth.

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We received this sweet story from our partners in Gulu, Uganda at the Village of Hope. We had to share it with you!

Angie Lauer holding little Moses

A lady was walking down the road in Gulu and heard a baby crying. She looked in the bushes by the creek where the street boys wash cars and motorcycles. She found a baby boy and rescued him. She took him to the Probation department of the government that deals with children. The Probation department brought him to ACTION [MC partners in Gulu] and we placed him at Home of Love. The government ran announcements on the radio as they are looking for his parents. The Dorm Mothers at Home of Love have named him, Moses, because he was found by the water in the bushes. He is 1 1/2 years old and severely malnourished. He can sit up but is too weak to stand.

[Editor’s note: We heard that Moses is blossoming and getting healthier! We hope to update you more on this little guy in the future.]

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