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	Schoolchildren in Debre Berhan celebrating their twinning with Frieth School in the Hambleden Valley

Supporters Group - Hambleden Valley Africa Link

For the past three years individual and churches in the Hambleden Valley have come together to raise funds for the work of our partner organisation in Ethiopia, JeCCDO.

The Hambleden Valley Africa Link (HVAL) was set up by a group of individuals who, through learning about the experiences of a locally adopted Ethiopian girl, became aware of the terrible problem of orphan and vulnerable children in Ethiopia. They decided to support our partner JeCCDO's work in   Bahir Dar through funding care for orphans enabling them to stay with extended families and carers in their community, funding school welfare clubs and tutorial classes. Recently, too, HVAL have funded a biogas unit in Debre Berhan which produces free power using animal waste for the agricultural demonstration facility.   

Local church groups have mobilised support and regular meetings are held every month to plan and coordinate fundraising activities.

The success of the group has been made possible through a lot of hard work, great organisation and also a lot of fun. Fundraising activities have included;

•  Dinner dances

•  Quiz nights featuring local celebrities such as Jeremy Paxman

•  Job swaps with a local vicar and shopkeeper swapping jobs

•  Fun runs

•  Sponsorships

•  Moonlight walks

Malcolm Macnaughton, Rector in the Hambleden Valley Churches says

'It is clearly right, in the global village, for people in a priveliged area to share what they have with those who have few material advantages. But getting involved in this project has been a real eye opener: we have been bowled over by the sheer courage, determination, self sacrifice and community spirit   of our partners in JeCCDO. Their commitment has drawn us in and makes us grateful for the opportunity to work with them. Seriously - it is doing us good as a community to be building this relationship with the kebeles in Ethiopia which are tackling their major problems with such initiative and drive.'

During the past three years many supporters from the valley have visited Ethiopia and the projects they have been supporting