A Visit with Hana's Grandma

Since we still have no pics of the visit, here is one of Hana holding the pillow she sleeps with. This is her Grandmother, Tekle, and half-brother, Yosef. Here is the email we received on Thursday, 2/4.


"Well, yesterday was a super time. Ketema took us to Tekle's and the whole family was waiting outside to greet us with kisses. Tekle cried, I cried and everyone went inside where we shared pics, Hana's letter, gave the money Hana sent to Yosef and he is going to buy new shoes. They all saw Hana's report card and everyone is very proud of you girl!!! There were several people in Tekle's home, two of her daughters , her son, and some little kids who we think are Hana's cousins and the neighbors and their baby. After much sharing and crying we left for dinner and the whole street was full of people smiling and waving. Tekle, Yosef, Dad myself and Ketema went to Fasika for a very fine dinner and Josef surely ate the most!!!

Tekle is a beautiful woman and in fine health. She asked many questions about you, Hana, and says she loves you very much and is happy for you with your new family. She also loved seeing pictures of you with your sisters and having fun cutting your dad's hair. She especially liked seeing your pillow and the pics of you having fun in the water. All in all, it was a wonderful night and we promised to come back.

My work is going well but on Mondays and Thursday I walk for 5 hours into communities like Tekle's doing outreach and my knees and feet are killing me I may have to give up the spinning classes for a bit. This weekend we are taking the bus to Ambo and Wenchi to do some sight seeing with the folks in our home and I guess we are going to ride some donkeys---girls-- wish me luck also tomorrow we will get help loading all the pics of Tekle and more. Love Nana"

ETA: As you can imagine, this visit is a beautiful and wonderful thing for Hana and the rest of our family. The last contact we had was in March of 2008 when my friend Charlotte traveled to bring home her daughter and was kind enough to visit Tekle and share information with her about Hana. Tekle did not know that my parents were in Ethiopia, so this must have been quite a surprise for her.

Tekle is an amazing woman. She works very hard to make a a few dollars a month to raise her children and grandchildren. She lives in a one room shack in Addis Ababa with no plumbing. Hana tells many beautiful stories about Tekle, including how Tekle would often give money to people who were begging on the street. Hana is a remarkable and incredibly caring little sweetheart and after meeting Tekle there is no doubt where Hana got it.