An update sent via email to donors on June 8th, 2008

Dear fellow Alamitu helpers,

Last year when Rachel and I started collecting funds for Alamitu's surgery, we were so surprised by the amount of support that we received via the website that Evan built. We want to thank everyone who donated from the bottom of our hearts for your selfless giving to Alamitu. Also for the trust that you placed in us that the funds would go directly to her surgery. We owe you all this long-awaited update on the progress of her surgery.

There is a lot of good news - not only was her surgery performed, the doctors were willing to do it before she had any of the money there with her in Ethiopia. So they did the surgery on credit, and it was a successful surgery with a successful recovery. There are pictures attached showing the present condition of her back. She also wanted some pictures taken of her in her tribe's traditional clothes, the Oromo tribe.

Our good friend Jason Burton who is involved with his own humanitarian projects (whereloveisethiopia.blogspot.com), happened to be going to Ethiopia a few months ago. He has visited with Alamitu twice now in Arsi Negelle and says that she seems to be doing really great. She is now working, which only became possible after her surgery. Thanks to Jason's kindness and work we've also now collected all of the receipts from each treatment and procedure, along with a letter from the hospital addressed to Rachel and I (note that my last name has changed - I've since gotten married!), which gives a summary of the things that have been paid and what is still owed. Everything paid for so far is what we have received so far ($1350 US = approximately 12,800 birr). The hospital still needs to be paid 5,700 birr which is about $570 US. Since all of our donations have been exhausted we are still accepting donations to be able to pay the hospital the remaining amount as soon as possible. Please encourage your family and friends to donate even $5 so that we can pay Alamitu's remaining debt.

Needless to say we are thrilled with how Alamitu is doing. We wish we could be there ourselves to congratulate her. It has taken a lot of time to gather information and we want to thank you for giving so much and for being patient. It is an inspiration to us that this seemingly unachievable goal of ours for Alamitu was actually never impossible at all. Thank you for everything. Galatome!

Check back to www.alamitu.org for an udpate. I'll send another email with the letter and receipts attached.

God bless,

Lindsay (Johnson) MacDonald