One of the ways I continue to try and give back to Ethiopia, the country I have adopted two children from, is volunteering as the AHOPE Supplies Coordinator. AHOPE stands for African HIV Orphans: Project Embrace, and it is an orphanage for AIDS orphans in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The AIDS orphans at AHOPE have not only lost their families to HIV/AIDS, but they are now living with this terrible virus themselves.

AHOPE provides a loving environment for these children, as well as life-saving anti-retro viral medications (through Barlow House Clinic and Dr. Jane Aronson's World Wide Orphan Foundation), balanced nutrition, an education and even the possibility of being adopted.

AHOPE currently has approximately 85 children, ranging in age from infant to teenager. Because AHOPE has a very limited budget for basic items like clothing, diapers and toys, we depend on the generosity of individual donors for these things. As the supplies coordinator, I keep track of what items are most needed at AHOPE, of who is traveling and can carry donations over and who has items to donate.

Because shipping donations to Ethiopia is very costly and because AHOPE would have to pay fees to receive the packages, it is not possible to regularly ship donations and supplies, so we rely on adoptive parents and volunteers to carry donations over when they travel.

There are several ways that you can help the children of AHOPE. You can gather some of the items off of the list below and take them with you when you are traveling to Ethiopia.

If you are traveling and able to take donations but do not have the time or ability to gather the donations, you can contact me and I will have someone who has gathered donations send them to you to be brought to Ethiopia.

And if you are not traveling to Ethiopia any time soon but would still like to help, you can gather items off of the list and contact me, and I will put you in touch with someone who is able to carry the donations over to Addis.

We realize that the adoption agencies also rely on traveling parents to transport supplies for their orphanages, and we do not wish to commandeer luggage space that the agencies depend on. However donations for AHOPE are much needed and much appreciated, and we are truly grateful to all of those that are willing to help get the needed supplies to the children.

Whether you can donate and/or carry a small amount of donations or a large amount of donations, every little bit helps and is appreciated.

Here is the list of most needed items. At the bottom are directions and phone numbers for AHOPE for when you are in Ethiopia. You can call to schedule a visit (the children love visitors), or you can arrange to have the donations picked up from wherever you are staying. If you need any help or guidance you can contact me at

a h o p e s u p p l i e s @ g m a i l . c o m (no spaces)

List of needed supplies:

Anti-Fungal Shampoo
Anti-Pyretic Syrup
Anti-acid tablets
Allergy Medicine Syrup
Disposable rubber sheets
Biohazard Sharps container
Hydrogen Peroxide
Alcohol (70%)
Cotton balls
Sterile Gauze
Bandages
Pedialyte (Oral Electrolyte maintenance Solution)
VIACTIV - Active Nutrition for men and women
Calcium Chews, milk chocolate
Adhesive Bandages - Long Lasting Adhesive
Infant anti-diarrheal medicine
Nitrile (Non-latex)gloves, Size S and M
Diapers in sizes for infants - two year olds
Wart medications
Enema can with disposable rectal tube - pediatric
Kimberly-Clark Fog free procedure mask
Technical Fluid Shield Splashguard
Pediasure - Complete, balanced nutrition
Tablet Crusher
Ketokonazole Shampo
Miconazole - For Oral Fungal Infection
Antibiotics( Syrups/Capsule)
Ammoxicillin
Erythomycin
Cloxacillin
Cfalexin
Zentle Syrup
Vermox Syrup
Grisofulvin tablets
Hospital bed covers - Disposable
Children's DVD - educational
Children's belts
Books - educational and story books
Construction Paper for arts and crafts
Children's Socks for ages 10-15
Surgical Gloves - Sterile
Packed Sterile Gauze

Directions to AHOPE (these sound really vague, but they will get you there!)

The older children’s compound is around Mekanisa / Yilma Hotel; pass by Vatican Embassy/UNMEE office. This is on the road to the Norwegian Embassy. The younger children’s compound and the office are around Kelem Gebrail, near Victory Duty Free Shop on the Road to ALERT.

Cell phone: 0911-606-723. Or +251-911-606-723 if calling from abroad.

Office number: 0113-714-632. Or +251-113-714-632 if calling from abroad.

Thanks so much for your help.

More reading on AHOPE:

AHOPE website

About AHOPE for Children (my post)

How to Help HIV+ Kids in Ethiopia