2022 Activity Report

"Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time, and always start with the person nearest you"  Mother Teresa

CHIROTA Project 2022 Summarized Activity Report
(January to December 2022) - 12th years Anniversary

On behalf of the Beneficiaries of CHIROTA Elderly Neighbors Goodwill Project in Ethiopia Inc., I would like to extend my greetings to all our Supporters. I also wish to express my gratitude for your continuous support for the last 12 years.

I.   Introduction

Firstly,  I would like to extend my gratitude to all Supporters of CHIROTA Project for your continuous support for the last 12 years. As you know, CHIROTA Project is registered in June 2010 and started its activities on January 1, 2011. Since then, CHIIROTA Project functions smoothly without encountering any difficulty.

In 2022, with your generosity, we were able to assist 19 elderly households (25 people) including the disabled young men, young lady and those two who are affected by HIV/AIDS.

As we do every year, I am submitting to you here below the Summarized Report of the 2022 CHIROTA Project activities.

In 2022, I travelled to Addis Ababa beginning of March and I was there until end of July 2022.  So, I have observed very closely all activities including distribution of the Quarterly Food Ingredients and Pocket Money. While I was there, I had the opportunity talking to the Beneficiaries and visiting their dwellings many times. During that time, I have observed their health situations, their living conditions, and their immediate needs. Also, we met three times with those who live far away by inviting them to come to the meeting place.  Accordingly, we have taken the necessary actions to solve whatever was needed. During my stay in Addis Ababa, in addition to the regular activities, we had set other guidelines to facilitate handling  of  activities because of changes of Volunteers and an employee

II.   CHIROTA Project General Activities

As noted in its Goals and Objective, CHIROTA Project is continuously assisting the vulnerable elderly people by providing them with their daily meals, shelters and clothing as well as helping them to get medical treatment.  Accordingly, in 2022, we have continued assisting 19 household Beneficiaries (25 people including two disabled men, one disabled lady and one lady with her daughter who are HIV/AID positive. Unfortunately, we have lost one elderly Beneficiary this year. 

As known, since 2020 because of COVID-19, we are distributing food ingredients and pocket money in quarterly basis. However, the Injera is being distributed as scheduled, three times a week to those who are unable to bake. These methods are appreciated by the Beneficiaries.

III.   Health Situation of the Beneficiaries

As I mentioned above, while I was in Addis Ababa, I have visited the Beneficiaries regularly and followed their health situations.  I found out that except old age, disability and weakness, their health situation is better than last year. Some Beneficiaries have done their regular checkups as advised by the doctors. Only two Beneficiaries were seriously sick and were not willing to go the hospital. 

IV.   Death of Beneficiary in 2022

In August 2022, Ms. AT passed away at the age of 91 RIP.  CHIROTA Project was assisting her since January 1, 2011.  The last two years, she had serious health issues and she was given medical assistance by CHIROTA Project. RIP

V.   Injera, Food Ingredients, Pocket Money, Shelters, Clothing & Visitation

I wish to inform you that when I was in Addis Ababa, I joined the Volunteers while they were packing the monthly Food Ingredients and Pocket Money. Then we went around to distribute the packages. It was really a great opportunity to observe the gratitude and excitement of the Beneficiaries. Always, all assistances were received against their signatures.

1.  Injera

In 2022, thirteen Beneficiaries have received Injera. Each Beneficiary was receiving 7 to 12 Injera a week depending on their needs. The Injera was distributed three times a week, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. The Baker, who was hired since 2016, is providing high quality Injera at a reasonable price. She is also delivering the Injera to the Supervisor/Packer on time, without payment for transportation. This year, she had electricity problem and she took responsibility to buy Injera from other Bakers and delivered to Packer.  We really appreciate her thoughtfulness and for her continuously great job. All Beneficiaries, who are receiving the Injera, have expressed their admiration of its quality.      

2.  Food Ingredients

(a)  Berbere (68 kgs or 150lbs)Always Berbere is prepared in December.  So, in 2022, we used the Berbere prepared in December 2021 and for next year it was prepared in December 2022.  The Berbere is prepared by a close family who is giving a very reasonable price. The Berbere powder was well prepared with very high-ingredients. It was validated by our Advisors, Volunteers, Beneficiaries, and myself.

(b)  Cooking Oil - In 2022, the price of cooking oil is very high so we could not get at whole sale price. Although it is expensive, we got good brand cooking oil from the retailers and we buy it quarterly at the time distribution.

(c) Peas Powder (Shiro) Beginning of 2022, 100 kgs whole peas were purchased.  The peas-powder were being prepared four times a year to keep it fresh. The Beneficiaries have confirmed the cleanliness and the well prepared Shiro (peas-powder). 

3.  Pocket Money 

The Beneficiaries have received pocket money depending on their needs, kind of assistance and number of dependents. The Pocket money was distributed quarterly with the food ingredients. All quarterly assistances are given against the signature of the Beneficiaries. As noted in the previous reports, the pocket money is to cover rent, utility bills, mutual association, food ingredients such as onion, salt, coffee, etc.  Since we have raised their pocket money last year, there was no need to raise it again.

4.  Shelter 

In 2022, we did not repair any shelter; all dwellings were in livable conditions.

5.  Clothing 

In March 2022, while I was in Addis Ababa, shoes and clothes were given to the Beneficiaries, according to their requests and needs.

6.  Visitation

In 2022, the Volunteers were visiting the Beneficiaries every week taking turns. However, those who are getting Injera were visited three times a week by the Messenger. So  the Volunteers visit them only every other week.

7.  Providing cleaning assistance

In 2022, no cleaning services were provided by us thanks to neighbors and family members of the Beneficiaries who were willing to do the job.

VI.   Quarterly Distribution of Assistances

As I mentioned above, since June 2020 due to the pandemic and to protect the Beneficiaries as well as the Volunteers, we are distributing Food Ingredients and Pocket Money quarterly. Accordingly, in 2022, the quarterly distribution is being done in March, June, September, and December. The Beneficiaries have expressed their appreciation of our thoughtfulness with blessing words.

VII.       2022 Financial Report

The financial standing of CHIROTA Project in 2022 is in a very good status due to the generous donations of immediate family members and friends, who are determined to save the lives of those vulnerable people. Therefore, CHIROTA Project operates its activities without any financial issues. In this regard, our gratitude also goes to the Administrator and the Volunteers for saving money by purchasing food ingredients and other materials in a very controlled manner.

 As previously done, we manage our financial income and expenses as follows:        

1.    Donation in dollar is deposited in Chase Bank and it is being wired to Abyssinia Bank once a year. Donation in Birr is deposited in Abyssinia Bank.

2.    As we do every year, the 2022 Estimated Monthly and Yearly Budget as well as Individual Budget were set up at the beginning of 2022 and the activities were performed accordingly.

3.    Checks for monthly expenses were prepared, signed, and were given to the Administrator at the beginning of the year.

4.    All 2022 income and expenses were recorded by the Administrator in her books and then by the Volunteer Accountant in the Accounting Ledger and it was sent to me quarterly.

5.    After reviewing and further discussions with the Volunteers, the financial statement was finalized.

VIII.   Volunteers and Employees

1.    The AdministratorAs reported last year, she is living far away from the Project area.  However, she has continued her volunteer work (a)  by coming every other week to the area as scheduled to visit the Beneficiaries. (b) communicate with the Focal Point as needed and with the President by phone every week.  Sometimes, she visits the area unexpectedly to observe the Injera distribution and other activities.  Whenever it is needed, she consults with the Advisors.

2.    The Focal Point/Injera Head PackerShe receives Injera from the Baker, checks the quality, packs in individual container, and gives to the Messenger  Since she is living in the neighborhood, she watches most of the Beneficiaries’ movements and situations.  Also, she visits those Beneficiaries who live a little further from her, every other week. Then, she reports all activities to the Administrator and the President.

3.   The Messenger/Injera Distributor - She is a street vendor. She is working for us, part time, three times a week for two hours. She is doing an excellent job by distributing Injera to 13 Beneficiaries who are unable to bake. Also, one of her assignments is to bring messages from the Beneficiaries to the Volunteer. Also, to observe if there is any change on the Beneficiaries’ conditions and to report to the Focal  Point as well as to the Administrator. She is doing all her job on time and efficiently.  Above all, her willingness to continue this job is admirable.

So, in general, the Administrator, the Focal Point/Injera Packer and the Messenger are doing their best to serve the Beneficiaries. We are grateful for their willingness, excellent services and devotions.

IX.   Conclusion

In conclusion, it is important to mention here that the 2022 activities have been completed with good financial standing, according to its goals and objectives.  Although the market is very expensive, the Administrator and the Volunteer are doing their best to reduce expenses.  Here, I wish also to extend my appreciation to the lady who prepares the Berbere (hot pepper powder) at a very reasonable price.  Also, I am grateful to the Injera Baker, who is also very helpful in many ways and gives us reasonable price. In general, the Volunteers and Employees are very helpful and are taking their assigned responsibilities very seriously. It is my hope that, with our dedicated selfless Volunteers and Employees, CHIROTA Project’s activities, in 2023, will be operated successfully.

Finally, I wish to extend my gratitude to Supporters of CHIROTA Project for your unwavering support to enable CHIROTA Project  be successful for the last 12 years.  Moreover, your positive and constructive feedbacks have helped CHIROTA Project to reach at a successful 12th Year Anniversary.

I wish to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to all Board of Directors for their determination to help these vulnerable people.  Your comments and suggestions are welcome.

God bless you all for your unconditional support to those vulnerable elderly people which means a lot to them as well as to CHIROTA Project.

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Warmest regards,
Founder/President
April 28, 2023

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