Can a school bus save lives?
For 12 years, Omo Child founder Lale Labuko walked over 70 miles barefoot four times per year. Why? Education. Because of education, his life was changed. He saw how the practice of Mingi (killing ‘cursed’ children) was devastating his tribe, so over the past 12 years he has saved the lives of over 50 children, who are now nurtured and educated at the Omo Child Home in Jinka.
In the fall of 2020, the Omo Child team, with the help of generous donors, opened a primary school and enrolled approximately 240 children. The purpose of this school is threefold; 1) provide high-quality education to the rescued children, 2) to give hope to the families of the region by offering their children a high-quality education and 3) to increase Omo Child’s financial sustainability with the end goal of rescuing and caring for more Mingi children. Since Omo Child Primary School is one of the best in the region, demand is high, with over 1000 requests for acceptance.
This summer a third classroom block is being built, which will enable Omo Child Primary School to accept a total of nearly 400 children. With this increased enrollment comes the need for more transportation. We currently rent two busses to transport our older children to middle and high school, and to bring the primary school children from the community to our campus.
Purchasing a bus will give flexibility in when and where the rescued children go, while reducing monthly expenses and increasing our organization’s financial sustainability. Ultimately, this school bus will help rescue and care for more children.
A school bus can save lives.
Today, we are asking for your help in saving and caring for children labeled ‘Mingi’ by contributing toward the purchase of a bus for Omo Child Primary School. We are calling this Operation Buy The Bus.
Why give to this project?
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. We know there are dozens of great causes to donate to. Here are the top three reasons to join us in buying a bus for Omo Child Primary School. Read to the end for all the details.
1) Education saves and changes lives – this bus will enable more children to go to school, giving them the tools they need to reach their potentials.
2) Omo Child Primary School generates revenue that helps care for and educate the 52 rescued Mingi children, creating more opportunity for them to pursue further education, and allowing more Mingi children to be rescued. Owning a bus will reduce expenses and increase revenue.
3) Omo Child is an organization that is committed to quality and transparency. For 12 years they have been working to rescue, care for, and educate rescued children. They are committed to staying the course and raising these kids to be change-makers in their communities.
Where and What Is Omo Child?
There are nine main tribes that occupy the Omo Valley region of Southwest Ethiopia, with a total population of approximately 225,000 tribal peoples. There is very limited outside support for this region, partly due to its extreme remoteness – it is approximately a 7-hour drive to the town of Jinka over rough, pitted roads. There is no written language, and the tribe’s currency is cattle and goats. The majority of the people living in the Omo Valley do not have access to clean drinking water or medical care.
In this region called “Africa’s Last Frontier” by National Geographic, the tribes live a pastoral lifestyle raising their cattle and practicing flood-recession agriculture. However, fear and superstition still exists in the valley. Some of the tribes believe evil spirits or a “curse” will bring ill fortune (drought, famine, disease and death) to their villages if Mingi children are not killed. Children can be declared Mingi for three reasons, woman mingi, girl mingi, and teeth mingi.
OMO CHILD’s mission is to provide a safe, nurturing home and quality education for our rescued Mingi children. Our hope is that these children will become future leaders and change-makers in their tribes and communities. We also raise awareness about the practice of Mingi and work to see it eliminated.
The primary school in Jinka is a pivotal part of rescuing children and creating a brighter future for Omo Valley communities. The hundreds of children educated there will have a new outlook on life, and the revenue generated by the school will enable us to save more Mingi children.
The school bus will enable children to be transported to and from the primary school. This is especially important as the school is increasing enrollment by 50% this fall.
Will You Give Financially To Operation Buy The Bus?
We are committed to expanding the school, including the purchase of a bus. The bus we have chosen, the Tata LP913 bus will be able to transport 60+ children.
Our goal is to raise $125,000 in three months.
Financial Breakdown – Individual One Time Donations:
This is a breakdown of what we would need to reach our goal. Would you consider taking one of these slots?
10 people at $5,000
10 people at $1,000
12 people at $500
17 people at $250
20 people at $100
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