Where is the American Embassy in Ethiopia?
Should I carry my passport or keep it in my room?
Do I need a first aid kit?
Should we take antibiotics to prevent getting ill?
Can we adopt children from the orphanage?
Can I serve as a short-term or career missionary?
What is the cost for extended stays or short-term?

Where is the American Embassy in Ethiopia?
The U.S. Embassy in Ethiopia is located at Entoto Avenue, P.O. Box 1014, in Addis Ababa, telephone 251-11-124-2424; emergency after-hours telephone: 251-11-124-2400; consular fax: 251-11-124-2435; website: http://addisababa.usembassy.gov

Should I carry my passport or keep it in my room?
It is advisable to keep your passport with you at all times, especially when traveling. While in the orphanage, you may choose to keep it securely stored in your room.

Do I need a first aid kit?
There is a small clinic located at or near the orphanages. Most emergency medical items would be available there. You may bring some first aid supplies as you feel comfortable, and perhaps you could leave them for the clinic.

Should we take antibiotics to prevent getting ill?
Antibiotics are not recommended for prevention of travelers' diarrhea. The decision is based on 1) concern that prophylaxis of travelers' diarrhea may cause emergence of resistant organisms in developing countries, and 2) the number of side effects associated with antibiotics, 3) prolonged or excessive use of antibiotics could in itself lead to other gastrointestinal symptoms, which include diarrhea. However, those at hig risk or those planning a once-in-a lifetime brief vacation may want to take an antibiotic like Cipro once a day while traveling.

Can we adopt children from the orphanage?
In Ethiopia - we encourage those able and interested in adoption to consider children from the Kamashi Orphanage and School. The adoption of these children simply means another orphaned child can be accepted in the adopted child's place. Our ministry is prohibited by Ethiopian law from doing adoptions since we operate an orphanage, but we are working with Celebrate Children International who is an adoption agency: www.CelebrateChildren.org.

Can I serve as a short-term or career missionary?
We need both short-term and career missionaries who are interested in serving a few weeks, a few months, or a few years. While education and child care are two areas of high priority, we have many opportunities for you to serve God in a Foreign Missions environment.

What is the cost for extended stays or short-term?
We encourage people to come as their schedule permits. If coming to Ethiopia outside of a scheduled mission trip, the cost is $62 per week in addition to the base trip cost. For volunteers staying more then 4 months, we join in helping to raise the support over time as follows:

• Months 5 through 8 are shared 30% by us, so the cost is $44 per week during this period.
• Months 9 through 12 are shared 60% by us, costing you $25 per week during this period.
• After 1 year, Blessing the Children International participates 100% in your support, so there is no weekly cost during the second year and longer, because we raise your weekly support.