Appeal on Behalf of Eritrean Refugees

ERITREAN DEMOCRATIC ASSOCIATION, INC.
A Nonprofit for Public Benefit Corporation

Dear friends,

Appeal on Behalf of Eritrean Refugees

As you may know, the ongoing exodus of the Eritrean youth into the neighboring countries is increasing at an alarming rate. A recent count of Eritrean refugee camps in Eastern Sudan shows over 10,000 Eritreans with another over 50,000 in Northern Ethiopia. Add to this the large long-term refugee caseloads – those who were displaced by the last wars between Eritrea and Ethiopia. Many of these refugees have children that they cannot afford to feed let alone send to school.

Hence, Board Members of the Eritrean Democratic Association (EDA) appeal for your tax-deductible sponsorship of one or more of these unfortunate children. The cost of covering most expenses for one child in the Sudan is only $20 per month. For less than 0.67 cents/day, you have the opportunity of providing basic necessities and school supplies for one precious life. A monthly expense of US$20 may not have a negative impact for most of us who live in North America, Europe, or Australia, but when we use it to support a child refugee in the Sudan or Ethiopia, it can take care of some basic necessities, books, and provide great hope and moral support that can make a difference in the future of that individual.

It is our hope, therefore, that you will, not only sponsor one or more of these children but also help us spread the word to your friends and family and ask them to help! If not us, who; if not now, when?

The Child Sponsorship Program:

Child Sponsorship program was initiated following the universal practice of international charitable organizations that work in various countries in helping children exposed to poverty and illiteracy by providing material support as well as opening doors for education and other opportunities. Even though the need for this help warrants that a lot more work needs to be done, some concerned Eritreans, who started soliciting child sponsorships some seven years ago to provide services to all these uprooted and displaced children, are making

significant positive impact on many children’s lives. It is about time that we share the burden with them in any way we can.

Since its inception four years ago, Sponsor a Child program, a unit of EDA, Non-Profit organization, continues to facilitate the tax-deductible donations from sponsors in North America, Europe, and Australia. Most Board members lead by example as they are child sponsors themselves. One of the unique properties of EDA is the fact that it delivers all the funds raised for a particular target without taking any portion of it for administrative cost. EDA can do this because it is run by volunteers only.

In conclusion please remember that “Society is responsible to take care of those who cannot take care of themselves.” Therefore, we Eritreans along with the friends of Eritrea must accept that these unfortunate Eritreans are our responsibility! We should just be grateful that we are on the giving end and not the receiving line!!

We hope you will support us in this life-giving effort by making tax-deductible checks to:

EDA
4450 Jana Vista Road
El Sobrante, CA 94803
U.S.A.

EDA’S TAX ID is available on request
Board of Directors
(EDA) the Eritrean Democratic Association
Website: www.eritreacare.org.

ADDENDUM
OTHER EDA SUPPORTED PROGRAMS

This Addendum shows the additional exemplary programs which are worthy of your support. These are well managed and long-standing programs that are designed to provide specific services to our refugee communities in the Sudan:

1. Wedi-Sherifey School in Kessela: – This school was founded in Kessela, Sudan, more than 26 years ago. It accommodates grades 1 – 8. Last year it had 600 students. After completing 8th grade the students move on to a particular Catholic school or any high school in the Sudan. We are working to expand the school and improve its quality. The school organizers and charitable organizations in Genève and in The Vatican have been covering the cost of operation of the school so far. Also many concerned Eritreans have raised funds and dug into their pockets to help. The EDA supports the School but it has cash limitations.

Last June 2010, members of an Eritrean charitable organization (ASEE) held an international music festival in Geneva and had their tent up to sell traditional food. They raised $11,000 US to support Wedi-Sherifey School in Kessela. It is possible to do similar efforts in North America and other economically advanced countries, so we would like to remind you that you give your opinion or do your share on this matter.


2. The Center for the Physically Challenged/Disabled: The nonprofit organization, Association of Disabled Eritreans (ADE) from its headquarter in France has set up a center to shelter many war disabled Eritreans in Kessala, Sudan. It has been covering the costs for food and medical treatment for quite some time now and EDA has supported the cause through fundraising dinners. In the month of August 2010 a Chapter of ADE was established in North America. Your support of this worthy program would also be appreciated.

3. Refugee case study and follow up: (EDA) Working with the appropriate agencies it follows the causes of migration, the number of refugees that arrive on a daily basis, the hardship and danger that they face, etc. This collected data is then disseminated to the public and humanitarian organizations. It sends reminders to the appropriate national offices and defends the legal rights and the safety of refugees. Through its representatives it also follows the conditions of refugee camps in the Sudan and Ethiopia and gives assistance as much as its capabilities permit. It also pleads with various charitable international organizations for education and vocational training to be provided in the refugee camps. It has sections to provide health services and education, but there are minimum requirements that need to be satisfied before it can get equipment and funds. This is why we desperately need your donations.

Message of Solidarity to North America Chapter of
Disabled Eritreans Constituent Congress

July 1, 2010

The Association of Disabled Eritreans (ADE) is convening a constituent congress in Chicago, Illinois in North America
on July 3, 2010. This constituent congress will establish an Eritrean Association of Disabled Eritreans-North America
Chapter.

Eritrean Democratic Association welcomes the establishment of Eritrean Association of Disabled Eritreans-North
America Chapter and affirms its stand in solidarity with the Association of Disabled Eritreans, an association
dedicated to the support of Eritreans who sustained heavy injuries during the 30-year war of independence, as well
as Eritreans who became disabled as a result of natural causes.

Eritrean Democratic Association in particular hails for the serious commitment of the Association of Disabled Eritreans
to supporting injured Eritrean independence war veteran fighters stationed in Kassella, Sudan by relentlessly raising
money and by finding sustainable donors. Injured by bullets and bombes in the Eritrean war of independence, they
are blind, deaf either in one ear or both, have multiple injuries to the lower extremities, paralyzed and unable to
walk, legs and arms amputated – these are Eritrean men and women injured war veterans left without care in Sudan
whom the Association of Disabled Eritreans is struggling at the forefront to cover the cost of wheelchairs and health
care services, including other necessities such as food, clothing, and shelter.

The establishment of Association of Disabled Eritreans-North America Chapter in the upcoming Constituent Congress
is a positive step forward that highlights the responsibility we have in support of our war veterans who gave so
much to liberate Eritrea.

The Eritrean Democratic Association joins the preparatory committee of the constituent congress of the North-
America Chapter in calling Eritreans and others to participate in the congress that will adopt measures and policies
on how to tackle the suffering of Eritrean war injured veteran fighters. We also call Eritreans to participate in raising
money and in becoming sustained donors or be volunteers to raise the public awareness on the plight of our war
veteran fighters.

Once again, the Eritrean Democratic Association expresses solidarity with the Association of Disabled Eritreans (ADE)
to hold North America Chapter of Disabled Eritreans Constituent Congress, thus paving the way for effective and
organized institution that can pioneer the cause of war injured Eritrean veteran fighters. The Eritrean Democratic
Association pledges to work in close cooperation with the ADE to promote and help our war injured veterans.
Eritrean Democratic Association, Board of Directors

Eritrean Disabled Veterans

EDA supports and provides vocational training to disabled war veterans who were incapacitated during Eritrea’s 30 years of war for independence. All the men and women who in their young age devoted their lives to the liberation of their beloved country have brought Eritrean independence.

In the long and bitter-armed struggle waged for thirty years, tens of thousands have paid their dear lives, and thousands more have sustained light and heavy wounds. Some are now living with serious physical disabilities at the Eritrean war veteran center in Kassala, Sudan.

Veterans who sustained injuries causing paralysis and loss of limbs, sight and hearing

After thirty years of armed struggle that achieved national independence, you might think the government has established well organized institutions with efficient services providing all the necessary benefits for Eritrea’s most disabled war veterans. They deserved better living conditions, rehabilitation and training to be able to fully function and fully regain their dignity. Unfortunately, this has not happened.

The Association of Disabled Eritreans (ADE), officially registered in France, has been providing assistance for the disabled and their families. The assistance provided include living and medical expenses out of the budget that the ADE raises from donor agencies. The sister organization, Eritrean Democratic Association (EDA), has been supporting this veterans’ center by organizing fundraising events. In every event, generous donations were collected from Eritrean and American donors and sent to the Center to help improve their living conditions.

EDA plans to elevate its capability and continue to support the center. These veterans have the right to live in the very country they paid their lives to liberate and be provided with material and medical services. The dictatorial regime in power has failed to support them.

EDA calls on the public to make generous donations to assist the disabled veterans.

July 1, 2010

The Association of Disabled Eritreans (ADE) is convening a constituent congress in Chicago, Illinois in North America on July 3, 2010. This constituent congress will establish an Eritrean Association of Disabled Eritreans-North America Chapter.

Eritrean Democratic Association welcomes the establishment of Eritrean Association of Disabled Eritreans-North America Chapter and affirms its stand in solidarity with the Association of Disabled Eritreans, an association dedicated to the support of Eritreans who sustained heavy injuries during the 30-year war of independence, as well as Eritreans who became disabled as a result of natural causes.

Eritrean Democratic Association in particular hails for the serious commitment of the Association of Disabled Eritreans to supporting injured Eritrean independence war veteran fighters stationed in Kassella, Sudan by relentlessly raising money and by finding sustainable donors. Injured by bullets and bombes in the Eritrean war of independence, they are blind, deaf either in one ear or both, have multiple injuries to the lower extremities, paralyzed and unable to walk, legs and arms amputated – these are Eritrean men and women injured war veterans left without care in Sudan whom the Association of Disabled Eritreans is struggling at the forefront to cover the cost of wheelchairs and health care services, including other necessities such as food, clothing, and shelter.

The establishment of Association of Disabled Eritreans-North America Chapter in the upcoming Constituent Congress is a positive step forward that highlights the responsibility we have in support of our war veterans who gave so much to liberate Eritrea.

The Eritrean Democratic Association joins the preparatory committee of the constituent congress of the North-America Chapter in calling Eritreans and others to participate in the congress that will adopt measures and policies on how to tackle the suffering of Eritrean war injured veteran fighters. We also call Eritreans to participate in raising money and in becoming sustained donors or be volunteers to raise the public awareness on the plight of our war veteran fighters.

Once again, the Eritrean Democratic Association expresses solidarity with the Association of Disabled Eritreans (ADE) to hold North America Chapter of Disabled Eritreans Constituent Congress, thus paving the way for effective and organized institution that can pioneer the cause of war injured Eritrean veteran fighters. The Eritrean Democratic Association pledges to work in close cooperation with the ADE to promote and help our war injured veterans. Eritrean Democratic Association, Board of Directors