It has been several months since the congregation received an update on Ertra and her two children, Sara and Abraham. This family of three fled Eritera to escape violence; they were granted asylum in the US and have subsequently received their green cards.

The team of Marilyn and Dan Claggett, Joan Musbach, Annie Sampath, Pat Doyle-Grace and Laura Cooper continue to be in contact with the family several times a year. Kay Roush also was a member of this team for several years. Included here is a picture from the Christmas get-together at Annie’s house.

Ertra works in the cafeteria at Roosevelt High School which she likes, helps her with English, is close to her home, and has the same schedule as her kids.  She also braids hair for extra income. Abraham and Sara will be 10 on June 6.  Sara has a scholarship to a nearby Catholic school and Abraham goes to public school so that he can receive ESL support.

Ertra now needs extensive dental work because she never saw a dentist until she came to the US.  She has had 2 root canals and one filling and needs 4 more root canals plus the crowns as well as 7 fillings.  Medicaid covers fillings and cleanings (for now at least!) but not root canals and crowns.  Root canals are done at AT Still Dental School and crowns and fillings at Affinia Healthcare.  Each set of root canal and filling costs about $1000.  Team members helped with the first root canal cost and Ertra paid for the second but she has a long expensive road ahead.

Ertra has agreed to return to First Congregational Church to repeat henna hand painting.  We could make it a fundraiser as well as a reintroduction. If anyone has it in their heart (and bank account) to make a donation towards her dental work it would be greatly appreciated.  Checks could be written to FCCWG to allow for a tax break. It is such a privilege to support refugees this way.