Cindy Brennan, C.O.F.F.E.E. Camp Director, Mom, OR Nurse, Runner, Tele and Nordic Skier, Cyclist,Volunteer
Cindy was born and raised in New Jersey (though no one ever believes that, it actually is true!) She holds a BS in Biology from James Madision University and a BSN from Johns Hopkins. After college, she moved out West, living and exploring Utah, Colorado, and finally Bend, where she has lived for the last 19 years. She’s a surgical nurse, mom to two busy kids, 16 year old Kai and 14 year old Dagim, who came home from Ziway,Ethiopia at age 3. She is also a step mom to Bret’s two great kids (Laina and Ty). She loves warm, sunny days, family, good food, traveling and adventures, and laughing!
Yodit HaileMesekel, Counselor of Ethiopian Culture and Cuisine
Yodit was born in Bishoftui, Ethiopia (formerly known as Debre Zeyit) and raised in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. She came to the United States in 1996 looking for better opportunities. Since 2001, she has been working at Kaiser Permanente as an ophthalmic technician. She joined Dr. Jason Dimmig and his colleague, Dr. Huck Holz in Ethiopia in 2013 as a volunteer assistant for a cataract outreach camp in 2013. She is a loyal, caring, and energetic person who at work loves to create a positive experience for patients. She will be a great role model for the kids and is excited to participate in camp!'
Mussé Barclay
Mussé Barclay is 17 years old and was adopted from Dessie, Ethiopia at the age of of 6. He is an active student at Hockinson high. Musse is part of his high school theater program, mock trial, and is a passionate photographer. He is passionate about using his skill and love of the arts to fundraise for Charity Water, an organization that has helped millions of people in the northern part of Ethiopia gain access to clean water. He finds strength in serving others and always finds time to show off his Ethiopian roots. When adopted from Ethiopia he struggled to transition to life in America, and has had to overcome many obstacle to feel happy and proud of his story. He is excited to go back and visit his home land of Ethiopia, the land of honey and milk
OTHER COUNSELORS:
WUBET BIRATU
NEFTHALEM
Robin Baraybar, Camp Art Director, Mom, knitter extraordinaire, homeschooling guru
Robin is a life long tinkerer, wanderer, and creative spirit. She especially loves all things fiber, from sheep to yarn and everything in between. She is inspired by nature and culture and loves to work with natural materials.
For 11 years, Robin worked as a speech-language pathologist in both Early Intervention and as an autism and dyslexia specialist. Robin is now using her talents to break down all skills to “learnable chunks” as a homeschooling mama. It’s the best job she’s ever had! But don’t be surprised if you find Robin and her kids “doing school” in the garden, on a trail, or in the woods.
Bret Madrigal, Co-Director, Camp Sherpa, Cindy’s other half, man of many talents
Bret was born and raised in Laguna Beach, California. He decided to try something different and went to college in Iowa, which, he claims, was a great party that lasted five years! He then decided to get serious and moved to Bend, Oregon, where his dad had relocated some years earlier. He’s been a resident of Bend ever since, with deep roots in the community from diverse jobs. He’s been in building/remodeling/general contracting for years, though his biggest love is for his two kids,Laina and Ty, and now his blended family. His hobbies include mountain biking, running, snowboarding, surfing and paddleboarding, doing household projects and making people laugh.
Zora Kurzenhauser, counselor, proud Ethiopian adoptee
Zora was born and raised in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia until the age of six. She then relocated to Addis until she was adopted with her biological sister. Zora and her sister were adopted into a family that resides in Gladstone, Oregon and she’s lived there since.
In her free time, Zora loves to read books, keep up with politics, and hang out with friends. She also loves good food and trying different cuisines. Zora also loves to volunteer and spend her time giving back to the community as she’s been taught to give back and help others. When she grows up, she aspires to go to college and double major in public health and political science. She also aspires to travel the world and explore new places as she loves the outdoors and adventures.
Libanos Yohannes, counselor of traditional Ethiopian culture, language, games, and dance
Libanos was born in Ayehu, Ethiopia and graduated from the University of Addis Ababa in 2013. He was an active student in the University, and participated as being the chairperson of the African AIDS Initiative International, and took part in different kinds of clubs, such as Peace Club, Red Cross, and AIDS Prevention Club. After graduation, Libanos became a journalist for the Ethiopian News Agency. He found himself in the United States when he was reporting The World Indoor International Athletics Championship and he decided to stay here because it was no longer safe for him to return home. Now, he is on the journey of furthering his career in the media world in America. Libanos is always smiling and is a strong believer in the power of a smile.
Eskedar Cochran, Counselor of Ethiopian Culture, Traditional Games and Storytelling, Language and Dance
Eskedar was born and raised in Nazret, Ethiopia until the age of 13. Then she was adopted by an amazing family whom she loves very much. Eskedar has a big family with six siblings, one of them being Addi. She moved to Portland in the fall and loves it very much. She’s currently working and planning on going to PCC in the spring. She enjoys the warm sun, the outdoors, the beach, and tries to be in nature as much as possible. Eskedar also loves singing and enjoying the company of her friends and her kids that bring her lots of joy when she’s around them.
Brook, Counselor of traditional games and music, language and dance
Born and raised in Ethiopia until age 11, Brook has been living and playing in the Portland area since he arrived in the US. His passions include playing sports and dance, and through those avenues he loves to teach, inspire and motivate others. In his spare time, he loves all things outdoors, including camping, hiking and snowboarding.
Nuhamin Eiden, counselor of Ethiopian Culture, Traditional Games and Storytelling, and cuisine
Born and raised in Ethiopia, Nuhamin has been in Oregon for the past 11 years. She works in the public sector, and in her free time, interprets for the courts and volunteers with Unite Oregon. She is married and the proud mother of an almost 5 year old cutie, Nikolas.
Fikeraddis Cochren, Counselor of Ethiopian Culture, Traditional Games and Storytelling, Language and Dance
Born and raised in Nazret, Ethiopia, Addi was adopted at 16 into a beautiful, large family with strong Christian values, which she lives proudly. Addi is presently a student at PCC, working toward her Medical Assistant degree. She has five younger siblings, and absolutely adores spending time with children, along with her passions for music, hiking, and camping, and celebrating the beauty of the outdoors.