The home doesn't have running water, instead a single pipe that runs into a tank outside. We fill buckets and bring it into the house. In my bathroom there is a Western style toilet, but without running water the flush is to get a bucket of water. But when you are on the 3rd storey, all I'm gonna say is they don't call them floaters for nothing.
Bucket showers are really not cool, even with my lovely smelling soaps from Lush.One day I thought I had got a really nice tan, but it turns out it was just a dust-tan. The water goes off for a few days a time. So today I bought bottles of water to wash with.
There is electricity but it goes out 2-3 times a week. There is a collection of books other volunteers have left, I was reading one called Into the Darkness, it won lots of awards so I though I'd give it a try even though crime novels aren't really my thing. I was reading the part were Cathy's ex boyfriend has come out of prison and is going to kill her, she is in her dark apartment and he is waiting there. It was getting really suspensful and then the fucking electricity went off and I nearly had a heart attack. I went to grab my phone but it was dead and had to feel around for a few minutes before I found my matches and candle. The moral of this story is, don't read crime novels with a shit electricity supply.
Sunday, 29 December 2013
David, the punisher.
A new volunteer arrives to work in January, which will be great to have some company and for the kids to have some more one-on-one teaching. Hopefully she isn't such a punish like the last one..
David had been at the home for 4 weeks before I arrived, we were supposed to overlap 1 month but it only ended up being 5 days, he had to fly home early as his wife was sick. But 5 days was more than I could handle, lets just say my goodbye at the airport was pretty enthusiastic.
He was 72 so there was obviously a large generation gap. He is African-American, so you'd think he was wouldn't be so prejudice. He would tell me about life about America when he was growing up and then straight after says things like "watch out for those Muslims, they don't like us Westerners." In fact, he took a round about and more expensive way to get to Ethiopia because he wouldn't fly to Dubai or any of "those Muslim places." Despite 30% of Ethiopia's population being Muslim.
He dropped some other shockers about asylum seekers, and starting making retching noises when I brought up the subject of homosexuality.
He wasn't particularly warm to the children either. I later discovered his reason for coming to Ethiopia was to check it out as a possible place to live, as his pension would stretch 3 times as far here.
Fingers crossed the next volunteer has a little more in common with me!
David had been at the home for 4 weeks before I arrived, we were supposed to overlap 1 month but it only ended up being 5 days, he had to fly home early as his wife was sick. But 5 days was more than I could handle, lets just say my goodbye at the airport was pretty enthusiastic.
He was 72 so there was obviously a large generation gap. He is African-American, so you'd think he was wouldn't be so prejudice. He would tell me about life about America when he was growing up and then straight after says things like "watch out for those Muslims, they don't like us Westerners." In fact, he took a round about and more expensive way to get to Ethiopia because he wouldn't fly to Dubai or any of "those Muslim places." Despite 30% of Ethiopia's population being Muslim.
He dropped some other shockers about asylum seekers, and starting making retching noises when I brought up the subject of homosexuality.
He wasn't particularly warm to the children either. I later discovered his reason for coming to Ethiopia was to check it out as a possible place to live, as his pension would stretch 3 times as far here.
Fingers crossed the next volunteer has a little more in common with me!
All of the boys.
At first I was like sweet, people in this country think I'm a babe. But after 2 months it is SO IRRITATING. I was pretty tired from teaching all week So Saturday I went into town to have a nice quiet lunch by myself.
The guy I sat next to on the bus wouldn't shut up and gave me his number so we can hang out. Walking in town I got approached and yelled at by at least 10 people. It's never malicious but just gets annoying. I finally got to the restaurant, order and beer and burger, the waiter delivered it and then sat down and proceed to talk to me for 30 minutes. DUDE COME ON. Then walking home this guy grabbed me by the arm, rather firmly, and insisted I go to his house to meet him Mum. Yeah nah, you're 60 and have no teeth mate.
The guy I sat next to on the bus wouldn't shut up and gave me his number so we can hang out. Walking in town I got approached and yelled at by at least 10 people. It's never malicious but just gets annoying. I finally got to the restaurant, order and beer and burger, the waiter delivered it and then sat down and proceed to talk to me for 30 minutes. DUDE COME ON. Then walking home this guy grabbed me by the arm, rather firmly, and insisted I go to his house to meet him Mum. Yeah nah, you're 60 and have no teeth mate.
Thursday, 26 December 2013
Christmas in Ethiopia.
Since Christmas is on January 7th in Ethiopia, my day was pretty chilled. I had a few cards to open and had a little Christmas tree up. As is was Wednesday I worked at the feeding center and went for lunch with Mekedi. Spoke to the family on the phone which made me miss home! It just didn't feel like real christmas without baileys and chocolate.
Eyob and I went for dinner the Beer Garden. A German place, which serves stein of their own brewed beer. One of the best I've had in Ethiopia. Had schnitzel and spatzel for dinner. Didn't feel like Christmas but Mum has assured me the Christmas tree will be left up until I get and we will have a second Christmas :)
I'm also looking forward to Genna, the Ethiopian Christmas, and Timkat the Epiphany.
Eyob and I went for dinner the Beer Garden. A German place, which serves stein of their own brewed beer. One of the best I've had in Ethiopia. Had schnitzel and spatzel for dinner. Didn't feel like Christmas but Mum has assured me the Christmas tree will be left up until I get and we will have a second Christmas :)
I'm also looking forward to Genna, the Ethiopian Christmas, and Timkat the Epiphany.
No woman, No cry.
I've got these to Rastefari mates, who confirm every stereotype. Even their names; Solomon and Yohannes.
When I same them last week they asked why I hadn't called in a while, I said I had been busy and Solomon said "Don't worry, no woman no cry."
We got coffee and they talked about Haile Selassie,and the rasta ways. One love, one heart maaaaann.
Solomon offered to show me the Addis nightlife, and since I was a bit of out of the city I could stay at his place.
Share da shelter of his single bed.
(Mum and Dad, it's okay I won't)
When I same them last week they asked why I hadn't called in a while, I said I had been busy and Solomon said "Don't worry, no woman no cry."
We got coffee and they talked about Haile Selassie,and the rasta ways. One love, one heart maaaaann.
Solomon offered to show me the Addis nightlife, and since I was a bit of out of the city I could stay at his place.
Share da shelter of his single bed.
(Mum and Dad, it's okay I won't)
The Kiddies.
There are 15 kids, ages 5-7. Out of the 45 presented to Mercy Home they were the ones that needed help the most.
I've been teaching them for 7 weeks and I can't believe how far they have come. When I got there some of them could sing the alphabet and do some counting. Now they have all learnt the alphabet and the sounds they make, can count up to 100, learnt body parts, colors, shapes, animals and days of the week. And basic English like how old are you, what is your name and how old are you.
In the first week I have them simple puzzles and none of them could do it. They were 6 years old and had never done a puzzle before. All you could here was banging, they were trying to smash the pieces together, and Mekedi just kissing all the pieces. Now they can all do the puzzles, instead of banging its silent because they are concentrating so hard. When I gave them skipping ropes they used them for everything but skipping, but now they are getting pretty good. Also gave them AFL balls, thye are really great at kicking and hand balling. Except for the time it ended up in the toilet, which lucky me got to clean...
The most amazing progress is by Fekadu, he is 6 years old and has some kind of disability. When the board presented his case to Mercy Home they pretty much said he was a lost cause, he couldn't speak or write.
But in just 7 weeks of being in education he can talk now. He recognizes colors and shapes, and is starting to learn the alphabet. He can even draw the letters A and B all by himself. I'm not exactly sure what is going to happen to him next year, whether he will go onto primary school like the other kids.As far as I've heard the only schools for special needs are for the deaf or blind. But if he has come this far in a few weeks, I'm sure he will be great by graduation in September.
I've been teaching them for 7 weeks and I can't believe how far they have come. When I got there some of them could sing the alphabet and do some counting. Now they have all learnt the alphabet and the sounds they make, can count up to 100, learnt body parts, colors, shapes, animals and days of the week. And basic English like how old are you, what is your name and how old are you.
In the first week I have them simple puzzles and none of them could do it. They were 6 years old and had never done a puzzle before. All you could here was banging, they were trying to smash the pieces together, and Mekedi just kissing all the pieces. Now they can all do the puzzles, instead of banging its silent because they are concentrating so hard. When I gave them skipping ropes they used them for everything but skipping, but now they are getting pretty good. Also gave them AFL balls, thye are really great at kicking and hand balling. Except for the time it ended up in the toilet, which lucky me got to clean...
The most amazing progress is by Fekadu, he is 6 years old and has some kind of disability. When the board presented his case to Mercy Home they pretty much said he was a lost cause, he couldn't speak or write.
But in just 7 weeks of being in education he can talk now. He recognizes colors and shapes, and is starting to learn the alphabet. He can even draw the letters A and B all by himself. I'm not exactly sure what is going to happen to him next year, whether he will go onto primary school like the other kids.As far as I've heard the only schools for special needs are for the deaf or blind. But if he has come this far in a few weeks, I'm sure he will be great by graduation in September.
Tuesday, 17 December 2013
Beer, wine and potholes.
Every weekend Eyob, the volunteer coordinator will take me out for dinner. He suggested I try what the locals like to drink, a concoction of beer, wine and sprite. It just tastes like a sweet and shitty version of a shandy. After the first jug I'd had enough, but then he ordered another without me knowing, i felt obliged to drink it.
We had a traditional meal for dinner, injera and wat, which I really enjoyed.
Unfortunately that wasn't the last time I saw my meal that night, as it ended up down the side of Eyobs car on the way home. A combination of beer-wine and potholes is not one I recommend. I vommited out the car not once but a grand total of 3 times.
We had a traditional meal for dinner, injera and wat, which I really enjoyed.
Unfortunately that wasn't the last time I saw my meal that night, as it ended up down the side of Eyobs car on the way home. A combination of beer-wine and potholes is not one I recommend. I vommited out the car not once but a grand total of 3 times.
Faranji! Faranji!
Ethiopia is a really beautiful country. Every evening I watch the sunset go down behind the mountain across from Asko, the colours of the sunset are amazing. It's all become really normal now, donkeys on the highway, monkeys on my balcony and cows at the bus stop. At the local markets on Saturdays baby donkeys sell for the equivalent of $150...I am more than tempted.
Im staying a few kays out of Addis, haven't seen another tourist in Asko yet. Walking around people will yell "Faranji" which means foreigner, "you, you!" or "china/korea!" Most people are just curious of me, or want to practice there English. Kids will dare each other to come up and shake my hand. I also get a few obscure comments, random bits of English they have learnt, some of my favourites have been "nice posture" and "hello sweet pussy."
The roads here and mental, full of potholes and the worlds worst drivers. However despite the craziness it all seems to work and with little accidents. If you are caught by the traffic police there is nothing that slipping 50 birr wont fix, the equivalent of $2.50. At night the traffic cops don't work, I've been advised not to go on the minibuses at night as they turn from 12 seaters, to 25 seaters.
Im staying a few kays out of Addis, haven't seen another tourist in Asko yet. Walking around people will yell "Faranji" which means foreigner, "you, you!" or "china/korea!" Most people are just curious of me, or want to practice there English. Kids will dare each other to come up and shake my hand. I also get a few obscure comments, random bits of English they have learnt, some of my favourites have been "nice posture" and "hello sweet pussy."
The roads here and mental, full of potholes and the worlds worst drivers. However despite the craziness it all seems to work and with little accidents. If you are caught by the traffic police there is nothing that slipping 50 birr wont fix, the equivalent of $2.50. At night the traffic cops don't work, I've been advised not to go on the minibuses at night as they turn from 12 seaters, to 25 seaters.
Sunday, 15 December 2013
Arrival.
After 20 or so hours of travel I arrived in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia. I was meant to be greeted by the volunteer coordinator, after 30 minutes the airport had emptied out and I started to think he wasn't coming. The airport staff offered to make a call for me, we tried all of the numbers, including the "emergency contact" which were all turned off or disconnected. Not very comforting. I was too tired to care so I took a taxi to the supposed address. To my delight the place really did exist- they had just received the wrong flight details. I was greeted by the cook and a 11 year old girl, Deborah who spoke perfect English.
I was taken to my room, which is pretty big. Three bunk beds and a en suite. The kids had just finished class so I went down to meet. There are 15 of them, ages 5-7 and they are so bloody cute. They were very shy around me, until one dared to do a cartwheel and the others followed. For the next 10 minutes they just kept doing cartwheels in a row. I was scared they would give themselves a brain hemorrhage.
Deborah told me the other volunteer was a 19 year old guy from California. Not going to lie, I was a little stoked to be spending the next few weeks with some beach babe.
However when David came down to meet me he was a little older than 19, in fact he was 72. Disappointing.Although he seemed friendly enough.
Later that night Eyob came to see me and tell me about the home. It was really impressive to learn the history, starting off helping a few street children to now supporting over 100 kids.
In my Social Justice degree we often discuss the importance of practical aid, which this NGO is a great example. The organization started off housing street children but it became evident there was a negative impact on relations when they were able to be returned to their families, not to mention dependency issues. So now the home is a school for 15 children, as well as an education they receive 3 meals a day and a yearly allowance for medical support. The program runs for one year, after which they go to public school were the home pays registration fees. A lunch program runs on school days for 52 ex-students to ensure they are being fed, as well as supporting a further 92 with medical checks and treatments.
One of the benefits of smaller NGO's is that you can see exactly where your money has gone and who you are helping. To everyone that donated to the fundraiser, the money is being put to really good use. The kids are too young to understand but this is changing their lives for the better.
I was taken to my room, which is pretty big. Three bunk beds and a en suite. The kids had just finished class so I went down to meet. There are 15 of them, ages 5-7 and they are so bloody cute. They were very shy around me, until one dared to do a cartwheel and the others followed. For the next 10 minutes they just kept doing cartwheels in a row. I was scared they would give themselves a brain hemorrhage.
Deborah told me the other volunteer was a 19 year old guy from California. Not going to lie, I was a little stoked to be spending the next few weeks with some beach babe.
However when David came down to meet me he was a little older than 19, in fact he was 72. Disappointing.Although he seemed friendly enough.
Later that night Eyob came to see me and tell me about the home. It was really impressive to learn the history, starting off helping a few street children to now supporting over 100 kids.
In my Social Justice degree we often discuss the importance of practical aid, which this NGO is a great example. The organization started off housing street children but it became evident there was a negative impact on relations when they were able to be returned to their families, not to mention dependency issues. So now the home is a school for 15 children, as well as an education they receive 3 meals a day and a yearly allowance for medical support. The program runs for one year, after which they go to public school were the home pays registration fees. A lunch program runs on school days for 52 ex-students to ensure they are being fed, as well as supporting a further 92 with medical checks and treatments.
One of the benefits of smaller NGO's is that you can see exactly where your money has gone and who you are helping. To everyone that donated to the fundraiser, the money is being put to really good use. The kids are too young to understand but this is changing their lives for the better.
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