Coming back has been pretty difficult. It was great to see my family and friends in Perth. But now I feel like where ever I go I'm going to be away from one of my families, and constantly worrying about all the kids.
In my first week back I also came across two absolute fuckheads that made we want to get a taxi straight to the airport and leave.
A guy overheard me talking about my volunteer experience and immediately lumped me into the category of "voluntourists" such as the VESA programs which spend one week "volunteering" and one week partying. This dude went as far as saying that I had no impact on the kids lives and that was taking jobs from local people. And also that "world vision spend money on giving out bibles."
I was at an absolute loss for words as I didn't think I'd have to defend myself after my last 3 months.
Another was a lady I met out on night. I tried to start a conversation and she just stared straight thew me and walked off. I learnt later that I need to earn her approval and maybe on our 5th or 6th encounter she will be nice to me.
Reverse culture shock isn't something I thought would affect me so much. Coming from a place where the people have so little but are so loving, accepting and appreciative, to a society where people live in luxury but won't even grant the human decency to talk to one another.
A lot of people have asked what I am going to do now that I am home. Well I have a year and a half left of university studying a Social Justice major. I want to work in international aid and specially involved in childs rights and protection. Hopefully land a position at an NGO next year when I graduate, possibly end up living in Ethiopia!
I'm going to keep this blog going with updates and fund-raising projects for the Mercy Children's Home. Planning on printing my Ethiopia trips photographs in a photo zine and selling it as a small fundraiser for the home.
Will also be starting a new blog as part of my university assignment, taking a look at the current conflicts in the Middle East.
Friday, 28 February 2014
Leaving.
After getting back from the Simien Mountains I only had 2 days left at the home. If I could have extended my visa I wouldn't have left for at least another month. I feel so at home in Ethiopia and can genuinely say these people I've met feel like family to me. I feel so guilty leaving all of them and children behind and returning back to my life.
Mekdi and I had a conversation which was pretty depressing. Her sister in an unskilled worker and moved to South Sudan to find work, now with the troubles in South Sudan is forced to move back. Mekdi asked if I could possible send an invitation or reference so she can get a visa. However it doesn't work like that and would be near impossible for her to get a visa. Even Mekdi expressed how her life will always be the same, being on the same salary for the last 6 years and probably will be forever. There is no moving up or getting a better life, this was it.
saying goodbye was incredibly difficult. We told the children the day before. Gadesa, the oldest of the kids was quiet upset and wouldn't let go of me.
On my last day Lori got the kids to draw pictures of me, the kids were pretty confused when they would show me their work and I would start crying.
It was then time for the kids to have their nap, which provided a handy opportunity so sneak away. After lots of hugs and kisses I put them to bed for the last time.
Saying goodbye to the ladies at the school was just as hard. I bought them some little gifts like a framed picture of all of us. I bought Negest a new phone as hers was held together with a bandaid and surprised Mekdi by giving her my iphone. I'd never seen Buzae emotional but she broke down crying when I said goodbye to her.
Elias, the little toddler was having fun wheeling around my suitcase and Eyob came to drive me to the airport.
I started crying in the car and didn't stop until late in my flight to Dubai.
The only thing that really got me through it was imaging coming back at the end of the year and seeing all the progress the kids have made and them heading off to primary school.
Mekdi and I had a conversation which was pretty depressing. Her sister in an unskilled worker and moved to South Sudan to find work, now with the troubles in South Sudan is forced to move back. Mekdi asked if I could possible send an invitation or reference so she can get a visa. However it doesn't work like that and would be near impossible for her to get a visa. Even Mekdi expressed how her life will always be the same, being on the same salary for the last 6 years and probably will be forever. There is no moving up or getting a better life, this was it.
saying goodbye was incredibly difficult. We told the children the day before. Gadesa, the oldest of the kids was quiet upset and wouldn't let go of me.
On my last day Lori got the kids to draw pictures of me, the kids were pretty confused when they would show me their work and I would start crying.
It was then time for the kids to have their nap, which provided a handy opportunity so sneak away. After lots of hugs and kisses I put them to bed for the last time.
Saying goodbye to the ladies at the school was just as hard. I bought them some little gifts like a framed picture of all of us. I bought Negest a new phone as hers was held together with a bandaid and surprised Mekdi by giving her my iphone. I'd never seen Buzae emotional but she broke down crying when I said goodbye to her.
Elias, the little toddler was having fun wheeling around my suitcase and Eyob came to drive me to the airport.
I started crying in the car and didn't stop until late in my flight to Dubai.
The only thing that really got me through it was imaging coming back at the end of the year and seeing all the progress the kids have made and them heading off to primary school.
Simien Mountains.
My 3 day Simien Mountain trek was absolutely amazing. It was more difficult that what i thought I was signing up for. Especially the 8 hour trek on the last day, walking uphill for almost 2 hours, and then back down the other side. It was so steep I had to crawl on my bum to get down some parts. The altitude made me loose my breathe pretty quickly. However this all added to the feeling of accomplishment when I reach the camps.
We had mules to carry our packs and on the second day I joked "where is the beer mule" and to my surprise there was actually crates of beer at the camp site. So we all enjoyed a couple of St Georges and watched the sunset from a beautiful spot.
My trekking group was amazing. One of the best parts about travelling is meeting other people. Eric was an American guy who had been to nearly every single country, so it was great hearing his stories and inspiring my future trips.
There was a New Zealand couple as well, so there was a lot of "you're a convict/you're a sheep shagger" banter happening. Also the Italian babe who added to the beautiful scenery. What a hot piece of ass.
Unfortunately did not spot the Ethiopian Wolf, only 60 left so would have been great to see one. However did see the geleda baboon and got some amazing pictures!
By the 4th morning I was pretty knackered and so dirty. I wore long pants the whole time but my legs were cover with dust.
Such an awesome experience for my first trek, can't wait to go on more trekking adventures!
We had mules to carry our packs and on the second day I joked "where is the beer mule" and to my surprise there was actually crates of beer at the camp site. So we all enjoyed a couple of St Georges and watched the sunset from a beautiful spot.
My trekking group was amazing. One of the best parts about travelling is meeting other people. Eric was an American guy who had been to nearly every single country, so it was great hearing his stories and inspiring my future trips.
There was a New Zealand couple as well, so there was a lot of "you're a convict/you're a sheep shagger" banter happening. Also the Italian babe who added to the beautiful scenery. What a hot piece of ass.
Unfortunately did not spot the Ethiopian Wolf, only 60 left so would have been great to see one. However did see the geleda baboon and got some amazing pictures!
By the 4th morning I was pretty knackered and so dirty. I wore long pants the whole time but my legs were cover with dust.
Such an awesome experience for my first trek, can't wait to go on more trekking adventures!
Wednesday, 22 January 2014
Gondar.
Flew north of Addis Ababa early this morning to a place called Gondar. Organised a 4 day trek in the Simien Mountains. So excited to see the gelada monkey and walia. 8 hours trekking though, RIP me.
Feeding Center.
Every week at lunch time I volunteer at a feeding centre once or twice a week. It's a pretty amazing project, it feeds the homeless 3 times a day and at lunch serves 800 meals alone, 5 days a week.
As much as I love teaching it's great to get away for a few hours.
The volunteers fold injera, the national dish which is like a pancake. I also got to work up the front on the pass, collecting tokens and handing out the meals.
It felt really good to be working there and helping the homeless. There are so many beggars and being a faranji I get targeted a lot. As a rule I don't give money to beggars, because it encourages be begging culture. You often see mothers sitting on the side of the road and their children as young as 3 years old will come up and say "one money one money, sister sister." Which is really heartbreaking to see. I cannot judge because my circumstances are wildly different but it would take a lot for me to teach my child to go begging.
Apparently begging is very good business, some sell up their farms to move to the cities and beg. And having a young child is only going to earn you more.
When you are in the mini vans you will be targeted for money. When all the passengers turn around to look at you it's easy to give in and give our spare change away.
In Lalibela young children run scams. They will ask you to buy them a book, which sounds reasonable, but take you to a shop which is in on the scams.
I can't even imagine the life ahead of these children, who are taught to beg from the age of 3.
As much as I love teaching it's great to get away for a few hours.
The volunteers fold injera, the national dish which is like a pancake. I also got to work up the front on the pass, collecting tokens and handing out the meals.
It felt really good to be working there and helping the homeless. There are so many beggars and being a faranji I get targeted a lot. As a rule I don't give money to beggars, because it encourages be begging culture. You often see mothers sitting on the side of the road and their children as young as 3 years old will come up and say "one money one money, sister sister." Which is really heartbreaking to see. I cannot judge because my circumstances are wildly different but it would take a lot for me to teach my child to go begging.
Apparently begging is very good business, some sell up their farms to move to the cities and beg. And having a young child is only going to earn you more.
When you are in the mini vans you will be targeted for money. When all the passengers turn around to look at you it's easy to give in and give our spare change away.
In Lalibela young children run scams. They will ask you to buy them a book, which sounds reasonable, but take you to a shop which is in on the scams.
I can't even imagine the life ahead of these children, who are taught to beg from the age of 3.
Monday, 20 January 2014
Medihanit
For the last 9 years my family has sponsored a child through World Vision. First was Nesanet. I remember my Mum and I picking her photo out in the shopping centre. She is the same age as me, at 10 years old she wasn't receiving an education until we sponsorred her. Recently Nesanet has left the Kochere Area Development in Ethiopia. I was told by staff that she voluntarily moved away and married out of love.
So we began to sponsor Medhanit, a 12 year old Ethiopian girl in the same program. I organised to meet her and travelled 8 hours by car to meet her last week.
Meeting her was one of the most incredible experiences. I went to her home were her family served me coffee. The coffee is part of the income scheme, and one the best coffee regions in the world. Yirgachef region coffee if anyone if familiar with that.
A translator helped me fill in the gaps where my Amahric failed. Medhanit was apprecitative but a bit shy. It was her parents reaction that was most touching. Her Mother hugged me and held me for a long time thanking me. Her Father too was very emotional. I gave them a bag with clothes, books and school supplies which they very incredibly grateful to receive. Inexpensive items that would be taken for granted for most people but can make a difference in a child's life.
Medihanit is grade 4, her mother grade 5. With the help of World Vision they can continue recieving an education without worrying about earning money to eat. The Kochere Area Development Program supports 3,849 children. This program is one of 70 projects in Ethiopia alone. As well as supporting children they work on several other projects such as food and water security, education and health.
I visited the high school (caused a bit of a ruckus amoung the grade 12 boys, not expecting a white girl to stroll into their math lesson). It was built in 2005, before this there was not high school or prepatory school for university. Students would have to travel to the nearest school which was a 3 hour drive away, or most commonly they would drop out. Now 1,500 can receive a higher education and have the opportunity to go to Dilla University, in the next town. This was built with the money from Australian sponsors and is fullfilling a great need in the community.
A third of the students are girls, an impressive number for a rural town. I hope that one day in the future Medhanit and her Mother can go on to university if they wish to do so.
Sponsoring a child is just $40 a month, if you break it down thats is a few coffees or a pint a week. Very managable between a family or a few friends. If you don't fancy a contract there are some great donations, as little as $5. You can pick to buy school supplies or even donkeys for a family.
I felt so proud to be driving around in a World Vision vehicle and hanging out in their office. Hopefully after I finish my Social Justice degree at university, I can change that visitor badge for a career at an amazing NGO such as this one.
So we began to sponsor Medhanit, a 12 year old Ethiopian girl in the same program. I organised to meet her and travelled 8 hours by car to meet her last week.
Meeting her was one of the most incredible experiences. I went to her home were her family served me coffee. The coffee is part of the income scheme, and one the best coffee regions in the world. Yirgachef region coffee if anyone if familiar with that.
A translator helped me fill in the gaps where my Amahric failed. Medhanit was apprecitative but a bit shy. It was her parents reaction that was most touching. Her Mother hugged me and held me for a long time thanking me. Her Father too was very emotional. I gave them a bag with clothes, books and school supplies which they very incredibly grateful to receive. Inexpensive items that would be taken for granted for most people but can make a difference in a child's life.
Medihanit is grade 4, her mother grade 5. With the help of World Vision they can continue recieving an education without worrying about earning money to eat. The Kochere Area Development Program supports 3,849 children. This program is one of 70 projects in Ethiopia alone. As well as supporting children they work on several other projects such as food and water security, education and health.
I visited the high school (caused a bit of a ruckus amoung the grade 12 boys, not expecting a white girl to stroll into their math lesson). It was built in 2005, before this there was not high school or prepatory school for university. Students would have to travel to the nearest school which was a 3 hour drive away, or most commonly they would drop out. Now 1,500 can receive a higher education and have the opportunity to go to Dilla University, in the next town. This was built with the money from Australian sponsors and is fullfilling a great need in the community.
A third of the students are girls, an impressive number for a rural town. I hope that one day in the future Medhanit and her Mother can go on to university if they wish to do so.
Sponsoring a child is just $40 a month, if you break it down thats is a few coffees or a pint a week. Very managable between a family or a few friends. If you don't fancy a contract there are some great donations, as little as $5. You can pick to buy school supplies or even donkeys for a family.
I felt so proud to be driving around in a World Vision vehicle and hanging out in their office. Hopefully after I finish my Social Justice degree at university, I can change that visitor badge for a career at an amazing NGO such as this one.
Rant.
In the last year I have spent 5 months aborad. I've always felt really proud and entitled to this because I worked really hard and paid for it myself. Most people my age spend their money on cars and clubbing, or were simply handed it by their parents. Even during highschool I've been committed to travelling.
And then I get to Ethiopia and that sense of pride and entitlment disapeared. People in this country work incredibly hard just to feed their families. They wouldn't dream of going travelling in Ethiopia, never mind the world.
I was told that a waiter will earn $50 a week. I earn that in 2 hours doing the same job.
It just goes to show how the world is structured to allow poverty.
It's easy to forget that we are the richest in the world. Rich does not necessarily mean mansions and sports cars. All of my friends, family, people I went to school with and work with, we make up the richest in the world.
Because of this I think we all have a responsibility. It doesn't have to mean dedicating your life to charity or selling your house. But simple things such as our power to vote.
I hope anyone that voted liberal did it out of pure ignorance and not an intellectual decision. Since liberal was elected they have dissolved AusAID- our governments aid program, instead including it in foreign affairs and trade. They have cut $4.5 billion in international aid over the next four years, not million, BILLIONS. I don't want to even think about how many lives that equates to letting die from preventable causes.
Australia is one of the wealthiest countries in the world but we are so reluctant to share that with those that are suffering in the world.
And "stop the boats." Anyone that can possible support turning away genuine political and economic does not deserve to live in Australia. Especially when it is based on the ridiculous notion that because they follow Islam inherently puts them at risk of being a terrorist. Or that they are "skipping a que" to get on the dole.
Poverty shouldn't be the sole responsibility of NGOs. The very least thing that Australians can do is lobby for policies that protect human rights.
Ethiopia has one of the largest number of NGOs in the world and yet millions still suffer. It scares me to think of the countries with little or no international aid such as Somalia and the DRC.
The Millennium Development goals seem to be completely forgotten. The aim was for countries to give 0.7% of our gross national income by 2015. Australia currently gives 0.37% and has no plans to increase that number to reach the global standard. It's pretty embarrassing to be living in such a selfish country.
Hopefully in my lifetime I will witness a shift in thinking and a greater concern for human rights.
Apologies for such a fucking grim post but I am returning to Australia in a weeks time and think it will be very difficult to readjust.
And then I get to Ethiopia and that sense of pride and entitlment disapeared. People in this country work incredibly hard just to feed their families. They wouldn't dream of going travelling in Ethiopia, never mind the world.
I was told that a waiter will earn $50 a week. I earn that in 2 hours doing the same job.
It just goes to show how the world is structured to allow poverty.
It's easy to forget that we are the richest in the world. Rich does not necessarily mean mansions and sports cars. All of my friends, family, people I went to school with and work with, we make up the richest in the world.
Because of this I think we all have a responsibility. It doesn't have to mean dedicating your life to charity or selling your house. But simple things such as our power to vote.
I hope anyone that voted liberal did it out of pure ignorance and not an intellectual decision. Since liberal was elected they have dissolved AusAID- our governments aid program, instead including it in foreign affairs and trade. They have cut $4.5 billion in international aid over the next four years, not million, BILLIONS. I don't want to even think about how many lives that equates to letting die from preventable causes.
Australia is one of the wealthiest countries in the world but we are so reluctant to share that with those that are suffering in the world.
And "stop the boats." Anyone that can possible support turning away genuine political and economic does not deserve to live in Australia. Especially when it is based on the ridiculous notion that because they follow Islam inherently puts them at risk of being a terrorist. Or that they are "skipping a que" to get on the dole.
Poverty shouldn't be the sole responsibility of NGOs. The very least thing that Australians can do is lobby for policies that protect human rights.
Ethiopia has one of the largest number of NGOs in the world and yet millions still suffer. It scares me to think of the countries with little or no international aid such as Somalia and the DRC.
The Millennium Development goals seem to be completely forgotten. The aim was for countries to give 0.7% of our gross national income by 2015. Australia currently gives 0.37% and has no plans to increase that number to reach the global standard. It's pretty embarrassing to be living in such a selfish country.
Hopefully in my lifetime I will witness a shift in thinking and a greater concern for human rights.
Apologies for such a fucking grim post but I am returning to Australia in a weeks time and think it will be very difficult to readjust.
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