I woke up this morning realizing we are starting our journey home today. I was saddened by this. I have truly fallen in love with Ethiopia and do not want to leave. Eating breakfast, I realized it would be the last breakfast we would have together as a team--all of us being together.
After our team devotion time, we went shopping at a market to get any gifts or anything we wanted to buy. This was my first experience we having to bargain for a price. You already know you are being overcharged as it is, so you have to get them to come down in price. You also know this is how they make money to support their family so you don't want to come too far down.
We went out to dinner as a team. Dinner was a great time even though in the back of my mind I knew this was the last time we would all be together. After dinner we had to say some goodbyes. This was sad. The trip was coming to an end weather we wanted it to or not.
After arriving back at the guest house to pack and rest a bit before the flight, the staff had prepared coffee for us. The trip really was ending.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
July 12, 2008
This morning we went back to Hannah's Orphanage to help the children with their chores. We spent some time at the houses, but then went ot hte compound to help clean. We did laundry for almost 4 hours in the pouring rain. And it isn't like laundry here. It is buckets with soap and water and then buckets with water to rinse. It was long hard work. The rain made it so much more difficult. After laundry, we went inside and the children sang songs for us. we then sang a few songs for then.
After eating lunch at the guest house, we left to go somewhere that was a surprise. It was outside the city so it was a drive. We arrived to find out we would be riding donkeys! This is an experience I will never forget! The donkey were bare back. My donkey was a little crazy and ran towards the river and almost tossed me in the water. I then proceeded to fall of the donkey. At least I can say I have ridden a donkey.
After eating lunch at the guest house, we left to go somewhere that was a surprise. It was outside the city so it was a drive. We arrived to find out we would be riding donkeys! This is an experience I will never forget! The donkey were bare back. My donkey was a little crazy and ran towards the river and almost tossed me in the water. I then proceeded to fall of the donkey. At least I can say I have ridden a donkey.
July 11, 2008
In the morning we went to the Fistula Hospital here in Addis. Before our tour we learned about what they do. The hospital performs surgeries on women who have injuries from giving birth. They can sometimes get tears during childbirth and then have no control over bodily fluids leaking out. These women are shunned by society, their community, and their families. Since so many people are uneducated about it, they are seen to be cursed. The hospital performs as many surgeries as neccessary until the patient is healed--if htey can be healed. They also educate the family about it being a medical condition so they can go back and educate the community. The goeal is to get them back to their homes without worry of shunning. If this is not possible or if they annot be healed, the hospital trains them as nurse's aides and provides them with housing and a job.
In the afternoon, we went back to Hannah's Orphanage. I was video taping the arts and crafts stations, but we were running late on time and had to help with the face painting. It was so much fun. We then went to see where the children live. I was actually surprised at how nice they were. Only 2 people to a bed, a dinning room table, and they really weren't that small. There are about 6 or so in each home that live together.
In the afternoon, we went back to Hannah's Orphanage. I was video taping the arts and crafts stations, but we were running late on time and had to help with the face painting. It was so much fun. We then went to see where the children live. I was actually surprised at how nice they were. Only 2 people to a bed, a dinning room table, and they really weren't that small. There are about 6 or so in each home that live together.
July 10, 2008
Today was a mixed day. I really loved the morning, but the afternoon was a little difficult. In the morning we went to AHOPE, and orphanage for HIV positive children. I was not sure how I was going to react to the situation. When we got there most of the childrne were in their classroom, only the little ones were out. THere was one little boy who was very mellow and hung out with Jessica mostly. He has been adopted and will be going home to Colorado as soon as all the paperwork is complete. There was also a little boy and a little girl who are siblings and they have been adopted together and are going to Spain. How wonderful is that? It's wonderful because people are willing to adopt HIV positive chilerne, but it's amazing that people are willing to adopt a sibset.
After being there for about 5 minutes, you forget the children have HIV. They are no different than any other child. They sill play, laugh, and are full of love. They are just sick. The older children came out of their classrooms and we all played for a while. Then we all went inside and the children sang for us. It was adorable. They sang "Twinkle, Twinkle" and "Itsy, Bitsy, Spider" in English. we then sang some songs back to them--it was great.
We then went back out to play a little longer. As I was walking around, a little boy started walking towards me. He put his hand up and just looked at me. All he wanted was to be picked up. So, I held him for a little wile. He is so sick. Definitely the sickest one there. We just sat for a while. That is really all he wanted--to be held. I think when we all are sick we want to be held and know we will be better one day. I pray that You heal this little boy from every ailment he has. Heal him so he can run around and play with the other children. He is such a beautiful little boy.
In the afternoon, we went to Hannah's Orphanage. These children are orphans, but live in foster care homes and are just at the orphanage during the day for school and such. I found my time there to be difficult only because of the language barrier. The children were in different discussion groups. Each group had 5 questions they had to answer. Elizabeth and I were so confused. I was a little frustrated not at the children, but at the language situation. One boy was trying so hard to translate for us. Even though his English was wonderful, it was just difficult to understand.
It was another good day, though. I'm taking in so much. I'm learning and experiencing so many new things. I'm just really loving my time here and I'm not yet ready to go home. My heart and spirit just yearn to be here.
After being there for about 5 minutes, you forget the children have HIV. They are no different than any other child. They sill play, laugh, and are full of love. They are just sick. The older children came out of their classrooms and we all played for a while. Then we all went inside and the children sang for us. It was adorable. They sang "Twinkle, Twinkle" and "Itsy, Bitsy, Spider" in English. we then sang some songs back to them--it was great.
We then went back out to play a little longer. As I was walking around, a little boy started walking towards me. He put his hand up and just looked at me. All he wanted was to be picked up. So, I held him for a little wile. He is so sick. Definitely the sickest one there. We just sat for a while. That is really all he wanted--to be held. I think when we all are sick we want to be held and know we will be better one day. I pray that You heal this little boy from every ailment he has. Heal him so he can run around and play with the other children. He is such a beautiful little boy.
In the afternoon, we went to Hannah's Orphanage. These children are orphans, but live in foster care homes and are just at the orphanage during the day for school and such. I found my time there to be difficult only because of the language barrier. The children were in different discussion groups. Each group had 5 questions they had to answer. Elizabeth and I were so confused. I was a little frustrated not at the children, but at the language situation. One boy was trying so hard to translate for us. Even though his English was wonderful, it was just difficult to understand.
It was another good day, though. I'm taking in so much. I'm learning and experiencing so many new things. I'm just really loving my time here and I'm not yet ready to go home. My heart and spirit just yearn to be here.
July 9, 2008
I was really looking forward to this morning. We went to the transition home for America World Adoption Agency. I loved it there! All the children there have been matched up with families and are just waiting for all the paperwork to be finalized so their parents can come pick them up. THe children are so loved and well cared for.
I was holding a baby boy just about the entire time we were there. He was so cute. I fed him and then he threw up on me. It wasn't really that big of a deal--things happen. I really didn't want to leave the transitional home. I could have stayed all day just holding that baby.
After we left, we drove to the study center in Kechene. After what happened yesterday, I really did not want to be there. We did the holiday day with them and honestly I couldn't wait to get out of there. We did our skit and taught them about Easter. I helped hide the eggs for the hunt. I was really drained by that whole thing, too. We then taught them about Valentine's Day. The kids made Valentines for someone they love. We then filled out the Valentines, that were made from a group of women as donations for the trip, in Amharic. We wrote: Happy Valentine's Day. Jesus Loves You. I'm sure most of them did not say that as Amharic is a very difficult language to write.
The staff then invited us to have coffee. This is an honor because in their culture the coffee is a long process. It's more of a ceremony. The smell of the beans roasting was amazing. The coffee was really good. After we finished with the coffee, we brought 2 of the children home. WE were invited into their homes. The first house was much like I expected. One room where everything is done. Everything from sleeping, to living, to working, to learning. The kitchen was outside, but had a tin roof over it and some type of siding. The next house we went to was nicer than I thought it would be. There was furniture, multiple rooms, and even a t.v. There were still problems with the house leaking and being too small for the 11 people who lived there.
It was hard to see these living conditions, but I think I was somewhat prepared for it. Through my research I learned what housing was like here. Even though I know all this, you still are not 100% prepared to experience it. By the time we were at the 2nd house the neighbors realized we were there. There were people everywhere asking for food and money. It was really overwhelming. There were too many people for me to handle. As we were walking out, children began following us and singing song to us in English. A man came near our group and yelled "get out!". Even though we are there with pure and nice intentions we are still not welcomed by some.
We only have 4 more days before we leave on Monday. This trip is going by so quickly. I am not ready to go home yet. I am really dreading going back to my old life. I don't really like anything about my life back home. There is nothing there that I want my life to be about. I'm not doing anything I'm passionate about at home. Tonight at dinner Geoffrey said do what you are passionate about. I'm passionate about Africa and children--particularly orphans. My passions are what I am doing here in Ethiopia.
I was holding a baby boy just about the entire time we were there. He was so cute. I fed him and then he threw up on me. It wasn't really that big of a deal--things happen. I really didn't want to leave the transitional home. I could have stayed all day just holding that baby.
After we left, we drove to the study center in Kechene. After what happened yesterday, I really did not want to be there. We did the holiday day with them and honestly I couldn't wait to get out of there. We did our skit and taught them about Easter. I helped hide the eggs for the hunt. I was really drained by that whole thing, too. We then taught them about Valentine's Day. The kids made Valentines for someone they love. We then filled out the Valentines, that were made from a group of women as donations for the trip, in Amharic. We wrote: Happy Valentine's Day. Jesus Loves You. I'm sure most of them did not say that as Amharic is a very difficult language to write.
The staff then invited us to have coffee. This is an honor because in their culture the coffee is a long process. It's more of a ceremony. The smell of the beans roasting was amazing. The coffee was really good. After we finished with the coffee, we brought 2 of the children home. WE were invited into their homes. The first house was much like I expected. One room where everything is done. Everything from sleeping, to living, to working, to learning. The kitchen was outside, but had a tin roof over it and some type of siding. The next house we went to was nicer than I thought it would be. There was furniture, multiple rooms, and even a t.v. There were still problems with the house leaking and being too small for the 11 people who lived there.
It was hard to see these living conditions, but I think I was somewhat prepared for it. Through my research I learned what housing was like here. Even though I know all this, you still are not 100% prepared to experience it. By the time we were at the 2nd house the neighbors realized we were there. There were people everywhere asking for food and money. It was really overwhelming. There were too many people for me to handle. As we were walking out, children began following us and singing song to us in English. A man came near our group and yelled "get out!". Even though we are there with pure and nice intentions we are still not welcomed by some.
We only have 4 more days before we leave on Monday. This trip is going by so quickly. I am not ready to go home yet. I am really dreading going back to my old life. I don't really like anything about my life back home. There is nothing there that I want my life to be about. I'm not doing anything I'm passionate about at home. Tonight at dinner Geoffrey said do what you are passionate about. I'm passionate about Africa and children--particularly orphans. My passions are what I am doing here in Ethiopia.
July 8, 2008
Today was a tough day. The morning was wonderful because I got to see a somewhat of a solution to the poverty problem. We went to Selam which is a vocational school. They are teaching men and women a trade. The man who gave us the tour said with this training they can make up to 7 times more than the average Ethiopian income per month. How wonderful is that? They are opening so many doors for these people than they would normally have. This is helping them get out of poverty, but it is also helping their families who would have suffered in poverty if it hadn't been for a place like Selam.
It is just so nice to see a place that is looking at the problem and coming up with a solution. They aren't just putting a band-aide on a symptom of the problem. They are allowing these people to help themselves and better themselves. They aren't just throwing money at them that will feed them for a day; they are teaching them skills that will help feed them for a lifetime.
In the afternoon, we went back to the study center in Kechene. The kids were happy to see us and some of them remembered us from Friday. I was so tired from not sleeping well last night that I just didn't have the right attitude going in. We played for a little while in the year. The children were very active today which is a huge contrast from Friday.
We broke the children up into groups to play games. Jessica and I played Hot Potato with our group. The children loved the music! They love to dance! It was fun with the smaller group--not so overwhelming. we then brought the kids over to join the other groups All the kids wanted a balloon. They went crazy! They started getting really mad when I said we were all out. It turned into a mad house. It was borderline violent. One little boy, probably 10-12ish, grabbed my arm and would not let go. He started squeezing harder and harder. I had to really push him off of me. I felt bad, but I know it was going to be the only thing to get him off of me. At that moment, I was just so overwhelmed by the whole situation I wanted to leave. I was not having a good time and found myself becoming angry at the children. I hated that. I don't want to be mad at these kids. It was just a very difficult situation. It was definitely a learning experience though. I know what we shouldn't do next time. We definitely need to take a different approach when we go back tomorrow.
It is just so nice to see a place that is looking at the problem and coming up with a solution. They aren't just putting a band-aide on a symptom of the problem. They are allowing these people to help themselves and better themselves. They aren't just throwing money at them that will feed them for a day; they are teaching them skills that will help feed them for a lifetime.
In the afternoon, we went back to the study center in Kechene. The kids were happy to see us and some of them remembered us from Friday. I was so tired from not sleeping well last night that I just didn't have the right attitude going in. We played for a little while in the year. The children were very active today which is a huge contrast from Friday.
We broke the children up into groups to play games. Jessica and I played Hot Potato with our group. The children loved the music! They love to dance! It was fun with the smaller group--not so overwhelming. we then brought the kids over to join the other groups All the kids wanted a balloon. They went crazy! They started getting really mad when I said we were all out. It turned into a mad house. It was borderline violent. One little boy, probably 10-12ish, grabbed my arm and would not let go. He started squeezing harder and harder. I had to really push him off of me. I felt bad, but I know it was going to be the only thing to get him off of me. At that moment, I was just so overwhelmed by the whole situation I wanted to leave. I was not having a good time and found myself becoming angry at the children. I hated that. I don't want to be mad at these kids. It was just a very difficult situation. It was definitely a learning experience though. I know what we shouldn't do next time. We definitely need to take a different approach when we go back tomorrow.
July 7, 2008
Today was an amazing day. It started out very early. I ws up at 6am! We had to leave by 7:30am if we were to be on time for the day. Breakfast was toast and tea since we were in a hurry. After breakfast, we found out because of all the rain we would not be able to go to the lake like we had planned. The roads were bad enough to get there and with the rain it would just be too dangerous. Geoffrey said we would be going to the waterfall instead.
We went on a drive that I truly believed we would not make it out alive. The roads were really bad and I thought we were definitely be getting stuck. Since our bus driver was absolutely nuts, we almost hit a people and almost ran over some animals.
We went up to this overlook and the view was amazing. Ethiopia is gorgeous! I can't even begin to describe it. We went to the waterfall, but couldn't go in because they were going to overcharge us because we are forengies (foreigners).
We drove back to Addis. We picked up a couple of people who needed a ride. The cutest little boy was on the bus. He was just striking. He reached out for my hand and would not let go the entire time he was on the bus.
Once back in Addis, we went to Kids Care orphanage. I loved my time there. I grabbed a baby and just help him. It was wonderful. I probably held him for over an hour. There was a spot on the back of his head that was bald because you know he is laying down most of the day. I totally fell in love with that little boy. Even though the house mothers care for the babies, there just aren't enough hand to provide the kind of attention these children need. They just want to be held. They just need to be loved. They just deserve a family.
It was an amazing and wonderful day. I aw both sides of Ethiopia's beauty--the land and the babies. Everything about this country is gorgeous and I just love it so much.
We went on a drive that I truly believed we would not make it out alive. The roads were really bad and I thought we were definitely be getting stuck. Since our bus driver was absolutely nuts, we almost hit a people and almost ran over some animals.
We went up to this overlook and the view was amazing. Ethiopia is gorgeous! I can't even begin to describe it. We went to the waterfall, but couldn't go in because they were going to overcharge us because we are forengies (foreigners).
We drove back to Addis. We picked up a couple of people who needed a ride. The cutest little boy was on the bus. He was just striking. He reached out for my hand and would not let go the entire time he was on the bus.
Once back in Addis, we went to Kids Care orphanage. I loved my time there. I grabbed a baby and just help him. It was wonderful. I probably held him for over an hour. There was a spot on the back of his head that was bald because you know he is laying down most of the day. I totally fell in love with that little boy. Even though the house mothers care for the babies, there just aren't enough hand to provide the kind of attention these children need. They just want to be held. They just need to be loved. They just deserve a family.
It was an amazing and wonderful day. I aw both sides of Ethiopia's beauty--the land and the babies. Everything about this country is gorgeous and I just love it so much.
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