I ended up spending two days this week at one of the main hospitals here, the ‘Black Lion’. I was bringing along a student who has post polio paralysis and would benefit greatly from a tendon transfer operation. It was an experience. I don’t want to paint a damning picture of everything about Black Lion:… Continue reading Black Lion

So almost half way through my time here and I have to say I feel like I’m just getting settled in. It’s going to be a bit of a wrench to leave: spending time with the students is really rewarding and I’m very much enjoying Addis.  Still got just over another month to enjoy, I… Continue reading Latest on life in the hostel

… I’d like you to hear this quick example of the type of backgrounds some of the students at the EEF (Ethiopian Education Foundation) hostel here come from. I’ve changed the name of this student, who is currently here at the hostel, to protect his confidentiality. Samuel was 13 when his primary school brought him to… Continue reading If you only read one of my posts…

There are loads of things I’m really enjoying in Addis. But there are a few quirks that I’m struggling with.  One is the enormous amount of just waiting around you seem to have to do. I spent most of the morning in the courtrooms one day this week, waiting for an official piece of paper… Continue reading Waiting, and eating…

It’s now over a week since I arrived in Addis: it’s flown in some ways, but at the same time it feels like I’ve been here an age. Most of the first few days were spent getting a handover from the previous hostel manager, who left last Thursday, and on trying to get to grips… Continue reading First week in Addis