I spent last weekend visiting Harar, a World Heritage (and Peace and Tolerance) city over in the East of the country. It’s reputedly over 1000 years old, and is the 4th holiest Muslim city (after Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem). It’s also the birthplace of Haile Selassie. It involved a slightly gruelling 10 hour bus journey,… Continue reading Harar
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Black Lion
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
Some more pics of the students
Tamrat
Ruz and Temesgen
Deriba, Eden and Alex
Helen
Tadesse
Simretu
Emebet
Abeba
Kidus
Birhane and Mulukesh
Sisay
Simretu, Mekuanit and Tamrat
Zelalem
Mimi
Eden and Alex
Birhane
Latest on life in the hostel
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
If you only read one of my posts…
… 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…
Waiting, and eating…
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…
First week in Addis
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
Some student pics
The ‘Infotainment Club’ who organise periodic events for all of the hostel students
The ‘Medical Group’ – students particularly interested in studying medicine
I think the ‘live, laugh, love’ sign behind says it all about the EEF students
Sorting the lentils
A few early Addis and EEF photos
The ‘street’ the hostel is on
One of the students, Solomon, has created beautiful gardens at the front and back of the hostel (one of the very few green spots in the neighbourhood).
Akeb, one of the hostel cooks
Nicolas, the current hostel manager who is leaving this week
Caspar, the new hostel manager taking over for this year
The ‘gym’
The students made a bonfire, as part of a send-off party for the current hostel manager, Nicolas.
Njera, the staple diet – the students would apparently happily eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner
Arriving in Addis
I’m writing this in the dark, since we’re in the middle of a power cut at the moment (apparently a fairly regular occurrence). Combined with major difficulties in getting internet and phone access so far, not sure when I’ll be posting this ! I arrived into Addis yesterday morning. It was great being met at… Continue reading Arriving in Addis
Alan Rambling 