There is no shortage of web content, column inches of newsprint, or bookshop shelf-space dedicated to ‘choosing the perfect career’, ‘finding your element’, ’discovering your passion’. And trust me, I’ve been drawn in often, in the hope some book somewhere will tell me my true vocation. But if there’s one thing I’ve become convinced of… Continue reading Discovering Your ‘Passion’
Zambia and ‘The Book Bus’
Each day here so far has brought such a completely new set of experiences – so far removed from places I’ve been before – that it’s hard to believe I’ve been here less than a week. I arrived first in Lusaka: a lengthy trip via Addis plus a (longer than planned) stop in Harare. Two… Continue reading Zambia and ‘The Book Bus’
Shift of Direction
I thought I’d start putting one or two updates on here again to share a few things I’m up to over the next couple of weeks. Again, just really a diary, primarily for my own benefit, and to keep some of you posted on what I’m doing; please don’t expect any literary merit… So firstly,… Continue reading Shift of Direction
Ethiopian Education Foundation – Getting Involved
EEF is heavily dependent on the generosity of student sponsors and supporters. I witnessed the life changing impact that the program offers (see my previous post – https://alanmathers.com/2014/05/13/if-you-only-read-one-of-my-posts/ ). And so now, as the 2015 recruitment process begins to kick off, I am making a brazen appeal for others to get involved. Of course, I’m… Continue reading Ethiopian Education Foundation – Getting Involved
Some final EEF student pics
Adding a few photos from my last day:
Traditional coffee ceremony
Traditional coffee ceremony
Being presented with a lovely Ethiopian scarf
Last post from Addis
I can’t believe my two months here are up: in ways, I feel I’m just beginning to properly settle in and it’s definitely going to be hard to leave. In the hostel, the past couple of weeks have been dominated by the national exams – Grade 10 (GCSEs) and Grade 12 (A-levels), plus the end… Continue reading Last post from Addis
Harar
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
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
Alan Rambling 