I would like to say a very special thanks to TalkTools and SuperDuper, Inc. for their very generous contributions to my work.  I sent a rather presumptuous 'wish list' of supplies needed , and within a matter of days, BOTH companies had delivered huge boxes of assessment and therapy tools that have been so helpful to my work !

Day / Night 2

February 22

I had a productive day today (considering I had probably 7 hours of sleep in a 36 hour period). 

I got a cell phone and wrote emails !  That may not seem like a lot, but this literally took from 10 am until 4 pm.   When you get a SIM card for your cell phone in Ethiopia, the new laws require you to have 2 passport-size photos and your passport.  It usually takes 2 days just to receive the photos.  

Jo, one of the coordinators from CHSFS, came to meet with me to discuss what she thought was going to happen for the next three weeks.  When she found out what we were doing today, she suggested that I go to the office to see if they could take the photos.  So, we jumped in her car and went to the office (it actually takes longer to drive than to walk because the roads are so bad).

At the CHFS offices, I met everyone from floor 1 to floor 4.  They were able to take the photos and print them, which saved me two full days. 

From there, Karen, a social worker who is here volunteering, and I set out to get the cell phone.  We walked 25 minutes to the telecommunications store to purchase the SIM card, which was easier than I thought.   We walked back to the guest house, picked up the computers to take to a shopping center that has a phone store and a restaurant that has good internet connection ... about a 30-40 minute walk.

On this walk you see beautiful, huge homes (1000's of sq feet), private schools with children in uniforms, specialty stores that look like something you would see in boutique-y areas in the US.  You also see, amongst all this wealth, extreme poverty - homes made out of corrugated metal pieces that are maybe 6' x 6' - and homelessness that I can't describe.

These are people who honestly have no where to turn.  There are no soup kitchens.  No shelters where they have the option to sleep. There is absolutely no government assistance. The majority of these people do not have mental disorders. They have just been dealt a bad hand. These men and women that are sitting, sleeping, nursing their baby's on the street are no different than any of us.

I digress (though not really)  ...

We get to the shopping center, purchase the phone and go up to the restaurant where there is a beautiful view of the city.  From there, you see a main intersection for cars driving through the city -  come to find that this road is shared by men walking their oxen or their goats.

We sat down and had lunch, and then I got to email the people I love...!   Amazing how removed one can feel when you can't just pick up the phone or connect to the internet.  I am used to being with my boys everyday and night of the week.  This is not an easy transition.  I actually was able to connect to Skype and call the boys.  There was a frustrating delay, at least 5 seconds, and our words and sentences were cut-off.   But, I did get to hear Aris's voice (Engeda was sleeping).  A fantastic sound.

We walked back to our house.  I unpacked and put pictures on the wall using wax ear plugs, making the guest house feel like home for the next few weeks.

The house has two women who work here - one who cleans seven days a week and the other cooks three meals a day, seven days a week.  If we know that we won't be around that day we let them know and we suggest they take off the day. Otherwise they are expected to be there by CHSFS.

Once everyone was settled-in, we sat down and ate dinner, drank a glass of wine and talked. At this point I was cross-eyed from being so tired, but a pediatrician volunteer suggested we walk her sister back to her hotel and stop to get an ice cream along the way.   Well, how could I pass up this offer.   As we were sitting there, the electricity went out.   This is typical so we all got our flashlights and started the walk to get coffee and ice cream at a place named Kaldi's.   Kaldi is the name of the Ethiopian boy who discovered coffee beans while herding his sheep.

While sitting there, the generator went out.  What was interesting is that no one batted an eye;  the conversations continued, waiters were escorted out with flashlights, and everything continued as normal.

The walk home was beautiful - the sky was clear and the moonlight lit the way.

... my room was larger than many single family homes.

Day 3

February 23

The very early moments of day 3 ... it is 5:30 am.  I woke up about 2 hours ago after a solid 4 hours of sleep.  I wrote for a little, and read, but my mind and body are awake.

I opened the windows and I hear birds chirping, I can hear the chanting from the mosque, and the day in general is just waking up.  I hear someone downstairs.  It makes me think that Alem, the cook, has already started her day.

As I tried to fall back asleep, the thought of an earlier conversation with a volunteer coordinator would not leave my mind.

I thought I was coming here without expectations, but I realize today that I did have one expectation - that I would be working with children who were orphaned and/or with children from the community that couldn't afford a private education.  Other than that I was coming with an open mind, realizing that this was going to be a true learning experience.

However, after my conversation with the volunteer coordinator, and reading the outline she left me, I realized that I would not be doing what I expected.  The primary goal they have for me is to work in a private school where middle class children are attending. Their parents are paying to send them to a private school (!). 

I don't mind screening children and making recommendations, or even giving workshops at this school.  Speech pathologist are rare in Addis Ababa.  But what about the babies, the toddlers, the school-age children that have been orphaned who don't have parents that can send them to private schools or afford therapy?  Why do they not deserve my full time attention ... is it because they are going to be placed in Western homes where these things are readily available? or because they don't bring in the money that the private schools do?

Maybe my focus here is Early Intervention (emphasize this).  Maybe it is as simple as the teachers and the coordinators not understanding the importance of these formative years - when Early Intervention is so important.   These little ones, even the ones that are typically developing need to have consistent schedules of learning throughout the day.  ( Maybe my focus here is to) put together a program that allows the teachers and care givers to educate these children through play.  I have my work cut our for me, if I want to make this work.

... later in the day

I went to CHA, the private school in Addis Ababa today.  This is the school that I visited when we came for Engeda.  The classrooms are bright and very clean.  All classes are taught in English, with one Amharic class a day.  The children wear uniforms and are all expected to be well behaved and mannered in the classroom.  Once outside, they just act like kids but know they are under a watchful eye.  They are very respectful.

I met with the director to go over my plan for the 3 weeks.  The volunteer coordinator had actually told him that I was only going to be at that school a few days a week - that I would be sharing my time at the care center and the Bereket school that is run through the adoption agency.  I was actually surprised (pleasantly) because, while I had spoken to her about my preference to be at the more under-privileged facilities,  I wasn't expecting her to be so direct with him.   CHSFS is generally quite adamant  that the volunteer teachers stay at CHA.

... students at CHA - a more privileged class.

... Jim, another CHS volunteer who was so wonderful, has enchanted one student !

... My Work Begins

We walked around the school to meet the teachers as well as the children who had been suspected of having or diagnosed with delays or disorders.  I was introduced to a little boy who was clearly on the autism spectrum - minimal eye contact, no reciprocal communication, used repetitive phrases, little or no appropriate interaction with kids in his class.   I asked if his parents would be willing to come in to see the therapy techniques I would be using, so that they could follow-through to promote carryover.  The director and the teacher both thought that the parents would be excited about this idea.  We are supposed to meet on Thursday.

I will also be giving a workshop on speech language pathology to the teachers.  I will be starting with the very basics of describing what we do as a profession as well as educate them on 'red flags' in the areas of speech language development.

What we appear to be facing is that everyone is open to suggestions on how to make the schools and care center more efficient (in terms of learning), but for the most part, they are not willing to implement new programs without promise of immediate results.  For those of us in this profession, we know so clearly, that no such promises can ever be made.  It seems 'educating' the administrators is going to be a very big and important part of my work.

... interesting fact

So every night there is a "blackout" for 20 min or more, here in Addis.  Karen said that when the African summit was held here a few weeks ago, there was not one blackout.   Hmmmmm.

... a really interesting contact

An Ethiopian man boarded the plane and sat down next to me.  Through our conversation, I find out he is a neurologist who has organized two conferences in Addis over the next week. One is for HIV/Family Planning and the other a medical conference held at the UN for neurologists.   He was incredibly knowledgeable about how the system works in Ethiopia and the frustrations that go along with this.   He invited me to both conferences, but suggested that I attend the HIV/Family Planning conference because there were people there with whom he could introduce me  to get my foot in the door.   As I embark on what could be a painfully frustrating but ultimately incredibly rewarding journey, I need to continue to keep an open mind.

... very telling

Karen, the volunteer social worker, informed me today that women will not use the words penis and or vagina, and they will not talk about sexual abuse.  Talking about anything that has to do with sex/sexuality is socially unacceptable among the woman of this culture.  If a woman has been raped and asked what happened it is not uncommon for her to say that she passed out and doesn't remember anything.  Karen asked how they communicated to the doctors if there was a problem.  The woman all said that they make a shape of a circle with their hands.  If they aren't taught (and not allowed) to feel secure and comfortable with their bodies how are they expected to make any real advances or progress ?

Day / Night 4

February 24

Woke up at 4am again and just couldn't go back to sleep, even though I was exhausted.

There has been another blackout tonight, but this one has been going on now for (3 hours) ... WAIT!! the lights came on .... that means I can charge my computer!   Oh the simple pleasures.   

... things you don't think about in most parts of the U.S.

-  being afraid you are going to get diarrhea because you brushed your teeth

-  being worried that you may get diarrhea from washing your face

-  having a flashlight handy every night or a generator in your backyard

-  not being able to get soap out of your hair because there is absolutely no water pressure

-  NOT thinking about what you may be eating

-  washing your clothes in a sink or tub and hanging them on a clothesline

-  when is the electricity going to go out tonight

-  ... when is it going to come back on

-   not stepping on donkey poop while walking down the sidewalk

-  not running over an ox in the middle of the street ... or a goat or cow

-  how horrible the exhaust fumes are from the cars and trucks

... on to work

So, Karen and I went to the HIV/Family Planning conference today.   It was very informative. Truly unbelievable the way women are treated here.  There is sexual abuse in the home, girls are married as young as age 7, women are blamed if they become pregnant after being raped, women are ostracized from their homes if they have given birth and have complications such as fistulas.   I got to hear Dr. Hanlin, who along with her husband , started the Fistula Clinic in Addis.   This is where the women come from all over Ethiopia to hopefully find peace from this horrible affliction that can occur with a difficult labor (click to see full video).    Dr. Mehari, the MD from the plane, has done some truly incredible things for the people in Ethiopia and from what I understand all over the World.

We had one of the drivers from CHS take us to the conference.   He took us through an area called mexico.   I tried to video some of it, but he was driving so quickly that it did not turn out very well.    Anyway, we were stopped at one point and I looked down and there was a dog lying on the side of the street.  Dead.  It had been dead for sometime.   I started to video it but decided against it.   No one cared.   People just stepped over it.    I thought it needed respect.  

We came back home and I got to meet the rest of the crew that had been at Lalibela for the past 5 or so days.   It is definitely a full house now.   The one woman is a recent law school graduate.   Then there are two couples, both are pediatricians and the husbands are teachers.  They have been here already for 6 weeks.  They are leaving March 4.

Karen, Jim and I set out to the Adams Pavilion so we could write emails and find a backpack and flip flops.  It was all a success!  It is just amazing though what you see along the way. Men and women carrying large loads of whatever it may be on their heads.   Men grazing their donkeys on the sidewalk, men walking herds of goats on the street, men walking their Oxen on the streets, Men riding on the top of huge loads a truck may be carrying.   I already wrote of the poverty that I see everyday.   This is the one thing that comes to mind when I sit down at night.   I can't seem to get the images from my mind.   I know it is a way of life here, but it really is inexcusable for the government to allow this to happen.   There is no education system.   There is nothing in place for people unless you have money.

We were busy today but overall it was a mellow day.

... a 'goat circle' - each likely hours from slaughter - it's just the way things are there.

A note on Dr. Mehari

February 25

The American Academy of Neurology has written a terrific article on the MD from the plane, titled, "One Man Can Change the World."   ... wow !!!

http://www.aan.com/news/?event=read&article_id=5057

Day 5

February 25

Completely turned around on what day it was today.   Actually had a decent nights sleep - did not wake up at 4 !   Well, I did, but I went back to sleep and slept until 5:30.  Woke up to chanting.  I also think that a mosquito woke me in the middle of the night.  I am pretty sure he got in a few bites :)

A driver picked up me, Jim and Jeremy (other volunteers) at the guest house this morning (the "driver" part sounds much fancier than it actually is) and took us to CHA.  Went past the slaughter house again, right in the middle of the city.   The birds that hang out are really quite frightening.  They are huge!!  - a cross between a vulture, a stork and a pelican.

Anyway, I am giving an in-service today to what I thought was going to be 5-6 teachers, turns out to be close to 40.  Let's see how my voice holds up.   I have not been to the Care Center or the Bereket school yet.  I guess I will go on Monday or Tuesday of next week.   It will be a much different experience.  I heard  there is 1 teacher for 37 students.  I am not sure why they don't want the volunteers there.   Actually, I have an idea ... I think I have already expressed.  This really is turning out to be a learning experience.

I did start working with a a little boy at CHA who is on the autism spectrum.  His mom actually met me this morning. I was completely impressed by this.  She was receptive to what I had to say and is willing to come in 3 days a week while I am here and learn techniques on how to work with her son.  He is going to be fun.  He played ball with me for about 2 minutes and then when he realized I was making him work, he "looked" at me and said "Bye!!" with a smile ... got up and walked away from me.  He has attitude.  I know that he is going to make progress :)

More important than any of the above, is that I got a hold of LEUL!!!!!  I talked to him on the phone tonight.  It almost brought a tear to my eye ;) (for those of you who don't know me too well ... I really am not a crier! )  Who is Leul?  He was the taxi driver that became part of our family when we were here 2 years ago.  We did nothing without him.  He was so sweet to Engeda and Aristotle.  When I told him I was here and I wanted to see him, he said, "Where are you staying? I will come right now."  I couldn't see him right then but I will hopefully see him Monday or Tuesday!!

Another good day.

Tomorrow we are off to Harar. I think I will wear a short skirt and a tank top ... ;)

Day 6

February 26

Oh!!  the cursed 4 am again.  I was actually sleeping, but the guard went to the bathroom and closed the door rather loudly.  This door happens to be right below my window ... Did I mention that all homes here have a large wall wrapped around the house and a huge, typically, steel/metal gate.  The guard is 24 hours a day and has his own little place to stay - a tiny little house, maybe 4X12, with a detached bathroom.  The water they have is from a hose or a faucet outside the bathroom.  This is most likely better than any house they go home to.  They are all so great.  Ethiopian people have the absolute best personalities.  Now we know where Engeda gets it.

I had a dream about that damn bird last night.  In my dream, it was part man with a mustache.  It had some features from the birds I mentioned yesterday.   It was freaky.

from Michael - Evidently there is a Day 5 that I did not get ... I'll get that posted a.s.a.p.

I have to admit, I am enjoying being awake before the sun rises and before the other people in the house are awake.  If only I could keep this up when I get back - always sounds like a great plan.

There are 6 of us getting in uhhh, what we hope is a van today for an 8 hour trip to Harar. We could have flown, but Jim and Karen didn't take Ethiopian Airlines.  When you fly EA to Ethiopia it allows you to take flights within Ethiopia for at least 50% off normal fares.  The flights can be expensive for non-EA flyers.  Do I sound like an ad?!   Anyway, as much as I am looking forward to this trip, I feel like I am just getting settled in the house.   I am such a creature of habit ... not always a good thing.

I am not sure I am going to be able to do what I would like with the little ones who are waiting to be adopted - which is really too bad, because the Ethiopian government has now put a limit on how many children can be allowed to exit the country through adoption.   Which means ... more time in the orphanages.   It really breaks my heart.   Now, saying that, maybe it makes a better argument for what I want to do.   I can't remember if I mentioned, but through the article that was and is being run on my experience in Ethiopia (Thank you, Michael) I had two women contact me who live in Ethiopia.  One is a Ph.D in early childhood education and the other is the ONLY Speech-Language Therapist in Addis ( or, for that mater, probably in all of Ethiopia.  I am hoping to meet with them in the next week.  Also, Dr. Mehari, the Neurologist I met on the plane knows a woman who has a center for autism here.  There is so much that can be done.  If I really push, I will accomplish a lot.   For now, I can set a foundation with contacts.

Day 7

February 27

We headed to Harar.   What we thought was going to take 8 hours took 10!    It was a long drive but absolutely beautiful.   Driving in the country side of Ethiopia is nothing like anything I have ever experienced before.   Drivers honk their horns instead of braking.   Adults and children walk and sit on the side of the road where cars are zooming by them at 80 miles an hour.  Cows, chickens, dogs, ox, goats, camels, ibex, baboons... yes, baboons crossing the roads.  Cars and trucks pass each other without even thinking for a second what may be coming in the opposite direction.

We saw some very bad accidents. There is no way people survived some of them.  Where some of the trucks had flipped, men were sitting next to the trucks or had basically set up camp by building shelter out of poles and tarps.  We are so accustomed to the accident being towed or cleaned up right away.  We have no idea of all the luxuries we have on a daily basis.

As we drove further east out of Addis, the colors women wore just got more vibrant and men were wearing more traditional wraps.   We were leaving the western influence in Addis and entering true Africa.

As we drove, we saw men with cloth robes, walking with staffs directing their livestock.  I noticed this one particular tribe - almost every man had the same, very distinct hairstyle.  I find out later at a museum in Harar that they are from the Oromo tribe.

I had the pleasure of riding in the front seat ;)    As I started falling asleep, the driver tapped me and quietly says "Camel".    I look up and see this boy who was maybe 9 in the same cloth robe as I had mentioned earlier, herding at least 25 camel down a main road.    Seeing young kids with huge responsibility was not an unusual site at all.  Boys Engeda's age, herding goats. Young girls carrying water and baskets on top of their heads.  I noticed the women have the absolute best posture here.  There is such a strength in the way they walk.

I had no idea that the country would look like this.  Huts were sitting on the edge of the most beautiful mountains.  The views were like nothing I have seen before ... pictures do not do it justice.   The topography changed at least 4 times during our trip.   The best comparisons I have is to compare it with Santa Fe, Carmel Valley, Smokey Mountains and then multiply it by 50.  These people are incredibly blessed with the most peaceful and breathtaking place to live.   The land was so lush.   The mountains were green.   At the highest point of the mountain, there were pine trees - this surprised me for some reason - made me feel like I was back home for a few minutes.

Our driver was an interesting character, to say the least.  He would just randomly pull off the side of the rode and talk to people.  Luckily for me, he pulled over at the highest part of the mountain in this village on the side of the road.  I rolled down the window and showed the kids my camera and they walked hesitantly to the car. I took one picture and showed them. They absolutely loved this.  Then they started pointing to themselves and smiling.  The adults were even intrigued, which I have found to be unusual.  They usually stand in the background and let the kids experience things. That is where I got that stunning picture of the boy and the young girl.  It was so tranquil in that village.

There is so much that I saw on this drive.  Some happy, some sad, some funny, some disturbing - but mostly, when I can put it in perspective, it was life in a way that is unfamiliar to me.   It requires a very real openness that is sometimes hard to, well, open up to.

... a young boy, maybe 9 or 10 years old, herding an entire pack of camel.

... so beautiful !  this little girl came out and posed for the cameraS !

We arrived in Harar. 

Any feeling of tranquility was quickly diminished by the energy of a very busy little city.  People were everywhere, moving from this place and that without hesitation.  I truly wonder what they all were doing.

We checked into the hotel.  It was a hotel in what is Africa.  Got to the room.  There were red silk curtains with holes, wooden floors with just a bit of grit ... got flip flops for that.  The bedspreads didn't look so clean ... have sweats and a long sleeve shirt for that.   The bathroom.  It was something that you would see in a gas station, except it did have a shower ... luckily I can squat !!!  It ended up being fine - a place to "sleep".  Forgot to mention that the water was on only from 6-8 a.m and 6-10 p.m. - which really isn't that bad of an idea.   I know some of you are probably rolling your eyes ;)

We met with our tour guide who was just great.   He took us to a place where they feed Hyenas within the walls of Harar.   This has been a tradition for years and to some extent centuries.  The tradition started because the people did not want the hyenas to eat their livestock, so, cleverly, they started feeding them every night.  The people are respectful of the hyenas.   In return, the hyenas are respectful of the people and the animals.   The men who feed them allow "spectators" to help feed the hyenas with them.  You can guess where I am going.  I had to do it.   The guy who feeds them nightly hands you a 6 inch stick and puts a chunk of meat on the end.  Then, you have the option of putting the stick in your mouth (versus holding it out ) and let them eat from that.  You guessed it!  I did that too!!   The worst part was the smell ... I think you can see that in the pictures.   They are very interesting animals.   The way they look at you is rather frightening.

... food goes on the end of the stick, then to the hyenas !

... feeding inches from my face !

Day 8

February 28

Thank g-d I am alive !!!

I can't even describe what the drive home from Harar was like.  We stopped for gas and Jim, one of the older volunteers, gets out of the car from the front seat and looks in the back window, with his hands on top of the car and says in a quiet, low voice, "This is the worst F-in driver I have ever seen!"

The driver would drive as fast as he could into a turn and then brake as hard as he could.

When we stopped for lunch, we got out of the car and the brakes were literally smoking.   When he saw us looking at them, he says, "   This is what Ethiopian brakes do".

Jeremy said, "No. this is what all brakes do when you are using them too much."

This will have to be continued.......

Day 9

March 1

I went to CHA today to work with the little boy, B, and his mother.   It was great.   We all sat on the floor, and I started with the task of using the sign "more" to request an object.  He initially refused to do this by crying and screaming.  I continued working through these behaviors, and within 5 minutes he was using the sign "more" and also saying "more".

By the end of the hour, he was using the signs and vocalizations for  "more, please" ,   "I want more",   "I want cup", and   "all done". 

His mom was very good with him and was open to suggestions.

We took B back to his classroom and talked for a few minutes.  I went to check on a couple of other children and then went to B's classroom to observe him.  He was in the back corner by himself, while the other kids were playing in a group.  I lead him over to the group, and we sat down to play.  He played for a few minutes and then started screaming. The teacher came to comfort him ... this was the story for the next 30 minutes - not just by one of the pre-k teachers,  but all 4.    Progress was made and will continue.

... teaching B on the floor of the school.

... B's Mom was a quick learner and was terrific with at-home follow-up !

the Care Center

I finally went to the Care Center.  This is where the children who are orphaned live and go to school.  If I had not taken the initiative, I probably would never have seen it.  There is a soft spot in my heart for these children.  As I mentioned, these children are staying in this house for at least 7 months because of the new rules the embassy has put on adoption.  This is a long time to be in a place, especially for infants and young children in terms of language and social development.  They live, sleep, and go to school, all in the same building.  They are living in this care center, where they no longer have the structure of a home life.  They no longer have chores.  They no longer have interaction from a family life.  They no longer have love from their parents.

I realize that I have two rather rather large obstacles in my attempts to develop a program within the Care Centers:

1.  Convincing the directors that whether or not the children are being adopted into Western homes, it is crucial that, during this time, these children have structure for social, emotional and educational development.

2.  Getting the staff to understand why this is important and being an integral part of this change.

I am making great contacts here.   If things do not progress with my work through this organization, I am confident there are PLENTY of opportunities to help these children through any of a number of these contacts.

Oh, and ... I am running out of Birr.   Every time I go to exchange money it is closed !!!

Day 10

March 2

 Yesterday, after work, I had 3 things I wanted to get done.

1.  Get money exchanged
2.  Connect to the internet
3.  Get additional phone minutes

> Western Union was closed at 4
> I couldn't connect to the internet
> I DID get the minutes for my phone

It is a Holiday today!  The Ethiopians are celebrating their defeat over Italy in 1896 (in the Battle of Adwa).   Supposedly, this is when the Italians thought the Ethiopians were cannibals. Men from the Italian army saw Ethiopians standing over a body eating raw meat. The true story is that Ethiopians do eat raw meat in celebration, but from a cow.  The very wealthy still do this to celebrate.   ( with the help of Great Britain, they successfully defended themselves against a subsequent invasion by Italy that lasted nearly five years, from 1936 - 1941 - thanks Wikipedia ! )

Speaking of raw meat, I am not sure I mentioned in my posting of Harar, but I was walking through the market place and noticed horns from a bull, lying on the ground - that were obviously freshly removed.   Someone said, "I wonder where those came from?"   No sooner said, the guide directed our attention to the butcher.  I know what you are all envisioning ... a store with meat neatly placed in the window.  This is so not what I saw!   On the ground, there were heads of a cow and a camel that had been VERY recently slaughtered. The Camel still had the rope tied around its neck. My body did not know how to react.  My stomached contracted, pulsed.  I got chills.   I thought, "This is so wrong in my world - I may throw-up" ... and then I took a picture.  I took a picture ... Still deciding what to do with these pictures.

Back to the Holiday.  This holiday means nothing for me in terms of not working.  I will be going to the Care Center this morning to be with those amazing kids.   I am really dealing with a lot of emotions when it comes to these little guys.   I have to realize that whatever I am doing is helping them in some way.   Whether I teach a little boy the word "truck", comfort one that is crying because he can't communicate his feelings because he doesn't speak Amharic, or teach the 10 year old boy how to write his name when children younger than him already know how.   They all have a story, and one we probably will never be able to comprehend.

Day 11

March 3

Yesterday was a perfectly clear and sunny day. Great day to sit at Paradise (the restaurant) by the large open windows, feeling the breeze and catching up on e-mails.  As I was walking back, clouds started forming that looked pretty threatening.

Today was an interesting day to say the least.  After having such a great day yesterday, I woke in the middle of the night not feeling well at all !  This continued throughout the day. I forced myself out of bed because I had to see B at CHA and then had a meeting with the teachers.  Two cars came to get the 6 of us.  Seems reasonable.  Well, the one driver said he could only could two people and then the other driver said the same thing. 4 out of the 6 of us had to be there by 8:30. I was one of them.  Unfortunately, I did not get in those cars. They called another car to come pick us up. That was at 7:15. 8 rolls around ... nothing.  We called. "The driver will be there in 15 minutes".  So, I took advantage of this time and did absolutely nothing but laid on the couch.  I think I fell asleep.  The car finally came at 9:30.  I was debating on whether I should go or not because I had to be back on this side of town at 12:00.  I went ... I am responsible ;)

I get there and obviously had missed my first meeting and was told that a car would not be able to pick me up until later. If I were going to leave early I would have to leave with the car that just dropped me off.  I was going to have to miss my teacher meeting.  I spoke to the director who was fine with me leaving.  15 minutes later I get back into the car that drove us there.  A drive that should have taken 25 minutes took an hour, with 5 people packed into a tiny car with exhaust fumes. THIS was not good for someone who was not feeling well at all. I get back to the house and take a really nice nap; get up, eat some couscous. "This will be great for my stomach", I thought; ran (okay, walked really quickly) to a meeting with the Directors wife, Tseway, of CHSFS (I don't know her title, I am not sure others do either); walked up 6 flights of stairs v-e-r-y slowly; anted to puke; sat down with Tseway and she asked what my plan was.  I told her my focus was building a program with the children in the Care Center.  She asked if this will be on-going. I told her YES,  that was my plan, and she said, "That sounds good." "I will have you meet with my husband tomorrow to go over details".   "HUH?!?!"    I was shocked.   Everyone else has been told "NO".   I am going to go with this and just do my best to form a program for these children.  Whatever happens, it is going to be a positive.  Structure in their day is going to be so important for them.

After my meeting with Tseway, I met with Kyla, a young woman (in her 20's) who has been here for 3 months attempting to build a program similar to mine. We have a lot to do in a week, but she is going to be very helpful because she knows the program so well.  I started fading quickly by the end of our meeting.  My stomach was not happy with the couscous ... AT ALL.  I tried to get a ride back to the guest house. No luck.  I walked and just figured that it may be a long walk because my body was hurting.   I got back to the house, crawled into bed, and an hour later was really wishing Michael was there to take care of me ;)    I will spare you the details, but the trashcan came in very handy.   Now I feel about 80%.

I am in bed, at 7:30, with a movie in hand. Tomorrow is going to be a great day.  I can feel it. :)

Missing my boys though...

Day 12

March 4

Today was a pretty good day - just as I thought it would be.  I got to see the little guy, B, and his mom this morning.  I am really enjoying working with them.  His mom is great.  I have been letting her take over parts of the session, and she does a terrific job with him.  If all parents could be this open.  I apologized for not getting there on time yesterday, and she said if the car was late again she would come get me :)   She wants me to start a program here. She said she took B to a school for children with autism here in Addis, but it was not good. She said the teachers didn't know what to do with the children.  I asked her if the name was Center for Autism and she said yes.  This is the same Center that the doctor I met on the plane suggested that I go and see.  Interesting how things all come together.  She is going to give me the number tomorrow.  I am hoping that I will be able to see it next week.

I got to experience my first Ethiopian Coffee ceremony !  The last time we were here I told my mom, dad, and Ash that I wanted to do this.  Well, they did it without me while I was upstairs taking care of the boys ;(     I know, poor me.   I just had to get in that dig.

Anyway, Alem, the cook, put it all together.  There are 3 cups of coffee served. I only got to drink the first cup.  There is a reason for this for 3 cups but I will probably mess it up. Maybe Michael can fill in this part.  It was so delicious. The work that goes into it is quite impressive.

from Michael -  the coffee ceremony is a central social event within the village - a time to discuss the community, politics, and daily life. If invited into a home to take part, remember - it is impolite to retire until you have consumed at least three cups, as the third round ( called 'bereka' - to be blessed ) is considered to bestow a blessing.

The reason I only got to drink one cup is that I had a meeting with Asnake, the director of the Ethiopia CHSFS ( I'm sure the breach was forgiven ;) ).  I explained to him what my goals were for the Care Center, and he thought it was a good idea.  He said something to the likes of "You could be the ambassador of this program" He did use the word 'ambassador'. That sounds pretty official now, doesn't it?

Kyla, Jim and I are going to sit down this weekend and brainstorm.  Jim is here for another month.  We are going to push for him to work in the Care Center and start to put some of our ideas into place.

The other day I decided not to go out with the rest of the bunch.  When they left, it was a beautiful day - sunny, cool breeze.   I was enjoying just being alone and reading.  There was no electricity.  This is normal.  At least once a day it will go out.   As I sat there, the clouds rolled in. Big luminous clouds.  Still no electricity.  It started pouring rain, with thunder and lightening.  The rain was not letting up and the electricity was not coming back on.  For a while, this was exciting and kind of relaxing.  I lit candles and was reading with my flashlight. Then I let my mind start coming up with some scenarios that really weren't too realistic. I basically freaked myself out!   It was humorous ... even at the time. (Danielle, you know how I get) - I didn't die.   Everyone came back home - rain still pounding and no electricity.  It didn't come back on until 11:00 the next day.

A Difference Made

March 8

from Michael -  It has been a few days since Alexia has been able to get online - internet is not cooperating at the local cafe.   Here is a story she shared with me in a recent telephone conversation. 

After an article ran about her trip to Ethiopia ( in the Fort Mill Times ), an email came to Tega Cay Speaks ( Alexia's company ) asking for a professional consultation regarding a young Ethiopian student in whom teachers were becoming discouraged.

The young girl was described as being 'extremely autistic' and essentially non-verbal.

Based solely on descriptions from the teachers, and prior to visiting with the child, Alexia's initial thoughts were either 'selective mutism' or neurological impairment.

She met with the young girl on Friday, March 5th.

By going through a series of exercises, the child began to respond to Alexia - actually smiling at one point.   Within the hour, she had said the word 'bubble' ( she had earlier been fascinated with the 'bubbles' Alexia had brought to the session ).   The other teachers were absolutely stunned !  The woman who had contacted Alexia from the article ( a PhD in early childhood education ), who had been following this young girl's situation for quite some time was thrilled with what had been accomplished in just one hour, by a professional SLP ( a perfect underscore of the need for this type of program within the Ethiopian school systems !).

While great things are ahead ... Alexia made an amazing difference in this one girl's life.

Day 13

March 5

Wow!   Today was busy.   I woke at 6am;  talked to my boys ... a good way to start the day ... and then went to CHA.  Another fun session with B and his mom.  Had a meeting with all the pre-k teachers on how to differently handle his behaviors.  They were very responsive and had many questions about what to do in certain situations and also had questions about other students they had concerns about. 

I went to observe and work with another little girl and just gave the teachers suggestions on how to make things a little easier for the girl to understand.  The teacher was so thankful because she saw how positively the little girl was responding.  Then I hopped in the car (who were from the school, Dad) with two other men who were in Ethiopia putting together a project on gardening in the schools.  One observed that the children having the most difficulty learning in a standard classroom, become motivated when they see things through, from beginning to end.  In Addis, there is only one way of teaching.  If your learning style does not fit under this 'umbrella' you really are left behind.  So many children with disabilities don't get any type of special services; in most cases, they don't even go to school.

The car dropped me off at Paradise restaurant where I got to check and send emails.  I was there for about an hour and then met up with the American woman, Katherine, who is working in the schools in Addis.  She took me to one of the schools where she was having concerns about a 3 year old little girl who was non-verbal.  Aside from the word 'miss', she hadn't spoken a word at school.  They had not heard her laugh, cry or imitate any sounds or words.  I could go into great detail about what happened over the next 30 minutes but I won't ;)  With my cheerios, sunglasses and bubbles, I motivated her to imitate signs (language), sounds and then she said 'bubble' !  The teachers were so excited. They were gathering at the window and watching us "play" to hear this little girl make sounds.  It is interesting in Addis ( interesting and problematic ) - in every school I have visited, they all teach the same way.  There is very little play, and it is ALL memorization ('A' is for 'apple'). When I suggested that they also give the sound the letter makes when learning the alphabet, the teachers were all like "Ohhh!  That is a good idea!"

Katherine and I went to dinner and did a little shopping.  I got home at 8.  It was a very long day.

Day 14

March 6

I guess I got a little spoiled with being able to talk to the boys everyday.  It is really frustrating at this point that I can't receive calls on my mobile or house phone.

Off to watch Megan, another volunteer, run in a 5K.  It is to raise awareness for women's rights.

We just got back.  It was so fun to see what some of the women were wearing - ballet slippers, full shawls and wraps, holding purses ... btw, Megan did great but she said that when the women with the "scarves" were passing her she felt a little defeated ;)

What I am missing ...

> Fruits and vegetables !!!  I would love to have steamed vegetables.  I would love to eat a radish right now.  And fresh juice would be soooo yummy.  They say the water supply is so contaminated here that even the vegetables aren't really that safe to eat.  So, 'Miss Organic' is having a tough time.  I think a good detox is in order when I get home.

> The freedom to NOT have to carry around toilet paper everywhere I go.

> My shower !

> My boys !!!! Being able to talk to them whenever I want and crawling into bed together to watch movies

> Did I mention fruits and vegetables?

> Clean air ... yea, clean air.  One would think this would just be in Africa but not in the city.

> That I don't know Amharic.

> Dependable electricity

> People who truly need help, getting help.   There are men on the street who are paraplegics, have cerebral palsy, etc. that are dragging themselves on the ground because they don't have access to wheel chairs.  This should never be happening.  As I wrote this I realized that I have never seen a women who is disabled on the street.

Things I am enjoying ...

> Addis

> The people.  They are beautiful

> The culture.

> The sense of humor people have here.

> Being humbled by the realities of life.

> The community. There is such a sense of community here.

> How taxi drivers talk to each other like they have known each other for years and you ask them, "Do you know them?" and they say, "No! first time seeing them!"

> The fact that I am able to experience, actually, be exposed to, what most of the world experiences daily. We have no idea in the Western world how fortunate we are to have the very basic, simple needs - and most of what we think of as needs are truly luxuries.

> Hearing the chanting/praying everyday ... and if I am really listening, 5 times a day.

> Seeing goats, chickens, cows on the streets

> Hearing people speak Amharic and not having a clue what they are saying !

> Not always having electricity

> Not having a TV

> Having someone do my laundry (never thought I would hear myself say that)   
    hey, maybe Danielle really would like it there ;)  

Am I really hearing AeroSmith from the construction site next door ?!?!  How funny is this!!! Excuse me while I go rock out!! ;) Now U2! He! He!

I just had chocolate for the first time since I have been here ... I am feeling quite happy right now. This is really a great day.

I went and helped Kyla paint the Care Center this morning.  She drew the pictures and I painted them. We just did things that are fun for the kids.  I have to say that she did make me do the sports parts.  I will be taking a picture of the soccer ball I painted - It is really funny.  She is quite a unique person.  I am glad that I am able to spend time with her.

Stayed home by myself again tonight.  No electricity.  A short but sweet rain storm.  It was relaxing. I may get use to this no electricity thing at night.  The kids better prepare!

Day 15

March 7

Things I have forgotten to tell about:

In Harar, people chew 'chat' or 'qat'.  It is a plant that is grown legally in the countryside by farmers.  You chew a cheek full of leaves for hours.   It makes you feel very relaxed and focused on whatever you are doing.  The guide that we had in Harar said the people, young and old, in Harar get up in the morning, do a little work, come home in the afternoon, chew chat for several hours and then get up and go out at night.  I saw old, toothless men smashing the leaves and then they suck on it that way.  It is part of the culture.  Needless to say, the energy in Harar is very relaxed.  The farmers must chew it because the crops are meticulous!

 ... "Chat"

Young boys in Harar would come up to us with a handful of what I thought were carved sticks, but were actually toothbrushes.  They were carved in a spiral design down half of the stick. This is how people brush their teeth after eating Chat ... really, it is probably how people brush their teeth in general.

The guest house dog, Lilly, is most likely pregnant.  Whoever decided to buy her and leave her at the guesthouse should probably have had her spade - there are soooo many strays. It is really quite sad.  Lilly is loved by most, though :)

Someone tried to pick pocket me but my keen (?) senses allowed me to see it coming and I blocked his way!

My heart is aching a bit for a 10 year old little boy in the Care Center who hasn't been matched with a family.  Every time one of his friends leaves with their new family he cries (only 3 other children out of about 60 aren't placed yet and he is one of them ... because he is older)

I did learn that I can adopt as a single women if I want to adopt an older child ...

Farenji is the amharic word for foreigner.  It is the norm to be called a farenji.  There are ethiopian prices and then there are farenji prices.

The first time I attempted to take a blue and white bus with Jim and Jeremy ... wait! this is a funny story. I have to start over...

Jim and Jeremy were trying to teach me the ways of the blue and white bus/van.  It is a very cheap way to get around the city.  What can cost up to 150 birr in a taxi will only cost maybe 3 on the bus.   We waited outside the school ... and waited ... and waited.  Every bus was too full to pick us up.  Finally, one pulls over.  We ask how much.  The driver says 40 Birr.  Jeremy says, "Those are farenji prices!"  The driver laughed and after a few back and forths, he lowered the price to 20.  Still way too high, but we weren't having much luck with other buses, so we got in. More people started getting on but were only being charged 1 birr. Jim said to the driver, "I think we are paying for everyone's ride."   As we sat there, the guy taking the money loaded in one container of fuel and then two, then three, then four and so on.... Jeremy said, "not only are we paying for everyone else we are paying to ride on a bomb."   So, after all of that, we got off the bus and walked down the street and hopped in a cab to a bus stop that was closer to the house for a 100 birr . We jump in another bus for 3 birr. As we approached our stop Jeremy said to me, "if you want us to get off at this stop then you need to yell 'Warage!'  So, I did just that ... and everyone, not just a couple people, but everyone on the bus laughed!!  It supposedly means "pull over" but who knows :)  What should have taken an hour took about 2. I haven't even tried to take one again - who knows where I would end up.

What I did today

Karen, Jim and I walked to Kaldi's, a coffee shop, and had breakfast.  Leul picked up Karen and me and took us shopping.  It was so great to see him.  He was so happy to see pictures of the boys.  He sat and looked at them, and then kissed both of their faces.  It was so sweet.

Before we went to the shops we really wanted to see, he took us to a little shop that had beautiful, more expensive (relatively speaking) scarves.  I bought a few things there.  Then we went to a market place where we tried to go buy scarves that support the women who carry the wood down the mountain (these women carry bundles that I promise weigh more than they do).  It was closed.  Then we went to buy scarves that are made by women who are HIV positive.  The money goes back to the organization to help these women.  It was closed.  So, we went and got the beloved Tomoka coffee.  I ran out of money, so I couldn't get as much as I wanted.  I will need to go back there too! - q good reason to see Leul again.  It is was a well organized morning ;)

We came back to the house, picked up the computers and walked to Paradise for the internet. Got there and no internet. Came back home and decided to not leave anymore today.

What I found out is going on at home while I am gone
(This really is funny)

Aris is throwing up at least "8" times, can't practice baseball, but miraculously feels good enough to go play with a friend.

Engeda decides he wants to help cook - sets a paper towel on fire and then throws it in the trash. The trash can catches on fire.

According to Aris, Bianca no longer wants to poop outside and decides to go inside..and while she is at it decides that throwing up on the carpet is a good idea.

I think it is time for me to go home :) !!

Day 16

March 8

I woke up just ready to pack my bags and come home.  It really has been the first day that I have felt like this since I got here.  I hadn't slept well, it was colder than usual and it was overcast. "Only 6 more days." that is what I kept thinking.

I ate breakfast. Then, Jim and I got into the car that was 45 minutes late and off to school. The driver chose a route that we had never gone before.  It was this city within Addis that I hadn't seen before.  It was the definition of urban poverty, and it was beautiful.  The people were busy going from place to place.  Coffee was being made and sold in these little 3x4 tin shacks.  Men holding hands, talking while walking down the street.  Women with babies held close to their backs with colorful scarves.  Women sitting on stools selling fruits and vegetables from their stores.  Women walking with bundles of wood on their heads.  Men hunched over, carrying large bags of grain on their backs.  Boys walking to school in uniform.  These uniforms were faded, tattered at the sleeves, with holes.  Boys walking donkeys down the street.  Brothers and sisters take care of each other.  I looked through a doorway that showed a small little courtyard, or more like a common area.  It had clothes hanging from clotheslines with 4 or 5 homes attached.  These homes are made out of wood, dirt floors with tin roofs.  There are whole families living in one room.  Seeing all of this lifted my mood.  This is why I love Ethiopia. (of course I didn't bring my camera)

I got to school and I realized that I am making a difference.  It isn't exactly what I had planned, but I am able to offer help to these families that isn't available to them here.  The teachers and parents are all so appreciative.

Best of all, I went to the Care Center today.  These kids are so special.  My heart just melts. I went into the nursery.  Those babies!!  I could've stayed there all day.  Then I went into the toddler area ....  oh! this is NOT a good place for me.  I just love this age. There was an 18 month old little boy who was so chunky with such a mischievous look in his huge brown eyes.  He just laughed when I would look at him.  When I turned around to play with the other little guys he would take the chair by his crib and move it with much intent.  He was all boy!

I will be there for most of the day tomorrow to help make the nursery a better place visually for the babies.  They don't have much to look at while they are in their cribs.

I will also be going to AHope.  It is the home for children with HIV. I am feeling a little anxious about how this is going to make me feel, but me not going won't change what they are going through.

Day 18

March 10

Didn't sleep last night.   I am coming home 4 days earlier than planned.   I have conflicting feelings about this.   There is the side of me that is so sad to leave - I was just getting into my routine here.  I had to separate my mom self from my other self (whatever that may be) when I got here.  Those first few days were hard.  I missed my boys, but I was only going to be here for 3 weeks ... 3 weeks is so little in this lifetime, but so long when you have to be away from your kids.   Anyway, long thoughts made short, I can't wait to get home and see my guys!  Aris has been so great and Engeda ... well, sometimes he is too busy eating to talk to me ;)   ... can't wait to just hold them.  am certainly going to miss being here though.   Next time the whole crew is coming.

I got to meet B's (Berata) dad.  He came out of his way so that he could meet me at school.  What a great family.  I feel really lucky to have met them.  All the preschool teachers were so sweet when I was leaving today.  They all thanked me and said that now they have an idea of what to do with children who have special needs and look forward to getting emails and suggestions in the future.  I also got to just hang out with Kyla for a while today.  I look forward to working with her and just having her in my life.

I had lunch with a friend who has been living in Addis for almost 2 years.  I wanted to meet with her to hear about a program she is starting for the "street boys".  These are the kids that live on the street and really are given no type of positive direction or education.  Basically what she is doing is exposing these children to the arts (drawing, painting, dance, music) and sports.  We brainstormed about how to get materials to these children. This will be a great project for the boys.

Opportunities are endless here.

My day is pretty full tomorrow ... but as the minutes pass, I am getting more excited to go home.

Day 19

March 11

I couldn't have asked for a better way to end my 3 weeks in Ethiopia.

Alem made her yummy pancakes that are as big as a large plate, and I ate the whole thing.

Berata's mom, Tirsit, came to pick me up so that she could take me to see the school that was developed for children with Autism.  Her husband had gone several months back and said it was "horrible" and that he would never send Berata there.  I was expecting the worst.  She was expecting the worst.  We knocked on the heavy metal gate and the guard opened the doors to a shockingly beautiful, clean, cheerful, (for a lack of a better word) compound.  The children that I saw were moderate to severe on the autism spectrum.  These children knew their place in this school.  I say that in a very positive way.  They were all happy.  The school was set up with classrooms that focused on different areas of discipline.  The woman who started this program is a mom of one of the boys that attends the school.  She has educated herself by going to conferences around the world.  She has done an excellent job putting this program together for the children in the community.  Needless to say, we were impressed.  We were thinking that Berata's dad was focusing on how severe some of the children were - and not looking at the facility as a whole.  I left there with information and ideas!

I needed to grab a few gifts for the boys and asked Tirsit if she would drop me off at Adams Pavilion on the way home.  She said she would take me there but not drop me off.  She didn't like what she saw at the store and asked if I had time so that she could take me to a couple places. ( Of course I did !)   We went to a few local shops, and I was able to get what I needed - and not at Farenji prices.  She was disgusted when she saw how much the store owner was going to charge me.  So, for the next several minutes I listened to the two of them go back and forth on the price.  If only I knew Amharic.

 To end a great morning we got tea at Kaldi's.  Tirsit walked into the school, as a mom, looking to help her child.  How lucky for me that I can say we became friends.

Off to the Main Office to meet with Hiwot about a gardening program he has developed.  He was a Professor of Agriculture at the University of Maryland.  Such a smart man with a rather impressive vision.  This was a short meeting, but long enough to hear what his thoughts were and get contact information so we can keep in touch about putting our heads together for future projects.

Lunch!!  I went to lunch at an Indian restaurant with a couple other volunteers.  Hands down THE BEST Indian food I had ever had. And that's all I have to say about that :)

Back to the office to meet with Asnake.  He is this rather big man, with a very serious looking face but has such a gentle way about him.  I really enjoyed meeting with him.  You can see why he is in charge of the whole program.  I sat down with him, and one of the first things he said to me was, "I hear you are not so young" ...  For a split second I didn't know how to respond to this - and then it hit me that obviously something got lost in translation, and it was a compliment.

We agreed that I will submit my ideas to develop a program for the children in the Care Center within the next month - at that point, we will refine the plan ... and then set things in motion !

I finished packing, did some last minute shopping and got a pedicure (I know ... but I had been walking a lot in a my sandals).

I was off to the airport only to begin another adventure!

Day 20

March 12

Flight home ...

As I mentioned, I had a great last day in Ethiopia.  My ride to the airport was even early (this doesn't happen too often).   I get to the airport with time to spare.  I grabbed a bite to eat, attempted to get on-line and then just sat and relaxed. The flight was called - I went to the gate and waited and waited and waited.  It was 2 hours late taking off. I realized at this point that once I land, I will most likely miss my flight from D.C to Charlotte. There was nothing I could do at this point, so I just sat back and enjoyed the next 16 hours.  I thumbed through the inflight magazine and saw the do not disturb sticker you can put on your chair.  I meant to stick on the back of my chair but forgot.  This was a mistake.  On this flight, no one sat next to me. I just had time to myself ... which was really nice.  I slept quite a bit, which is highly unusual for me.  I was sleeping so well that I was actually dreaming whenthe flight attendant thought it was necessary to wake me up for the great meal.  I had the Bose earphones on and a blanket over my whole body including my head (nice image, I know, but it works. I am one of those who gets self-conscious about how I may look when I am sleeping ... ).  I woke to her, I am not kidding when I say, she was saying in a very loud voice, " Excuse me. Wake up!! " 

If you have to raise your voice like that isn't it a good indication that the person should probably be left to just sleep?!?  It was like an adrenaline rush when I woke, which meant I was not going back to sleep anytime soon ... I had five more hours to Rome.  Really, I couldn't complain.  The flight from Addis to DC was great.  It was what happened once I landed that made it worth writing about.

I landed in DC with 30 minutes until my US Air flight was scheduled to take off.  This does not leave enough time to go through immigration.  I missed the flight.  There was not another direct flight taking off until 6 p.m .... It was 9:30 a.m.  The next flight was at 12:30 but had only a 45 minute layover in Virginia. I was not about to get stuck in Virginia.  I thought for a few minutes that I could rent a car and be home sooner than the direct flight to Charlotte would land.  Common sense told me that was a bad idea, considering I had just got off a 16 hour flight.  I called Michael and he booked me on an AirTran flight at 11:30 with a switch in Atlanta.  This was perfect.  At least I would be closer to home.

The flight was looking pretty good. We boarded the plane, taxied to the runway and then stopped ... turning-off-the-engine kind of stop !  The pilot announced there was weather in Atlanta and we needed to wait it out for a little bit.  He turned off the seatbelt sign and the plane was ours.  This went on for about an hour-and-a-half only to be told we had to go back to the terminal because the weather was not getting any better in Atlanta.  I got off the plane, grabbed a bite to eat, and then waited again.  After about 2 hours, we did get back on the flight and took off after a 30 minutes delay.  About an hour into the flight, the pilot announced that we were in a holding pattern to land and because of this the plane was running out of fuel - we were going to go ahead and land ... in Chattanooga, Tennessee !!! OH!! I wanted to scream!!  30 hours of traveling so far and I was just done with planes and airports.  We hit quite a bit of turbulence on the way down and then the PLANE got hit by lightening!!!  It was such a loud crashing noise and out the window all you could see was blue light for that split second it hit the plane.  I waited for silence.  I was sure that the engines were going to stop.  One would think that I would have been scared to death, but I just got really frustrated - I knew I wasn't going to die that day.  I had just flown from Ethiopia to the U.S without much of a hitch. There was NO WAY I was going down in or around Chattanooga, TN - that wouldn't make for such a great story.  Going down over the Atlantic or the Sahara Desert ... now that sounds much more intriguing.

We landed ... with Fire Trucks in tow. The pilot announced that there was smoke in the cockpit after the plane had been struck by lightening and that the plane was going to have to be grounded until they were sure there was no damage.

I need to back up a minute. On my way down into Chattanooga, before we had been struck by lightening, I decided that I was NOT going to get back on a plane that night. I had it in my head I was going to drive to Atlanta , sleep and then get up and go on to Charlotte.

When we landed, I texted my family to tell them my plan.  They did not agree with my decision because I had had no sleep but knew it was most likely near impossible to stop me at this point ! ;)    I called Michael to tell him my plan, and he was in the car minutes later driving to Atlanta.  I rented a car, rolled down the windows, turned on the radio and drove happily to Atlanta.  It wasn't until I got to downtown Atlanta that I realized I was exhausted.  I kid you not when I say I was seeing double. I wanted to pull the car over and cry because I was not seeing signs for hotels.  So guess what I did? Called Michael (he lived in Atlanta) because I was desperate to find a place to sleep.  He directed me to a Holiday Inn.  I don't think I was ever so happy to see a Holiday Inn!!  I checked in, took a shower with great water pressure and I was off to sleep.

I had a great nights sleep and Michael and I were off to Charlotte (after dropping off the car).  I got home at 1:00 p.m just in time to go watch my kiddos play some baseball!!

49 hours of travel !!!

Reflections /  Seeing Things Fall in Place

April 1

Have you ever had the feeling that things were falling into an almost perfect place? - where events and ‘happenstances’ begin to transcend coincidence and take-on an almost magical feeling ? If so, then you will understand my experiences in Ethiopia.

From the moment I boarded the plane to Addis Ababa, it was as if some force was working to affect a certain synchronicity between the things I wanted to do and the things that needed to be done. And, for three weeks, a wonderfully unique and talented group of volunteers began to find their way into my life, and a vision for the future of my work began to take on a brilliant clarity, unfolding – almost perfectly.

As many of you have read here, I had the surprisingly coincidental pleasure of sitting for 16 hours next to an extraordinarily talented and sincerely motivated neurologist, Dr. Enawgaw Mehari, who was en route to Addis for two conferences under his direction focused on the conditions and treatment of those suffering with neurological deficits, as well as those with HIV / AIDS. Dr. Mehari, by professional nature, was specifically interested in my efforts to establish educational programs for the developmentally delayed children in Addis. There was an immediate connection, and after many hours of talking on a professional and personal level, we agreed in general terms to find ways to collaborate on our mutual goals. Dr. Mehari is a man who has already accomplished so very much; and, the fact that he has learned to navigate the often difficult ‘waters’ of affecting change in the political and economic climates of Ethiopia is huge for me (us). He will be a tremendous resource as we plan our program in the coming months.

On my second day on-site, I received an email from Katherine, a special education educator who is on an extended stay in Addis. Katherine had read about my trip in the Fort Mill Times and had a specific student in the CHA schools with whom she wanted an SLP consult. We did visit the child, and made progress; but, more importantly, we spent time talking about the – again – surprisingly coincidental overlap in our work and goals. Having sketched out a preliminary organizational structure for our work moving forward, Katherine would be a valuable asset to our team – and I am hoping she will accept my invitation to join us. She brings not only an accomplished career in working with special needs children, Katherine has a dear love for the people of Ethiopia ( and she also ‘knows the ropes’ and can help our group gain its footing from the beginning ).

Seeing the pattern of conincidental meetings ?

I have written a great deal in my journal about the beautiful little Berata – the child I was asked to work with at the CHA school. In a very short time, ‘B’ made so much progress, and his Mom, Tirsit, was also an exceptional student.

Tirsit, I believe is our ‘diamond in the rough’ when talking about building an effective program in Ethiopia. She is native to the area, has a personal connection to special needs children, is incredibly smart, intuitive, high-energy and has said ‘YES’ – she would love to be a part of helping build a program for children like Berata, as well as for those so much less fortunate ( keeping in mind, Berata and his family are in the ‘middle class’ of Ethiopia).

Enter Hiwot. Hiwot is an Associate Professor of Agriculture at the University of Maryland, as well as a native Ethiopian. Hiwot has a beautifully brilliant idea – and a plan – and he is carrying it out - unfortunately at his own, personal expense. Hiwot, through CHS, is developing programs to teach gardening and basic agriculture to the children having particular difficulty in the mainstream schools. It is Hiwot’s belief, that this course of instruction builds confidence and self esteem, while teaching them life-long skills that will pay dividends throughout their lives. I want to bring Hiwot’s vision and plans under our umbrella of services. This is a perfect compliment to our work, and Hiwot brings one priceless attribute – he is a ‘do-er’ - he is in the ½ of 1% of people in our world who have dreams and work to carry them out. Hiwot will be a strong member on our team!

Camden. Camden is the volunteer coordinator at Children’s Home Society and Family Services (CHS) and was one of my first points of contact when arriving in Addis. Camden has been with CHS for three years and is committed to serving the people of Ethiopia for the foreseeable future. In addition to her work with CHS, Camden has started another really great program focused on the ‘street children’ of Ethiopia. Right now, this is a self-supporting initiative that serves that disenfranchised group that is not being reached by the CHS’s of the world. This program hopes to collect needed ( as well as recreational ) goods from the U.S. and bring them directly to those in need. Also, they hope to plan and conduct activities and programs for these children – in ad hoc environments –likely providing the only personal intervention these children will ever receive … talk about a touching and unbelievably important program. Again – I want to bring this into the fold of our organization, providing the resources to really give this dream a chance to develop.

What I love most about the “street children” program is that it gives young people here in the U.S., including my boys - who will take on actual ‘leadership roles,’ a chance to participate in volunteer and philanthropic work. I envision this as a ‘youth driven’ program … children helping children J.

Finally, Asnake. Asnake is CHS’s Regional Director, assigned to Ethiopia. Asnake runs the show at CHS in Addis. Though I was given only snippets of access to Asnake during my trip, he was surprisingly abreast of my work and of my goals for the future. During our out-processing meeting, he was open to moving forward and agreeable to supporting our plan.

ON THE CURRENT STATE OF EDUCATION

As I anticipated, the educators in Ethiopia are poorly trained to deal with the special needs population. Until recently, such children were isolated by their families and kept from the general population. With a heightened emphasis on early childhood education, these children are now surfacing in the public schools entirely unable to engage in routine instruction by teachers who are equally unable to deal with their unique challenges. Now is the perfect time for an organization such as ours to make ourselves and our training available to these deserving and needy children. In a matter of days after arriving in Addis, I was able to make a significant difference in the lives of several children by teaching them new ways to learn. Even more help will be passed along to a large number of children who will be better served by the teachers we were able to train. If I can accomplish so much in such a little amount of time, I love to imagine the impact we can have when an entire staff of therapists are employed ( and deployed ). With the team members I’ve discussed above, these are exciting prospects … and, though the hard work lies ahead, this is an exciting time.