**Notes: I have changed nothing in the transfer of my journal entries to this post; what you read is exactly what I have written in my notebook! Also, anything in square brackets is additional information that will help put my writing into context (:
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March 13 - Day 1
"Flight was late. Tanya needs a tissue. My ears are popping. We have to start Harry Potter over again [we had to restart the movie 3 or 4 times because the plane's entertainment system was being glitchy..]. FML. Where is my passport? The screen is yellow (they had to reboot the system). Armrests fold up so we can sleep! This is our seating arrangement:
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We found the bathrooms + finished HP. 6 hours to go. I think we're close to landing (PS, most uncomfortable sleep of my life). I actually wish I could understand/speak German [we flew Lufthansa airlines]. Maybe one day (PPS...not even close to being prepared for AP exams).
Frankfurt to Ethiopia [layover in Frankfurt]
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The food on these flights are surprisingly good. I'm incredibly full. One hour until we land in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Saw the horizon outside the window. Beautiful."
Monday, March 14 [day we arrived in Ethiopia]
"Got to our hotel in Addis (Ras Hotel). Rainbow, Tibebu, and a couple other people met us at the airport and drove us to our hotel. Kdey [my friend Kristen] and I are rooming together. Driving to the hotel already revealed the cultural differences. 10pm + people are walking around the streets. There were slums on the side of the road. Tomorrow we take a tour of the city in the morning + then visit an orphanage. It's hard to think we're here already. I feel anxious and nervous about everything...what we're gonna see and feel as a result. I'm very excited to work with all the people here with us and I'm trying not to think about everything else going on in my life/mind. This is about water now."
Tuesday, March 15
"Mah burfdaaay. We visited two museums and the palace that the emperor lived in. We're now eating lunch at a place called 'Blue Tops'.
"HOLD MY FREAKING HAND!" - Tanya and I almost died crossing the street. People drive crazy! We visited 'Save a Life,' run by Frehiwot, and they help support orphans affected by HIV/AIDS. They also teach prevention of HIV/AIDS and run programs for guardians of the orphans, such as income generation. One thing that stands out to me is that she said that they 'cannot really help these people to live...to exist is more accurate'
The family we visited was rough. Two girls are supported by the SALE [Save a Life Ethiopia] program and live with their aunts. They have been living with their aunts for 7 years, since their mother died. The vibe was harsh. Their home is 200 birr a month [$11-$12 Canadian], and they barely afford to pay. And theirs was not the worst of it. There are slums everywhere; I wonder how they found these kids in this slum chaos. But the kids, they appear happy, given their circumstances. I won't ever forget their faces, nor the tone of their aunt's voice when she was asked about future plans.
'I'm suffering and I will keep suffering.' Her eyes reflected her future - hopeless.
After, we went for dinner @ Yod Abyssinia, a traditional ethiopian dinner. There were dancers + live musiv. The women are stunningly beautiful, I couldn't take my eyes off of them all night. They were so talented and elegant. They sang me happy birthday + gave us a cakeee. Good 2nd day. Still gotta video blog. Tomorrow we jeep it to the South; I tried to get on Facebook today but the connection was too slow that I gave up. Goodnight."
Wednesday, March 16
In the jeep to the South now. It's hard to take everything in around us. Dogs + cats fend for themselves on the streets, much like everyone else. A tarp is basically all people have to shelter from the rain.
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We just jeeped almost 12 hours to the South. The first 7 hours was fine, the last 3 had half paved roads that did not treat the stomach well [just realized that 7+3 does not equal 12...must have miscalculated somewhere...]. I didn't sleep for any of it because there's too much to see. We passed through many villages and a common sight was kids pouring water from puddled on the side of the road into their containers. Opaque water (orangey brown). Some people didn't have shoes and my heart broke. Mostly kids were happy to see us. Women/girls didn't smile too much, and some boys weren't happy to see us at all. Spitting at the vehicle, etc. However, when we went through the villages. families smiled and waved.
At Swayne's hotel now [it's more like an eco-lodge]. Ate dinner + discussed the trip and HOPE. Lightning storm outside.
In the field tomorrow, in a village that started construction two weeks ago. Will help build well [actually a spring-water system, clearly I was tired...]"
Thursday, March 17
"Woke up + went outside. So peaceful and serene. Mountains in front of us and the lake beyond (Abaya). Huge spider in our room. Windy, but nice. Saw a baboon!
The ride to the HOPE field campground was about two or three hours. I've never seen such an amazing landscape. I don't even know what altitude we're at. After settling into our tents, we went to a village [Bojiga] to see its completed water project. 12 water distribution points. Our welcome was too much for words to describe. Everywhere we went, we had a crowd of locals with us. I will honestly say that seeing these people and their reactions to us and just smiling/interacting with us was amazing. These people are so incredible.
We also visited HOPE's office where the regional director told us about the organization of building a spring line for fresh water. I wish I could remember everything, but so much has happened today. Meeting two families and their homes really reflected how HOPE is trying to convert traditional homes into more healthy environments through education. Tomorrow we will visit the village that just started construction."
Friday, March 18
Went to Fishito village. Greeted w/ immense hospitality. I'm so amazed with how warmly we are greeted when we have done nothing to deserve it. Tanya and I were talking yesterday about how people would think they'd initially feel pity for these people, but being here in this moment makes me realize that I have so much respect for them. They are so hardworking and determined in their work. While we were in Fishito, we helped their spring with carrying rocks for the wall, mixing cement, and bringing cement to the retaining wall. After a while, people started gathering around and Madi and I made friends with a couple girls (one named Dior I think) and they're all in grade 5. Walking down the mountain made me realize that they walk this path every day. It changed my whole outlook on Ethiopia and I'm only here to learn their ways and do whatever I can to help. The girls were so excited to guide us down the mountain, and even took our bags for us! I don't want to forget their smiling faces or the way they acted around us. So much to think about. The coffee we have @ every meal is amazing.
Back at the campground, the locals all came and Tanya, Kdey, + Madi danced for them. They sang for us and when we had to do for dinner, they all crowded around and spoke with us. That connection is what I will always remember. Baraket [Bereket?] has been telling us the technical parts of each project; the amount of planning and what to consider when they commence a project. Not only do they take into account the source of water, but also the amount of people, the growth rate, the social status of the people (in terms of where to put distribution points) and the benefits of the women, children, and users. Much examining takes place before a project is to be started. 3 projects in the region serve 15 000. 1 town = 27 pts [distribution points]"
Saturday, March 19
"Packed up + driving to another district (G). I will never get used to how intrigued people are by us, especially kids. Everything about this place, with its rough edges and majestic landscape, is so beautiful. The people, the villages, the view from the mountains. Each day takes my breath away. Seeing poverty, especially on the ride down to the South, didn't just tug on my heart strings, it ripped them out and threw them on the ground [as if to say, "and you have the nerve to complain about your life?]. I feel so ashamed/guilty for having what I have at home, but these people are so warm to us in spite of it. This is why I feel such a strong sense of respect. Even when we were just driving on the road, when we pass people carrying heavy loads, I feel as if they resent us for having such a luxury. But once in the villages, they are excited more than anything.
We visited the village that is in the "Thirst for Africa" video, where Tayo and her family live. We walked a kilometre to their water source and got the chance to fill water containers for them. The hole we descended into was unbelievable. A rock sits at the bottom where the women stand on and water surrounds it. The water was a dark gray - water that I would never dream of drinking or using for anything. I carried a 50lb container of water back up the hill. I can't believe how these girls + women are able to do this multiple times a day. I'm glad we were able to make them laugh and it was so amazing that the whole trip up, I had a group of girls following me to make sure I was okay. I've said it before and I'll say it again: these people are amazing. At the Strawberry Fields Eco Lodge now. It's dark out and the rest are sleeping. It's too hot to sleep + there is a huge spider somewhere in our hut. I hear loud music playing in the distance. The moon is full and so bright that I can write this without any other light. I never see this view @ home. Everything is so clear."
Sunday, March 20
"I've seriously lost track of time. So much has happened today, it's insane. We left this morning from the eco lodge at 8:00am and travelled to the Darashe district where water projects are complete and 90% of the people have access to clean water. After clean water, HOPE puts Income Generating programs in place and one of the ways they help is by giving loans. With loans from HOPE, the interest goes topeople (ex. need 1000 birr, people give you 900 + last 100 is your responsibility). We visited many families today that went to HOPE for loans, using that loan to start a business (buy a sewing machine, fruit to sell, pingpong tables, cattle, etc) and kickstarting a new life, learning how to save money, and plan for the future.
One woman told us that she loves us from the bottom of her heart, and many said 'God bless you' and 'Thank you' for encouraging them and stuff like that, as if we personally had anything to do with their life improvement. The significant amount that these people's lives have changed from something as simple as a loan. It forced me to think that these people in the forgotten corners of the world are treated as equals and as human beings and not being discriminated, as it should be. Her words are so heartwarming. With these loans, people are able to make enough money to send their kids to school, support their businesses and families. Many people mentioned that they felt free + confident now that they own a business. Seeing these programs made me realize that life from nothing can grow into everything with some help. Again, kids followed us everywhere and guided us, smiling. I want to bring these kids home with me. When we weren't paying attention, they were grabbing our hands and spoke to us, trying to use their english. I'm glad these kids are in school and will have the chance at a better life. Last family we went to had the wife elected by the community as treasurer; trust + respect [I think I was trying to say that this demonstrates the trust and respect that the community has for this woman, despite the fact the she is a woman]. Reveals the sustainability in having the community be a part of the project, keeps them together and builds strong relationships + respect after water projects or other developments have occurred.
Women = hold community together = give info = they will spread change"
Monday, March 21
"Rainbow's b-day, went on safari in national park and saw zebras (lots of them). Did discussion questions and went to dinner in town (w/ ducks + cats!) [Okay, admittedly I was really excited whenever stray cats were around, which happened in restaurants in the rural areas]"
Apparently missed some days of writing...
Thursday, March 24
"I can't believe our trip is at a close already. I knew it would pass quickly, but it still shocks me when I think about it. On the plan heading back to Vancouver from Frankfurt. During our layover in Frankfurt, we trained to the city and walked around a bit. It was a bit hard, and made me want to come back and live here. I don't know what the future holds, but I would love to see more of Europe, if not live there [this refers back to when I traveled to Germany the summer before...which I'm sure I will also write about sometime!]. Last night as we departed from Addis, we said our goodbyes to Bereket, Tibebu, and the drivers [Endeshaw and Atis]. At the start of the trip, I never thought I'd remember anyone's name, and now I find myself wishing to go back. When we were shopping in the market yesterday, Endeshaw + Atis helped us communicate and barter with the shopkeepers. I'll miss their friendliness on the bumpy roads of Africa. Madi, Kdey, Curtis, and I decided to get tattoos for this trip. If anything, this trip has changed my life and I want to honour it and all Ethiopian people. Mine will say "life within" in Amharic, in a circle with a dot showing where it starts + where it ends. The story behind this is that Bereket told us that we are the life within ethiopian people, and we have become their ambassadors, their voice for change. On a further note, I feel as though they are the life within myself as well. They will always be on my mind whenever a toilet is flushed or whenever I take a shower [and realize how lucky I am to have clean water at my fingertips]. They have become my heart. I will always speak up for them and tell their stories to everyone that will hear.
I am so incredibly grateful for being able to travel to Ethiopia this year. It was more than I ever could have imagined. It was beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time. One image that illustrates this for me vividly is seeing the most gorgeous sunset in Addis, and then shifting my sight down to the street, where the slums and beggars lie. Such a contrast will always stay in my heart and mind."
Photos
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| Slums outside Ras Hotel, Addis Ababa |
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| Tanya, myself, Kristen, Madi (Swaynes) |
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| Fishito village - three grade 5 girls |
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| The tattoo (: |
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