Initial Training

The one Internet provider (ETC) has banned blogspot from working so my brother has kindly offered to post my messages. However someone has informed me that it is still possible to send an email to the site so I will look into that.



Apologies for taking so long to update you all on my whereabouts. In Country Training, otherwise known as ICT, (confusing at first for me!) was fantastic. As I said previously we have been located at a Red Cross Training Centre in the capital – Addis Ababa, which is 2400m above sea level. I’ve not experienced any altitude sickness or tummy upset – many others unfortunately have.



The place is great with hot showers and good food. The staple food is called “injera”. Looks and has the texture rather like a rolled up piece of grey carpet underlay and tastes fairly bland also – but it is a good mop for the many types of “wat” – which is essentially curry. The kitchen also seem intent on deep frying every vegetable available – including carrot and courgette. For the less brave, a good selection of pasta (the Italians were here for a while), chips and salad are available. Although we have been warned off lettuce, due to the risk of it holding the water it has been washed in. All in all, I’ve not lost any weight.



The few people I met while training and have been emailing are all here. Most of them will be close by – well within 100km! There are also volunteers from Canada, Philippines, Kenya, Uganda, Sweden and Netherlands – about 10 of them are also doing IT training. At the end of the ICT training – we had a two day IT course to meet existing IT volunteers. We are all “computer experts”. The second day was mainly “sharing” knowledge and skills.



A fair chunk of the sessions involved language training – Amharic. Not dissimilar from a KS3 syllabus we have covered the basics in taxis, shopping, directions, questions, counting – and especially greetings – which is a massive deal here. (If I can attach the photo properly the image is a very polite greeting pronounced - Ten-i-istiling) Unfortunately, although the national language is Amharic – where I’m going they mainly speak – Tigrinian!



As well as language training, we have had many lectures on Ethiopian culture. The “Dos and Don’ts”, expectations, similarities and differences etc. Thankfully, after a few days we were let loose to practise our language as we embarked on a pre-set scavenger hunt in groups. This involved using the “in-line” taxis, which constantly weave in and out of other traffic, carrying passengers around, and in and out of the centre. Standing at the side of the road, you listen for the final destination that the “redat” shouts (boys aged 7-15). Squashing on, you pay about 1-2 Birr (5-10p) and shout “woraj” when you want to stop.



Everyone, as you would expect, is very friendly and helpful. They want to practise speaking English so often make things easier, even when faced with difficulties, there is always someone else who translates. The city offers pretty much anything you may want to buy. Most things being cheaper – expect luxury Western items like chocolate. We had to buy our vegetable team name – red onion, a paper and find the price of various other items. However, I can proudly announce that my group won, even though I was charged eight times too much to get my shoes cleaned, cooking oil as a shiner is extra! You live and learn. Although admittedly, we were lucky enough to be called a vegetable that was in season and readily available.



The weather has generally been very good. It is nearing the end of the rainy season, so when it rains, it pours. Addis is generally cooler than further north where I’m going. I’ve been caught out twice without a jacket and returned soaked to the skin, which has brought great hilarity to the local population, who shout laugh and shout “ferenji”, which means “Westerner”. Generally, people stop everything when it rains and take shelter anywhere they can find. I took the opportunity to buy some stamps, which took a while to realise that everything is weighed, so had to guess what I’d be sending. As there are no addresses here as such, people rent PO Boxes. Round the corner was the bank, (they shut early here also!) where I needed to change 100Birr (£5) notes into ones. Standing on the steps, outside the bank, the road slowly turned into a river making me wish I’d brought my umbrella and wellies.



I’ve been lucky enough to meet the Dean, Vice-dean and my counterpart at the college, as well as two current volunteers at the college. We went for a pizza so I have not been completely bereft of Western food. There is a good selection of restaurants and bars, so you can find always find something to eat. Although after attempting to translate the menu, you may find that most of it is not available. There is a bar around the corner from the training centre, so that has seen many of us keeping the staff working late. My last round of 30 drinks cost 240 Birr (£12)! Although in perspective I shall be earning £125 a month.



Thankfully as Ethiopia, like most of Africa, is football crazy so there is always a bar that is showing football, particularly the Champions League. At least there are more Manchester United fans here. The two-hour time difference means watching from 10pm-12pm. Which interestingly is 4-6 Habasha night time (Ethiopian time) as the day runs from 6am in the morning through to 6pm at night.



Thanks for reading and hopefully I’ll update you on my actual placement next time.

First Days

So I have arrived safely. It was about 2am when we landed. Following that was slow baggage load on to the bus and the driver getting lost leaving the car park. Finally made bed for 4am - with breakfast a few hours later. Its all very organised, calm and friendly.

I have been lucky enough to meet a current VSO volunteer who is helping out with this weeks training who has come from Abi Adi. It sounds excellent with lots to look forward to. We are staying at the Red Cross Training Centre in the capital where myself and 50 other volunteers (a very large group for VSO) are sharing a dial-up connection. We have also discovered that nobody can text or phone outside the country - although I have received your messages.

It may be a while before I get another chance to post (as access to the blog does not work), text (all blocked) or send emails (very slow) - so thanks once again for all the final bon voyage messages.

The future is looking slow but very good.

A GREAT BIG THANK YOU

The time has really come - I’m actually off. So all that remains for me to do, while I still have broadband, is once again to thank each and every one of you. Ever since I first suggested the idea, back in May, all of you have been incredibly positive, provided advice and offered assistance if required. For that, I am truly grateful, humbled and pleased that I have so many caring and thoughtful friends.

Firstly, thanks to all that have homed me over the last 6 weeks: The Lawrence family as the first week away from home was always going to be tough. Jon & Jane, Helen & Bill, Matt & Jaye and Jim & Becky and VSO for 9 days of training in Birmingham – the food was very good.

My old class, who will by now have started their exciting journey into secondary school. I wish you all the best and the large red card with your comments on will be the first thing blu-tacked to my wall. All the staff at New Whittington for my gifts and kind words of support when I still had to focus on the end of term. Thanks to Lindie and Dad for storing all my stuff, and to John and Lindie for my lift to the station.

Richard for his truly endless patience when I get stressed with computers and the tools and utilities he has provided which will undoubtedly keep me sane while there.

My leaving do was a lovely experience – so thanks to all that attended including Hannah, Carol, Rob and with Iain, Liz and Ant coming all the way from down south. Thanks to Ant for a quality final night and bed in London the night before I left.

Lou deserves thanks for bringing the idea into the forefront of my mind and providing me with the opportunity to see Africa first hand. Without others carving the way, many of us would not follow.

Next to all those that fed me in that final week: Jez & Sarah – a delicious roast,
Rie, Dan and Mary for a delightful risotto, Lucy & Neil for Steak with multiple sauces and Jim & Becky for the chilli. Furthermore, life would have been very difficult without Jaye providing lifts around Sheffield after I sold my car.

So that Jo, Hannah, Dan and Becca do not feel left out, I would also like to thank them as talking to them and listening to their experiences and advice has helped me to both focus and prepare for this journey.

Lastly to my family for their housing, support (both financial and emotional) and endless patience with my grumpy moods. My brother is likely to very sick of this trip as he has been given the task of looking after my finances and correspondence. Thanks to mum for my final lift to the station.

If I have forgotten anyone else, then I can only apologise, as organised as I have been over the last 3 months, I have had more lists and tasks than ever. I wish you all endless amounts of health and happiness and hope you will be just as keen to see me return.

Two Days To Go

A short update. With two days to go, I have once again re-packed. Still nowhere near my 46kg limit. Have tried to keep the garlic powder away from my pants.

Shortly after cancelling my 02 phone (which will stop working on 9th October), I read today that Ethiopian SIMs do not text! So for anyone with spare cash lying around, feel free to call me, otherwise email really will be the only option - at least until Skype or similar can work with Dial-Up.

Photos courtesy of a current volunteer in Abbiyi Adi

The College on the left and my house on the right.

Ethiopia / Tigray video

Extra Weight

Thank you for all those wonderful suggestions. In fact it turns out that I'm actually allowed 46kg, so having worked to only being allowed 25kg - I may well take all of them except the solar powered pants - thanks Jez.

After viewing lists made by previous volunteers, I bought another suitcase and have decided to take these other items: football boots, veg peeler, frying pan, garlic powder and Chloe's teddy!

A week to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!