Another viewpoint

You can view my friend's blog here alexlittle.net.   He is an IT volunteer at Mekelle.

---

Read amazing stories to your kids on Messenger Try it Now!

Chelenqua

Visiting Mekelle (one of my IT purchasing trips) I was able to do the tourist thing and walk to a nearby waterfall.  The nearby village was a 5km walk from Mekelle across a set of fields of tef -turned into flour to make injera.  On the journey, a man walking his donkey decided it was his duty to carry our bottled water and directed a young lad to guide (called guards) us to the waterfall when we arrived in the village.  The guide book prepares you for the excitement and clamour that exists to be your official guard.  We quickly had a group following us who all intended to claim sole rights over this role.  After some negotiation we agreed on two guides, the original young lad who spoke no English (age 7ish) and a 10 year old who spoke very good English, leaving some older lads very disgruntled.

 

On the far side of the village and down a very dry, steep, slope with stone walls used to prevent erosion and growing we saw the falls in front of us.  Although no larger than a waterfall in the UK, the sight of water really does become an oddity.  I've passed a river the other day and just stared at it.

 

Down the slope and using the fertile land a farmer was growing a fine selection of fruit and vegetables – reminded of a corn field in a horror movie.  I stopped regularly to rest in the heat (although pretended I was taking photos) while our guide became restless with the pace.  A quick reminder of his fee shut him up.

 

I was not expecting the site at the base of the falls.  As I climbed up the rocks, there was a party of 20 or so locals swimming and diving away with a stereo and tv that had been brought down.  I was later told that people convert tvs to run on battery power!?

 

Unfortunately, thirty minutes later as we headed off up the slope, an older boy who had hung around asked me for his payment.  He did seem to accept that he had not shown us where the falls were.  As he grabbed hold of our guide and we walked off, he spoilt the atmosphere with idol threats about returning and throwing stones.  Thankfully, further up the slope, our friendly guide caught us up.  However he told us that the other boy had stolen money from him.

 

At the top and back on through the village, our younger guide accepted the money, while our English speaking guide decided he should have more and followed us for a while.  We decided that whatever he got he would have wanted more and we felt comfortable that he had been paid well.  Apart from the constant barrage of "you", "give me money" and "ferenji", a good day.

---

Get the best wallpapers on the Web – FREE. Click here!

For my sins

Not even for a drunken bet I have signed up to run in the Ethiopian 10km run.  In the centre of Addis at 2400m and 30oC, I will attempt to complete a distance I could previously run at ease.  I tried to run here in Abi Adi the other day and found it quite difficult.  The altitude and heat make it very different.  Although I do not intend to set up any formal charity collection.  For anyone interested and looking for more information of how they can help, click here: http://www.actionaid.org.uk/101389/great_ethiopian_run.html

---

Read amazing stories to your kids on Messenger Try it Now!

Pictures & Videos

More Photos can be viewed here: (mostly taken from Myknetal -the nearest town north towards Adwa where we visited a school that we donated a computer to.)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30047150@N02/
 
A short dance video from the end of our training in Addis at the Red Cross Training Centre can be viewed here:  (watch carefully or you might miss me)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxLsK868_To

---

Get the best wallpapers on the Web - FREE. Click here!

And the list goes on

It would appear that just about everyone I meet is moving on.  The basic system here is to start working in the small places and move to the big city after a few years.  This however means that some places (including here) get very high turnover of staff.  Hence the constant need to train.   I'm beginning to wonder if it something I said.  Having said that, I am beginning to feel very much at home here.

---

Get the best wallpapers on the Web – FREE. Click here!

Working my way through it all

The previous post I should have explained was another volunteer's experience.  I was not trying to donate 1400 books.  Everything revolves around getting three copies signed with a purple stamp.  It's tempting to get one made up.  I think I previously mentioned how awkward it was borrowing a tape measure from the store to use.  Well the list goes on:  A paint brush for the day I decided the ICT lab needed a sprucing up; a folder and pens to complete an audit, floppy disks to repair machines, dust covers to be cleaned.  You name it everything is signed over.  I've finally arranged a procedure for replacing broken parts to fix computers.  A new part can be bought (instead of the usual practise of replacing an entire PC) by the office involved signing out the new part, replacing working for broken and then returning the broken item to the store!

 

So without a budget or understanding of how to purchase goods here, I have managed to create a list of desired materials.  Ringing shops in the area proved pointless as they either did not have, did not answer or the tiniest of shop refused to sell less than 30 of anything.  Without boring every inch of you, more than I have done myself I will try to explain what I have had to do this week regards work.  [Although I believe there is a feeling going around that I am not working.]

 

Travelled to Mekelle.  Visited shops and showed them the list of items to see what they sold and how "with it" they were.  Returned to provide them with a purple stamped version.  Returned to pick up closed completed lists with prices.  Returned to Abi Adi.  Read completed lists (only after signing closed envelope and every sheet inside).  Completed table highlighting cheapest option for each item.  Two days later, returned to Mekelle.  Returned to every shop with questions about specifications of listed items and re-wrote list explaining why cheapest is not always the best option.   This could well be my biggest challenge here.

---

For the best free wallpapers from MSN Click here!

Procedures

Procedure for removing 1400 books from the store and donating to 52 schools.

 

1.      Write a list of books (title and author) that are required, while battling against dust and ants on bookshelf.

2.     Wait for the list to be typed up by the store lady.  This list may not be accurate: "Prehistoric Arousals" or "Hen's Pens Jokes" with an extra i!

3.     Optional - Check list yourself for accuracy of titles.

4.     Cross check that similar versions are included as the same and count number of books.

5.     Write a letter to the Dean and both Vice-Deans requesting books be released from the store.  All copies of letter should be signed by two people from the department.

6.     Provide the management committee, who meet every 3 months, with the list of books to be released from the store.  Wait for their agreement (any inaccuracies require another committee)

7.     Pass agreement to the Dean and both Vice Deans to enable the infamous Purple Stamp!

8.     Take approval to the store to get books released.

9.     Sign the list into your possession.

10.   Every book on the list is checked off against the master list out of the store.

11.     Any inaccuracies (even minor i.e. wrong author or number of books different) in the list require a new list to be stamped.

12.    Sort books into piles for cluster schools and create sub-lists for each school.

13.    Three copies of each sub-list are sent to receive a purple stamp.

14.   Each school checks their pile of books with their list and signs three copies of their sub-list into their possession.  One copy for the school, one for the book store and one for the vice-dean.

15.    Once the books arrive at each school, they are required to send headed notepaper as a stamped receipt for the books.

16.   Kids enjoy reading!

 

P.S.  All of these books were donated (not bought) to the college by various charities.

---

Click here for FREE customisable desktop wallpapers. Get them Now!