Summer camp in Ethiopia??

Today was my busiest day yet in Ethiopia. The day began at 8am when I woke up, got ready for the day and met my tutor at 8:30. After a great tutoring session, I had 2 classes back to back with was quite entertaining today. Afterwards,  I ran back to my house, grabbed a few things, shoveled some scrambled eggs into my mouth and hustled back to my classroom to meet the women teachers on campus for our first women’s group meeting at 12:30. Whew. When that was finished at 2:00 (which went great) I hopped on a bus and rushed to make a meeting on time at 2:30. The meeting was with a woman named Nigiste, and she is the founder of a non-profit called Yenegateska- which translates to Hope for Tomorrow.

            The non-profit is for street children here in Gondar. Nigiste started it about 10 years ago. She is an incredible woman who exudes warmth and love as soon as you meet her.  She wants me to start doing art activities with the kids at the shelters a few times a week and help out with other activities they have going on. One of these other activities they have going on is a camp- that is going to occur in 2 weeks. What….summer camp in Ethiopia!?!?!? She wants me to help lead the activities because of all my experience with summer camps in the past. It will be 50 street children, 4 days and will happen in 2 weeks. Talk about short notice, but how exciting?!

I’m sitting at Central now drinking a macchiato, which reminds me of a little taste of home. To be honest, after today all I can think about is how good God is. I’ve been a bit emotional anyway the last 2 days, and now I’m sitting here in a coffee house full of Ethiopian men and am the crazy frenji with tears in her eyes.

I’m just overwhelmed- it hit me like a freight train after the meeting this afternoon. I think that the reminder of His presence in my life is exactly what I needed. Now is the first time I was able to stop and breathe today, and I am in awe of how awesome He is and how perfectly he orchestrates this life. There is so much pain, poverty, and evil in this world but through it all shines His grace, His love and the strength He gives us to persevere through all the crap.  You know when you stop, look around at your life and just have an “Ah huh….” Moment, where it all makes sense? As the smoothness and sweetness of this machiatto fall quickly into my stomach, and as I look outside to the chaotic yet colorful streets of Ethiopia I am having one of those moments.

It’s the little things, that when you look closely you see God working in this world regardless of all of the garbage. I get so caught up in the ugliness sometimes, and I forget to give praise. Today, I was lucky enough to have an “ah huh” moment and see a glimpse of clarity as to why I may be here and take time to praise. God is pretty sweet.

Hope you all had a lovely Monday and are enjoying you’re most likely short work week. Thanksgiving is fast approaching so you should head out and buy a pair of elastic waste sweat pants! I’m jealous, I would pay big bucks for some pumpkin pie!

Sending love. Pray and as I was reminded today, praise.

<3

"Walk Up"

Press Play.

"Walk Up" by Meklit Hadero. 

Things move slowly here in Gondar, but I’m starting to get used to the pace. There are two responses you hear all the time, specifically in regards to anything challenging or frustrating… 1. Izosh (be strong, chin up) or 2. Chigaralem (Don’t worry about it…)  If you know me, in the states I’m high strung so this is an adjustment but it’s nice to slow my pace a bit. I mean, who wouldn’t love 2 hour lunch breaks?!

This week has been successful. My students finished their first unit of instruction on introductions and gave their first spoken presentation today. They were quite nervous about it, but I ensured them, “Izosh, chigaralem…” and they laughed and calmed down a bit. :)  One of the highlights from the week was just teaching them. They are SO eager to learn, and one of the days I had 12 students come into my office hours just to talk. It was great, and it’s been fun to start to get to know them better.

In other news, activities are starting to pick up for me, and I have some new projects starting soon. I started a faculty women’s English club on campus and we had our first meeting this week. There are about 140 staff at the college, only 13 are women. I will be meeting with these women twice a week over lunch and working on their English skills, possibly doing a book club, writing, listening and speaking practice. It will be great for them to learn more English but I feel like I will learn even more from them since they are seasoned teachers who are so wonderful and welcoming. I'm sure there will be entertaining updates to come from the meetings. 

This week I also met a married Peace Corp husband and wife who have been living in Gondar for 2 years now. They have many connections with local NGOs and people “to know.”  They live on the top level of an orphanage and will be great contacts to have. We also had lunch with a doctor (from Lafayette, CA…how crazy is that family from CA??!!) who works in the malnutrition ward in the hospital in Gondar.  Both the PCVs and Dr. Dave are interested in having me come in and work with the children, especially with my background. I think I want to try to run a type of art program for the orphanage and also in the malnutrition ward, maybe once a week. I struggle with it, because it’s not sustainable but at the same time gives the children exposure to art, which is great regardless of what country you are in. This is just an idea at this point, but something that I am really excited about. I miss working with kids, so this would be amazing.

The main struggle of the week- “bimbee” bites, mosquitoes. I’m struggling… my legs look like I have a serious skin disease. Even the cleaning women see my ankles in a skirt and look horrified. My neighbor Mitch thinks I have fleas or bed bugs. He might be right, but I always use my bed net…and the idea of fleas or bed bugs makes me cry…so I’m going to convince myself it’s just killer mosquitos.

That’s all for now. I hope you listen to the song I posted in the beginning, it’s a new favorite from an Ethiopian-American artist named Meklit Hadero. Check her out on Itunes, it’s worth it.

Sendin out love my friends.

 <3 

Ebb and Flow

It ebbs and flows, has it’s ups and downs and I would be crazy to think that those waves wouldn’t hit me when I’m here in Ethiopia.  But when life ebbs here and I hit a rough patch, it’s just a little more tough than when I’m at home.

This week, don’t get me wrong, was an ok week but I’m missing home, especially today. After Skyping with my parents and then my college roommate, and my two best friends, I felt better.  At the same time, I felt so much further away from them all or maybe I just realized how far away I really am. It’s just hard to feel as far away from them as I actually am. When you’re lonely, it truly feels like half way across the world.

This week I was frustrated with Ethiopian “time” because it is so different than in the states. I was frustrated by the inappropriate and vulgar actions of dumb men who think it’s ok to make comments or rude gestures. I’m sad that Heather is officially gone, and back in the states. I was eager to get into the public schools, but disappointed when a meeting came up which made my previously scheduled school visits cancelled. I was frustrated when I planned my weekly lessons to a T, but then staff meetings, which I was never informed about commenced, and my classes were just cancelled! I was frustrated with electricity and lack there of, and annoyed with not having an accessible bathroom.  I am angry at all the bugs who love to bite me and the fact that my legs look like I am a leper. Things are just so different here and now that the shock of living in Gondar has worn off, it is going to take some adjusting. The laid back culture, different way of life, and I'm just going to have to remember to always sleep with my mosquito net on!

 I should really make a list of positive things after Downer Debby just got done ranting. .Alright, sorry for the word vomit. I'm going to allow myself to feel like things aren't great right now, and that tonight has been rough because it has been. Tears fell tonight for the first time since I've been here...a lot of tears. It took a while to make them stop, and it's ok that I don't feel in love with Ethiopia right now. Tomorrow when I wake up I will pray for a day that flows. Day to day and week to week things won't be perfect here. I just need to remember that when I stand in front of my classroom I feel like it is exactly where I am meant to be which is amazing, but that feeling doesn't make these dang bug bites itch any less!

I'll write more of a positive post soon, I promise. 

Hope all is well in America, my friends. 

<3 

Ms. Heather

Before I left, I specifically prayed for meaningful relationships here in Gondar. I’m a people person to my core, people give me energy, friendships give me substance and relationships help me to feel purpose.

Call it karma, positive energy, an answer to a prayer or just good luck but when I came here, the second day I met Heather. Heather is a Peace Corp volunteer who has been in Ethiopia for 6 months. Since I've gotten here, we've haven't gone more than 2 days without seeing each other. This past week, she decided that she is going to Early Terminate (ET)  and head back to America. Her heart just wasn't in the work she was doing and she wasn't being used to her full potential. Plus, let's be honest...a 27 month stint is a daunting amount of time to be away from home, especially when you're not loving your job! By the end of this week, she will be enjoying the comforts of America at her house in Albany, NY. 

Heather and I clicked immediately. She’s helped me immensely with my Amharic and introduced me to her amazing Ethiopian family that she lives with. We’ve sat for hours drinking juice at Central Café, took on the market, learned to make injera and learned a ridiculous amount about one another in the short 2 months that we’ve known each other. I’m so thankful that she came into my life. I’m so thankful that she introduced me to her “family” who has now adopted me as their own. I’m thankful for her friendship and I’m so sad to see her go.

On the positive, she will send me one heck of a care package! And, I now have a friend who lives in NY that I can visit- I’ve never been to the East Coast before!

To send her off, I helped to put together a going away dinner with the women at the compound and the ferengi volunteers we hang out with. We had quite the feast, which was topped off with a cake and a buna ceremony. It was a fantastic night for a fantastic person, who will be missed dearly.

The feast- including doro wot, misir wot, cabbage, fruit, salad, bread, injera, fandesha (popcorn WITH candy in it) and even soda. Quite to meal :) 

Heather and the kids 

The whole group, minus Usman who was taking the picture. Heather is in her Habesha clothes that the women bought her!

<3 

Happy November!

Happy November my friends :) In the states, the fall is my favorite season. Here in Ethiopia, I don't have much to complain about. It is gorgeous and sunny the majority of the time, around 80 degrees in the heat of the afternoon and nice and cool in the evening. I don't get the leaves changing colors, the pumpkin spice lattes or cozy sweaters but I also don't have to deal with seeing my own breath in the morning outside when I wake up!

Today was my first day of classes. Yesterday (Monday) was supposed to be, but the students didn't show up. That's Africa for ya! Miscommunication happens often, but oh well...they were there today and super excited to see that they were going to be taught by a frengee (foreigner). I had 40 students today, and then a few extra who saw me at the first English Club meeting, and wanted to sit in on my class to listen to my English :) It was quite funny when they told me afterwards that they had come to just hang out, that's what I call dedication to learning a language, eh?! I am excited to finally be in the classroom, and up in front of those students, I felt right at home.

I received my first package yesterday from home, and needless to say it made my day! I could not ask for better parents and was ecstatic to receive protein bars, sponges, some spices, antibacterial wipes, and even a bag of M&Ms :) It got me to thinking that I would LOVE to receive a card from friends and family...and I had this idea!

I decided since I won't be home for Christmas this year, I want to make my very own Christmas tree (my family knows how much I love the tradition of the tree...I did afterall throw a giant fit the first year we switched from a real tree to the dumb fake one, I may still be a little bitter about it...) The best way I thought of creating this tree was from love sent from friends and family. But that means I need YOUR help!

SO, if you have time, I would LOVE if you sent me a card or even your Christmas card. No need for fancy packages (unless you feel obliged, I won't say no...) But, I am planning on using all of the cards and hanging them on my wall in the design of a tree- a little corny, a little lame, but I'm excited about it :) I had this idea, but needed to get my address out there so that I can start collecting cards for this project! Then after Christmas, I'll leave them hanging but maybe not in the shape of a tree, just to remind me of my friends and family that are across the world!

This is my address:

Elizabeth Rath
Gondar College of Teacher's Education
PO Box 176
North Gondar, Gondar Ethiopia!

Thanks for your help, hopefully I receive enough cards to make a tree!! :)

Hope you all have a lovely week!

<3