So I was under the distinct impression that rainy season was over...yet something told me as I was hurriedly flitting about REI on Wednesday (to purchase an insect-repellant treated mosquito net) that I should purchase a rain jacket. The only raincoat I own is stylish (c'mon, what matters here?) but quite bulky and not realistic for travel...
Turns out that was a great choice because as sure as the sun rises in the morning and sets in the evening, I am now enjoying the rhythmic pitter patter of rain splashing down from the heavens, hitting the mosaic tiled driveway of Weygoss Guest House, where we will spend this one night before heading to Jimma (6-7 hour drive) in the morning after picking up our printing order of >32K pieces of paper/syllabi for our students! The breeze and fresh air are welcome after walking earlier this afternoon through the smoggy, uneven sidewalks of Addis's main road, Bole/Africa Avenue. It will be good to have protection from the rain as we will soon walk to dinner...
It is good to be back in Ethiopia. After 26 hours of rather uneventful travel, the team arrived in Addis, greeted by Mike W, who is concluding his two years as a PeaceCorps Volunteer in Bonga and will head back to the US in just a few weeks. Great to meet everyone in person!! Huge answer to prayer--we (& our pelvic and neonatal mannequins) made it so smoothly through customs, it was as if the conveyor belt wheels were greased!! And Mara made it via Dulles and got her visa on site at the airport without any difficulty whatsoever. All good! Our driver, Dawit, is someone Sharon met when she visited her daughter Kristine here 3 years ago while Kristine was working with UNICEF for 3 months as part of her MPH project--so thankful for relationships and people who maintain them! THANK YOU, Sharon!! He is a true gentleman and will be with us the next two weeks as we travel to Jimma and Bonga. He and his partner Hobtom joined us for a delicious lunch of injera, ful (thin bread with honey), eggs, lentils, beef, and of course macchiatos! The spread, which aptly fed 8 adults cost just under $30 USD, including tip! (for those interested, the exchange rate is approx 17.8 birr/USD; one hour of internet access the guest house is 30 birr)
It is just beautiful here--and I am inwardly and outwardly full of joy and thankfulness. The work which began months ago will be realized in the courses which begin on Tuesday...just received confirmation from Dr. Hailemariaum (Chief OB-GYN at Jimma University) that the OB interns will be among our students! Parallels how we train our residents...so thankful to partner and learn from one another. On Saturday we will travel another 3 hours south to much-more rural Bonga, where we will primarily teach Health Extension Workers who man the community health posts. Some of the students from Jimma who've taken the ALSO Instructor course we conduct in Jimma will join us to teach in Bonga...Train the trainer and put into practice!!
Along with the pitter patter of the rain goes my heart--
Thanks for partnering -- what a journey.
Sending my love,
Sarah
Turns out that was a great choice because as sure as the sun rises in the morning and sets in the evening, I am now enjoying the rhythmic pitter patter of rain splashing down from the heavens, hitting the mosaic tiled driveway of Weygoss Guest House, where we will spend this one night before heading to Jimma (6-7 hour drive) in the morning after picking up our printing order of >32K pieces of paper/syllabi for our students! The breeze and fresh air are welcome after walking earlier this afternoon through the smoggy, uneven sidewalks of Addis's main road, Bole/Africa Avenue. It will be good to have protection from the rain as we will soon walk to dinner...
It is good to be back in Ethiopia. After 26 hours of rather uneventful travel, the team arrived in Addis, greeted by Mike W, who is concluding his two years as a PeaceCorps Volunteer in Bonga and will head back to the US in just a few weeks. Great to meet everyone in person!! Huge answer to prayer--we (& our pelvic and neonatal mannequins) made it so smoothly through customs, it was as if the conveyor belt wheels were greased!! And Mara made it via Dulles and got her visa on site at the airport without any difficulty whatsoever. All good! Our driver, Dawit, is someone Sharon met when she visited her daughter Kristine here 3 years ago while Kristine was working with UNICEF for 3 months as part of her MPH project--so thankful for relationships and people who maintain them! THANK YOU, Sharon!! He is a true gentleman and will be with us the next two weeks as we travel to Jimma and Bonga. He and his partner Hobtom joined us for a delicious lunch of injera, ful (thin bread with honey), eggs, lentils, beef, and of course macchiatos! The spread, which aptly fed 8 adults cost just under $30 USD, including tip! (for those interested, the exchange rate is approx 17.8 birr/USD; one hour of internet access the guest house is 30 birr)
It is just beautiful here--and I am inwardly and outwardly full of joy and thankfulness. The work which began months ago will be realized in the courses which begin on Tuesday...just received confirmation from Dr. Hailemariaum (Chief OB-GYN at Jimma University) that the OB interns will be among our students! Parallels how we train our residents...so thankful to partner and learn from one another. On Saturday we will travel another 3 hours south to much-more rural Bonga, where we will primarily teach Health Extension Workers who man the community health posts. Some of the students from Jimma who've taken the ALSO Instructor course we conduct in Jimma will join us to teach in Bonga...Train the trainer and put into practice!!
Along with the pitter patter of the rain goes my heart--
Thanks for partnering -- what a journey.
Sending my love,
Sarah
Praying for you friend.
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