Bev, from CAFOD’s Addis office made the visit up to Mekele with Sophie and Helen from the Brixton offices. There were a variety of reasons for their visit, including youth development programs and gaining an overview of the Daughters varied and valuable work in Mekele. I’ve pointed them in the directions of my writings, and those of John that I feel give both a detailed and personal overview of their work. There is nothing like seeing it all first hand though and they managed to fit in a great deal in the 24hrs or so they were here before heading to the Diocese offices in Adigrat.
It was the first time that Tommy and I also had a forum for sharing our experiences over dinner on the Friday night. I certainly began to realise just how much my experiences here were changing me. As many of you will know, I often try to make light of situations to protect myself from the often difficult reality of situations. However, for the first time me and Tommy began to talk about just how much our first two weeks had meant to us.
I am still adamant that this whole experience is such a privilege and an honour. I am feeling more and more integrated into the culture of these street children spending many hours outside of the classroom with them. Every volunteer has a different connection with the children here, and the situation changes as such that it is impossible for anyone to replicate the work of others. Even between myself and Tommy there is a huge difference in style and approach; something I believe is healthy not only for us but also the children. They told us, Tommy is like their father, and Alex Ferguson; and I’m like their brother, or Wayne Rooney or Michael Ballack! I know we both feel part of the Abba Gebremichael family and the way they speak with such fondness of previous volunteers I know that our legacy here will remain for years to come. That is a pretty powerful thought and one I am only beginning to gets to grips with.
On Friday afternoon, we had our usual collective escorting us home. After carrying our bags all week, and always being a huge fan of post-school Friday afternoons I suggested we headed to Milkana for juices all round. You could tell the boys were really excited about just visiting a café to hang out with us. Perhaps the 22Birr we spent on them could have been put to better use, whilst on the other hand, seeing these five boys sitting in a trendy café being able to order whatever they liked brings such pleasure to their lives. Even in a very poor country, there are still very clear cultural and financial divides. Our boys are pretty much the bottom of the pile, but for just a short while we have the power to transport them to the other world. A world that I hope that with hard work on their part, and the continued commitment of the Daughters as well as people like myself these children will one day get to experience on their own merit.
As we were walking back to St Vincent’s’ Gary said to me, “My English has improved so much in the last two weeks, even Daniel says so. If I pass 9th Grade, I’ll always remember you for the rest of my life. Actually I’ll probably remember you anyway.” He then made me promise to return so that he could prove to me that he could pass 9th grade. I couldn’t promise, but I hope and pray that one day I do get to see these children succeed and fulfil all their goals. They owe me a Mirinda or two for a start!
It was the first time that Tommy and I also had a forum for sharing our experiences over dinner on the Friday night. I certainly began to realise just how much my experiences here were changing me. As many of you will know, I often try to make light of situations to protect myself from the often difficult reality of situations. However, for the first time me and Tommy began to talk about just how much our first two weeks had meant to us.
I am still adamant that this whole experience is such a privilege and an honour. I am feeling more and more integrated into the culture of these street children spending many hours outside of the classroom with them. Every volunteer has a different connection with the children here, and the situation changes as such that it is impossible for anyone to replicate the work of others. Even between myself and Tommy there is a huge difference in style and approach; something I believe is healthy not only for us but also the children. They told us, Tommy is like their father, and Alex Ferguson; and I’m like their brother, or Wayne Rooney or Michael Ballack! I know we both feel part of the Abba Gebremichael family and the way they speak with such fondness of previous volunteers I know that our legacy here will remain for years to come. That is a pretty powerful thought and one I am only beginning to gets to grips with.
On Friday afternoon, we had our usual collective escorting us home. After carrying our bags all week, and always being a huge fan of post-school Friday afternoons I suggested we headed to Milkana for juices all round. You could tell the boys were really excited about just visiting a café to hang out with us. Perhaps the 22Birr we spent on them could have been put to better use, whilst on the other hand, seeing these five boys sitting in a trendy café being able to order whatever they liked brings such pleasure to their lives. Even in a very poor country, there are still very clear cultural and financial divides. Our boys are pretty much the bottom of the pile, but for just a short while we have the power to transport them to the other world. A world that I hope that with hard work on their part, and the continued commitment of the Daughters as well as people like myself these children will one day get to experience on their own merit.
As we were walking back to St Vincent’s’ Gary said to me, “My English has improved so much in the last two weeks, even Daniel says so. If I pass 9th Grade, I’ll always remember you for the rest of my life. Actually I’ll probably remember you anyway.” He then made me promise to return so that he could prove to me that he could pass 9th grade. I couldn’t promise, but I hope and pray that one day I do get to see these children succeed and fulfil all their goals. They owe me a Mirinda or two for a start!Over dinner whilst sharing all our stories with Bev, Sophie and Helen I was reminded of a story I have not included so far. One that fits nicely here and I think really sums everything up about this place I still can’t believe I have been lucky enough to visit.
Our first mass at Don Bosco school was interesting for a variety of reasons, but not a particularly spiritually enriching one for me. I had real issues with the priest decided the message of the readings was that ‘God needs someone to suffer and you are those people’. It is a terrible acceptance of a situation and one I don’t feel is particularly neither helpful nor inspiring to the small group of Catholics in Mekele. However, whilst making conversation at the end of mass, Tommy received a far more poignant and relevant message that could be preached the world round. One of the congregation, asked him if he was enjoying Ethiopia, and Tommy replied that he had found the people very friendly and welcoming. The man replied to him, “Ah that is because in the west people have lots of things and are greedy and just want more and more and more. Here, the people have nothing, so caring for other people means more than looking out for yourself.”
I still can’t believe we still have over two weeks left here. I can’t imagine how many more little moments will hit us so hard.
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A stomach upset from the vegetable soup on Friday night has equally hit me hard. It’s my first illness of the trip and luckily has come at the weekend. I am also fortunate to have the wonderful nurses Sr Desta and Sr Fana who have been truly amazing. I think they know what being ill in bed and generally feeling rubbish can do for your morale and Sr Desta went and picked me some flowers to cheer me up. As well as the big massive things that affect you when being involved in such work over here, it’s also the little things that make a real difference.
Our first mass at Don Bosco school was interesting for a variety of reasons, but not a particularly spiritually enriching one for me. I had real issues with the priest decided the message of the readings was that ‘God needs someone to suffer and you are those people’. It is a terrible acceptance of a situation and one I don’t feel is particularly neither helpful nor inspiring to the small group of Catholics in Mekele. However, whilst making conversation at the end of mass, Tommy received a far more poignant and relevant message that could be preached the world round. One of the congregation, asked him if he was enjoying Ethiopia, and Tommy replied that he had found the people very friendly and welcoming. The man replied to him, “Ah that is because in the west people have lots of things and are greedy and just want more and more and more. Here, the people have nothing, so caring for other people means more than looking out for yourself.”
I still can’t believe we still have over two weeks left here. I can’t imagine how many more little moments will hit us so hard.
---------------------------------
A stomach upset from the vegetable soup on Friday night has equally hit me hard. It’s my first illness of the trip and luckily has come at the weekend. I am also fortunate to have the wonderful nurses Sr Desta and Sr Fana who have been truly amazing. I think they know what being ill in bed and generally feeling rubbish can do for your morale and Sr Desta went and picked me some flowers to cheer me up. As well as the big massive things that affect you when being involved in such work over here, it’s also the little things that make a real difference.
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