What I've been up to...

I really enjoy my morning walk to the health center. It's only about five minutes. It's usually pretty quiet and sometimes the lighting is right so you can see the mountains in the distance with enhanced clarity. Whenever I walk into town the mountains look different, they always look new in someway. Now that it's started raining everyday they are more green - they remind me of 'The Sound of Music' and I imagine myself running up the side and singing a song. I crack myself up. 

For now I've still just been hanging out at the health center getting to know the staff and observing how things work. I was able to go with one of the nurses to a neighboring health post to get to know one of the health extension workers there. We had to go by horse cart which is not what one would call a comfortable ride. But I know things could always be worse - while we're bouncing along on the bumpy dirt road I think to myself 'at least I'm not a laboring mother' - pregnant women in labor come to the health center by horse cart (some come by ambulance if one happens to be available) and two times already I've seen a laboring mother give birth within 30 minutes of getting off the horse cart. I don't have words to describe it, I am in awe. Just getting on and off a horse cart while in active labor is not something I can imagine much less enduring the bumpy ride. These women are something special. Anyway the health post that we went to isn't too far, I could walk there in about an hour and next time I think I'll do just that. It will bring me pleasure to go for a walk and I can take some photos along the way. People don't walk around without a purpose, whenever I'm on my way somewhere people always ask where I'm going, and for those people who feel a responsibility for me here I have to have an answer - if I said 'oh you know just over there a little ways, I promise I'll come back' I don't think they would let me go on my own! The health extension worker at this health post seemed interested in working with me so hopefully we can figure out some projects to work on together. Unfortunately language is an issue, my Oromifa isn't that great and her English isn't that great so there will be some struggles for sure. 

View from the health post that I visited

I've gone to the two schools in town, we have one primary and one secondary, and have been introduced to the students. Both times all the students are gathered outside, staring at me while my counterpart takes advantage of the opportunity to do some health teaching (gobez!) before introducing me. I'm really thankful that I got to be introduced in that way, that all the students in attendance got to see and learn about me at the same time. I think it was effective. The director of the secondary school (9th & 10th grade) has shown an interest in working with me (like the most interest out of everyone) so I'm excited to see what we can figure out. 

The walk to the secondary school 

Part of the way is lined with cactus, it's peaceful!

I also had a community meeting arranged and facilitated by Peace Corps where I was formally introduced to the important community leaders. We had a good turn out and I was well received. I wasn't surprised, I can't say enough how welcoming and supportive this community is. One of the older men who came said (my translation), 'yeah I saw her last week at the market, we exchanged greetings, she knows Oromifa' and like that's all I needed to do to be accepted by him. Everywhere I go whenever I see someone looking at me I greet them in the local language because 1) it's awkward to be stared at and if I say something it dissipates the awkwardness, 2) as soon as people hear me speak in their mother tongue it brings a smile to their face and who doesn't want a smile and 3) it helps people feel comfortable with and accepting of this new outsider in their community. 

Now that I've been introduced to lots of people, more and more I'm being called by name. Rather than calling out 'Ferenji' to get my attention the kids will say 'Angela!' It's pretty cute. Of course there is still the occasional child screaming 'Faaaa ren jeeeeeee!' like their head is about to explode because I'm the most exciting thing they've seen all day. The other morning a little girl was wailing and carrying on after a little boy did something to upset her but upon seeing me she stopped mid-wail and said with a surprised voice 'Ferenji?!' and immediately stopped her carrying on to watch me walk past. All of us who saw this shared a collective laugh. It feels strange to have this effect, all I can do is laugh. 

Love from Ethiopia!