Rock Star in Addis
As you know I have been busy at the Ministry with Oh-so-important-work for the country. But I am also getting to see real life in Ethiopian schools. 2 young teachers literally came knocking at my ministry door seeking help for their primary school. They want to set up an ELIC in their school. Now all ELICs at present are based in Universities and Colleges so this is a pioneering idea to set one up in a primary school. I suppose it is a bit like having an English Club but more specialised and formalised. I was very excited by the idea and was invited to visit the schools and see what their plans are. As the school is so far away one of the teachers came yesterday to show me how to get to his school. When we got there he showed me round the school and introduced me to the staff. At break time all the students wanted to shake my hand. They kept coming up to me and shook my hand, I could hardly get to the cafeteria they crowede me so much. My only glimpse of what a rock star may feel like. I was then officially invited as the Ministry Representative to their flag ceremony and ELIC launch this morning. I got up early and put on my best Ministerial suit, looking all official. I successfully negotiated the three line taxis to get there – it is on the edge of the city in a very quiet almost rural setting – beautiful. So I was feeling all pumped up in my good suit and positive about getting there on my own. I made my way down the last dirt track to the school thinking about what I would say in my address to the 2,000 pupils when I managed to slip on the only puddle in the street (remember there is a drought here!). So I arrived in less than Ministry or Rock Star style covered in mud, with ripped trousers and a bloodied knee. Oh, how the Lord likes to keep us humble. I even had to address the students and staff with one trouser leg rolled up to 'air' my bloodied knee. But the staff couldn't have been nicer and tended to my wounds, though I was stared at and laughed at by many of the children. I know now how to keep my place – with my feet well and truly planted on the ground!! Also the conditions of the school opened my eyes to the true challenges facing education in
Love to you all and hope there are still some leaves left on the trees to cheer your day. Just remember this, when a student was asked today what he didn't like about the school he said that he liked the IT club but was disappointed it only had four computers (with no internet). This for a school with 2,000!! The lack of books, cracked blackboards, lack of free school meals for the poorest kids….. all for another day.
Love Joanne x
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