A Plea

A Plea

 

Dear all, just back in the office after a most frustrating day. Left the office at 2pm to go to the bank to cash the cheque for our expenses for our trip. Sat in the car for 45 mins while my colleague ranted about something other – it was all in Amharic, but raised voices mean the same thing in any culture. The driver and I had a lovely chat – with him having no English and me with no Amharic. But I did discover he had 3 children, one of who was in Beirut and he has a grandchild. I even saw photos from his wallet!!!! I managed to tell him my mum had 13 grandchildren – he was most amazed and I desperately wanted to show him some photos (hint, huge hint to my family – I am still waiting!) but all I had was a photo when Martin was about four and Maria two. But we had fun trying to work out what the other was saying. Normally conversations revolve around football but when I said football he had no idea what I was talking about – which was refreshing. Finally went off to the bank who confiscated my cd, full of boring work things. We went to cash our cheques only to be told this wouldn't happen as they were not purple stamped. EVERYTHING official here needs a purple stamp. So I waited at the bank while Tsegaw returned to the ministry to get the purple stamps. I used the time to call a colleague and finalise plans for our joint workshop. Tsegaw returned half an hour later thinking I was sitting in the long snaking queue keeping us a place. Oooppsss. Needed to be outside to get a reception on the phone. Finally got through the queue. When we got to the first desk Tsegaw asked me to produce my id. 'Id?' I said. He looked strangely at me. I did consider telling him I didn't have it (he never asked me to bring it!) but Ethiopians don't have the same humour and I really think he may have had a heart attack. So I produced my Ethiopian id and got a token to collect my money (after passing go and getting out of jail free!) It turns out Tsegaw needed photocopies of his id to get a token, which of course he didn't have. Another panic and another ten minutes while he ranted at bank staff, who have huge security guards with guns on their side, producing no results. He had to return with photocopies, 20 minutes later, then receive his token. Finally we got our money and off we set for the ministry. But alas, alack no I was to be abandoned miles form the ministry and find a line taxi back to work as he sped on to do something else somewhere else. I got back to the ministry at 5pm. We started this journey at 2pm and all I had to show for it was 1,200 Birr for expenses – that's about £50! Phew a very frustrating afternoon – but there is no getting to know beuraucracy like experiencing it!!!! Helps me to know more about about life and culture here.

 

THE PLEA

But on the other side of things I visited one of my schools who is setting up an ELIC. I have told you about them and more to come – its 5.30pm and I want to get home. These are amazing guys who want to set up English clubs in their school – but they have absolutely no resources. So here comes the plea: Can I please ask you to send stuff to me. And I thought what would be a good and quick start was if everyone could gather together all the free posters and free cds you get in newspapers and send them to me. They will be flat, easy to package and post and quite light. It wont matter if I get duplicates and it will only cost you the postage. And it should get here relatively quickly. This will be a great start and a great support to them. Obviously if you want to do more and send books or anything else that would be great. Sorry I can't remember the address right now, but my mum has it. This could be your Christmas present to me. We throw away so much and these guys would use this material in such a brilliant way. I am really excited by their work and I have already established a good contact with them, even tried explaining what haggis was! You could be a part of that. It would be wonderful. I'll post the address when I have it, but please start collecting now. Many Thanks, Joanne. Don't forget my email address is joanneecairns@hotmail.com

 

Sorry have to dash now. Also, I am off on an 18 day trip touring the country as part of my Ministerial duties – wow how lucky can a girl get. Its all by car and our first destination is an 18 hour drive!!! But just imagine what I'll see. And through this blog you'll get to see it too. Not sure how much electricity and internet connection there will be so don't worry if you don't here from me, I'll be back blogging (and bragging) before you know it.

 

I hope everyone is well and I take a part of each of you with me.

Much love as always

Joanne X

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