Tuesday 18 May 2010

Postponement

Postponement Notice!
 
Unfortunately due to escalating developments surrounding the Ethiopian Election the installment of 'The Tale of the Screaming Paint' is postponed till the next blog. This is to bring you an update on latest developments in this developing country. The Election is set for Sunday 23rd of May and although VSO have said they do not forsee any problems several measures have been put in place. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs (MFA) have decreed that all ferengis cannot travel without a travel permit; that means an official letter with all your details, reason for travelling, liscence plate of car you will be travelling in and people you are travelling with, all sealed with the usual Purple Stamp. VSO are requesting: 2 mobile numbers (not sure why as I have only one phone), that we identify a 'safe house' in our area (I nominated Colin's house as he has a landline but more importantly a fridge in which to keep the beer and a bbq set), that we get in enough tinned food and water to last four days, that we do not travel anywhere between Thursday 20th - Wednesday 26th May, that we avoid any public demonstrations, avoid public transport and stay away from any polling station. The quote on their last weekly update said: Did you know: 'Demonstrations and Protests lead to violence and unrest'!!! But still no need to panic.
 
Thought you'd like to know, makes you thankful for the 'democracy' of our own elections. It is actually amazing that opposition parties can at least pretend to be working together for the next five years. Here two oppostion leaders 'died' one of natural causes, the other in a bar brawl. And tonnes of people are being arrested for simply taking down an election poster - 6 months in jail!!!! The posters are hideous as the party symbol is a giant bee which looks like some mutant killer bee from a 70s Sci-Fi B Movie. But despite all these restrictions everything seems calm. Can't help feeling it is a little media frenzy at work. Though interestingly the EU Observers are here to ensure things go smoothly. I was a little perturbed when having coffee in a cafe an Ethiopian came up and asked if we were EU Observers, not sure what the locals think of them being here. But we saw some the other day and they were wearing blue body warmers with EU on the back including the EU stars in a cricle in bright yellow - looks like a target!!! Glad I am not one of them.
 
Well folks hope you are all well. I am really well on this, unusually, bright sunny day in Addis. I'll keep you posted on any updates.
 
Love to you all
Joanne x


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Thursday 13 May 2010

Blogless No More

Blogless  No More

 

Dear all blogees, please forgive my tardiness in the lack of blogs. It is not for want of things to share with you, but rather a want of time. It is a rather time consuming business trying to ensure that all 40,000 + teachers are up to date with their CPD and writing support material to help them grasp the subtle complexities of why their government (like all governments) insist in overloading teachers with yet more 'vocational' training. As if trying to ensure that their 6 classes of 75 + students get a good education doesn't take up enough of their time. Also it is a rather interesting prospect to convince teachers here that Active Learning Methods, such as small group work, project work, research methods, active participation etc is all good learning. A bit difficult when there are few or no textbooks, one broken blackboard, enough rough wooden benches for only half the class and no resources for the students. Ho hum, developing teachers in developing country is a daunting and humbling experience, especially when confronted with teachers' eagerness to learn and develop their own teaching and learning despite all these obstacles. How can I dare to get despondent when daily I am met with enthusiastic and willing teachers, genuinely concerned to bring the best education to their students. It is these people who keep you going, not the ever-creepy-smiling State Minister in his yellow and lime-striped impeccable suit who talks at you and tells you what to do even though you have tried to do that very thing half a dozen times only to be met with brick walls of excuses and incompetency's and cries of 'That's not the Ethiopian way of doing things..' Ah, can you tell I am in need of a holiday. Soon, soon. But before then I must regale you with 'Tales From the Compound'. And don't be discouraged, these tales do include episodes of gore and horror of Edgar Allen Poe proportions. Some titles include: 'The Tale of the Squealing Dog', 'The Tale of the Missing Head', 'The Tale of the Missing Vegetables'. But let us begin with 'The Tale of the Screaming Paint'…

 

Are you sitting comfortably? Then let is begin… It all began a few months ago…



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