Home From Ethiopia

I’ve been home for a little over a month now.  My trip was extraordinary!  I traveled with a group of 10. I only knew Dr. Soronsen prior to the trip. I was a little nervous about setting out on a two week journey with eight other people I didn’t know. I quickly got over that as the group was a fantastic group of women. Dr. Soronsen was the only male. We had a blast!

We traveled throughout the country.  We flew but also had several all day bus trips where we were able to see and experience the country. I expected to see poverty, but was still staggered by the enormity of it all. Despite the poverty, I was amazed by the happiness and contentment of the people I met.

I fell into a pattern of waking up at 4 am, Ethiopia time. As a group, we generally had breakfast at 8 am. At 6 am I would venture out of my room and go for a walk looking for coffee. I usually found a coffee house or a pastry shop where I could journal, (amongst the men).  Walking back to the hotel, I usually encountered students walking to school. I was approached by curious students. They would practice their English on me and always had many many questions.  One of my co workers had sent me on my way with bags to give as gifts. I honestly didn’t understand who I was going to give gifts to, but I packed them and these kids on my morning walks got bags. Canvas bags to carry school work in. Talking to the kids, one of the common themes I found was that they needed pens. 

I made contacts to send school supplies back to two schools in two different villages.  I told a co-worker about this. She held a pen drive at work and I have over 250 pens to send back to the schools I made contact with.
I saw beautiful churches and mountains.  I met happy shiny people.  I came back appreciating everything I have, but most importantly empowered.  Where I live, I am not told that I cannot do something because I am a woman.  I can work, I can go to school, I can provide for my son as a single mother, I can.  I can do anything I want. I do not have government nor culture or society telling me I cannot go to school or tell me how to make art or tell me what spiritual doctrine I am supposed to implement on my son and I. 

I have never felt so free.
My experience was powerful.
~m