Well, the 2007 “Seeing is Believing” tour is officially over, and I think it’s been a great success. Part of the intent behind this trip and blog is to bring us all a little closer to issues that we sometimes feel too removed from to understand. Everyone’s world is a different size. This trip provides an opportunity for us at CODE to share a part of our world of international development and education with you all.
I’ve been with CODE for 3 years, and have traveled through much of Africa since my first stint working as a teacher in Nigeria in the 1980’s. As such, the scenes and issues we’ve come across here in Ethiopia are familiar to me and that familiarity has likely been reflected in my blog entries. I have invited all the trip participants to share their thoughts and feelings on the blog. Below are a couple excerpts from emails written during our trip. More coming soon once everyone has had some time to reflect.
Ann
“We had a sunset walk by Lake Tana where we had a long chat with a young man as we walked, about the schools and the shortage of books. My letter cannot give you the story, everywhere we see kids going to school and trying their English on us. Even out on the lake there were small boys paddling home (in biblical looking boats made from reeds) from school with their books in their little boats. But I fear they may get some schooling and then still not have an opportunity in life. We had a meeting with the Minister of Education and some writers to discuss the publishing and distributing of books in the languages of the people. It was a very interesting meeting as they have been opening schools, universities and technical colleges at a rapid rate.” – Judy Thomas
“Ethiopia is actually doing pretty well, considering where it started from. The kids really do want to be educated. They go to incredible sacrifices to attend school. Things will get better. I've seen a hostel where teenaged girls sleep 4 to a room in a building with mud walls, thatched roof and straw on the floor, cooking their own meals. (The building is surrounded by barbed wire to keep the boys out.) Kids routinely walk 4 km each way for school. Class size is about 80. Textbooks have to be shared by 5 kids, if there are any at all. High school is taught in English, and a strong and nearly incomprehensible dialect is developing. Books become book-es, for example. Literacy is certainly a much better investment of my charitable instincts [than hand-outs to individuals].” – Bill Burt
About CODE
We believe when a child can read, they can learn to do anything.
For nearly 50 years we have been working with partners in the developing world to build literacy. To find out more visit http://www.codecan.org/.
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For nearly 50 years we have been working with partners in the developing world to build literacy. To find out more visit http://www.codecan.org/.
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Our Itinerary:
Nov 9-10/07: Travel from Canada to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Airport pickup by Timeless Tours.
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Nov 11/07: Free morning, wake up to a rich Ethiopian coffee and soak up the atmosphere. In the afternoon enjoy a guided tour of Ethiopia's capital city Addis Ababa, which means "New Flower" in Amharic. Attend a reception with CODE Ethiopia Board of Directors who are leaders in the world of education.
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Nov 12/07: Visit CODE's warehouse in Addis Ababa. See how locally published and donated books are distributed and catalogued. In the afternoon, visit Lidetta Reading Room and see what children are learning through CODE's work. In the evening enjoy free time in Addis Ababa.
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Nov 13/07: Spend the morning at Addis Alem reading room, which has just moved to a new location. Learn how an established library of its size has changed the community. Eat traditional Ethiopian food for lunch and spend the afternoon at Holletta Reading Room, where representatives of the Women's Affairs Office and director of the school will share their stories.
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Nov 14/07: Depart early in the morning for a day of overland travels through windy roads and past small towns to Bahir Dar.
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Nov 15/07: Visit Addis Zemen Reading Room and meet a local education officer who works with school children in the area. Take a boat tour across the majestic and mysterious Lake Tana, one of the fabled sources of the Nile. See the famous Blue Nile Falls and explore some of the area's ancient churches and monasteries. Meet an author who has been working on developing some children's books.
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Nov 16/07: Drive north through the Simean Mountains to Lalibela. In Lalibela meet community leaders who will share their thoughts on the role of education, tourism and the future of their country.
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Nov17/07: Of Lalibela's 9,000 people, more than 1,000 are priests. Take this day to explore some of the world's most astounding sacred sites: 11 rock-hewn churches, each carved entirely out of a single block of granite with its roof at ground level.
Nov 18/07: Watch as farmers from surrounding towns come to Lalibela's vibrant weekend market. Finish the day off with a glass of tej, Ethiopia's famous honey wine.
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Nov 19/07: Return to Addis Ababa for a day of souvenir shopping and an evening of cultural dancing. Watch a traditional coffee ceremony, where raw coffee beans are roasted and brewed right in front of you. But remember - it is impolite to retire until you have consumed at least three cups, as the third round is considered to bestow a blessing.
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Nov 20/07: De-brief with CODE Ethiopia staff, reflect on the trip and prepare for return home.
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Nov 21/07: Return home to Canada
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Nov 11/07: Free morning, wake up to a rich Ethiopian coffee and soak up the atmosphere. In the afternoon enjoy a guided tour of Ethiopia's capital city Addis Ababa, which means "New Flower" in Amharic. Attend a reception with CODE Ethiopia Board of Directors who are leaders in the world of education.
.
Nov 12/07: Visit CODE's warehouse in Addis Ababa. See how locally published and donated books are distributed and catalogued. In the afternoon, visit Lidetta Reading Room and see what children are learning through CODE's work. In the evening enjoy free time in Addis Ababa.
.
Nov 13/07: Spend the morning at Addis Alem reading room, which has just moved to a new location. Learn how an established library of its size has changed the community. Eat traditional Ethiopian food for lunch and spend the afternoon at Holletta Reading Room, where representatives of the Women's Affairs Office and director of the school will share their stories.
.
Nov 14/07: Depart early in the morning for a day of overland travels through windy roads and past small towns to Bahir Dar.
.
Nov 15/07: Visit Addis Zemen Reading Room and meet a local education officer who works with school children in the area. Take a boat tour across the majestic and mysterious Lake Tana, one of the fabled sources of the Nile. See the famous Blue Nile Falls and explore some of the area's ancient churches and monasteries. Meet an author who has been working on developing some children's books.
.
Nov 16/07: Drive north through the Simean Mountains to Lalibela. In Lalibela meet community leaders who will share their thoughts on the role of education, tourism and the future of their country.
.
Nov17/07: Of Lalibela's 9,000 people, more than 1,000 are priests. Take this day to explore some of the world's most astounding sacred sites: 11 rock-hewn churches, each carved entirely out of a single block of granite with its roof at ground level.
Nov 18/07: Watch as farmers from surrounding towns come to Lalibela's vibrant weekend market. Finish the day off with a glass of tej, Ethiopia's famous honey wine.
.
Nov 19/07: Return to Addis Ababa for a day of souvenir shopping and an evening of cultural dancing. Watch a traditional coffee ceremony, where raw coffee beans are roasted and brewed right in front of you. But remember - it is impolite to retire until you have consumed at least three cups, as the third round is considered to bestow a blessing.
.
Nov 20/07: De-brief with CODE Ethiopia staff, reflect on the trip and prepare for return home.
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Nov 21/07: Return home to Canada
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