Yesterday was a travel day with an early morning visit to the local Lalibela primary school. At the school we distributed two big boxes of pencils. The visit was moving as the children performed a song a dance. We’ve seen a lot of school children during these past 10 days. The joy we’ve encountered in every room full of children, who have so little to enhance their learning experience, seems to leave us all a little emotionally drained as we revisit over and over again how much we take for granted. This vignette is sometimes overwhelming but is also the driving force behind our certainty that there are wonderful things ahead for this nation of hard-working, sincere and concerned people.
We leave Lalibela wanting more and feast on the scene below the aircraft – mountains, farms and beautiful Lake Tana.
Back in Addis Ababa and our trip is winding down. It’s hard to believe how quickly these days have passed. This morning we spent some time talking to the Executive Director of CODE Ethiopia, Tesfaye Dubale. We shared a lot of observations, reliving moments and reflections we’ve had during the past 10 days.
This afternoon we’ll spend some time shopping and soaking in a little more of this busy city before sharing our last meal together tonight. Over the course of the week we've come to know each other and really appreciate each others’ thoughtful observations and different perspectives. We've agree to share our photos and meet again soon for a meal back home.
Ann
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.
.
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.
.
Nov 21/07: Return home to Canada
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