Reconnect: 150 days

 It is hard to believe I have passed the 150-day mark in Ethiopia.  This milestone happened to fall during a weeklong “Reconnect” training in Addis, where all of the G12 volunteers came together.  We hadn’t seen each in 9 weeks, and therefore we were thrilled to reunite!

Among the many health-related topics that we learned about during Reconnect, there are two I would like to highlight:

1.      The extent of the challenge of open defecation (OD) and the implications of it.  There is lack of infrastructure in some places and there also is a need for behavior change.  Diseases related to OD lead to a child dying every 2.5 minutes globally. 

a.       I hope to work in the area of OD by increasing education about the issue and by promoting positive behavior change.

2.      Salve (skin ointment) making: On a charcoal stove, we used beeswax, and spices (cinnamon, ginger, rosemary and chamomile) ground with a mortar and pestle to make salve.  The properties of these particular herbs/spices that we chose are incredible!

a.       Cinnamon: stimulates circulation

b.      Ginger root: relieves joint pain

c.       Rosemary: anti-bacterial, anti-microbial

d.      Chamomile: soothing and relaxing

The completed salve is shown on the right, with the preceding steps on the left!

Reconnecting with the other G12 volunteers allowed us to share stories (like the time I drank 12 sinis-a small cup that is used for coffee-of buna in one day because of so many invitations, ask questions (what kind of food is everyone making?? Who has a funny story involving a mix-up in language? ), and brainstorm solutions to challenges (like how to cook on a charcoal stove or how to adapt to a different definition of time).  Sharing stories and questions together allowed us to discover that we have each faced many similar challenges, helping us to realize that while at times in our small and rural towns it may seem like we are alone, we really all are in this together, although we each have our own unique Peace Corps path shaped by the people and experiences specific to our sites.

Some of my wonderful fellow G12 volunteers!

Addis Ababa was certainly bustling with cars and people, a slight shock to the system after spending 9 weeks in Mezezo, a town of 2,200 people! My friends and I were able to explore the city; including a very powerful, extremely moving and eye-opening visit to the Red Terror Museum (which was created in 2010 by victims and survivors of the Red Terror- a time in which people were persecuted to the extreme and many, many died.) We navigated the city both on foot and by line taxi (a van with about 12 seats- but may or may not fit about 24 people-, where you “hop on”/”squeeze in” and yell “warajallah” when you’re ready to get off).  Rides are between 2-5 birr depending on the distance.  For reference, 20 birr=1 USD.

The hotel that we stayed at was conveniently across the street from Meskel Square, where dozens and dozens of people exercise each morning.  People run, play soccer, do pushups and squats on the steps (for CO folks think along the lines of Red Rocks- but dirt and longer rows), and others are participate in group workout classes.  I joined a group of about 25 people on Wednesday morning at 6:30 AM (12:30 local time to add to confusion/aid in cultural exchange!) for the “Wednesday Project,” which is inspired by the “November Project” (free group workouts in big cities across the US, such as DC).  It was exhilarating to be with this energized group, meeting people from all over the world who are living and working in Addis, and who share a common passion for health!  I suppose it might be a bit of a stretch to commute to Addis every Wednesday morning from Mezezo for the Wednesday project workout.  Luckily my morning running routine has continued in Mezezoand now often involves a few young kids and another participant who leads a high intensity karate/plyometric workout after we run together in the morning (we are the only two participants for now but stay tuned…).

I have many ideas for programs/projects to possibly implement in Mezezo, such as nutrition lessons for mothers, making a permagarden and planting locally available foods, and helping with an English Club at the High School.   It felt really good to return to Mezezo, where people greet me by name on the street, and where the sense of community is very strong!

The Wednesday Project workout crew!

I also enjoyed Reconnecting with family and friends across the globe when I was in Addis- it is always so wonderful to catch up and see familiar faces (thank you FaceTime and Skype) and hear familiar voices.  Know that I miss you all every day and you are in my thoughts and prayers!

The Reconnect training in Addis was a great reminder for me about the importance of connecting with people in life, no matter how near or far they are.  I challenge you to send an email or text, write a letter, or make a phone call this week to someone you have perhaps not connected with recently, and see where the reconnect takes you!

Thank you for reading:

            For now and until next time: Selam naw! (It is peace!)