Speech at the Embassy!

Here is the English version of the speech I gave today: I luckily also have a video of the Amharic version that I know I will enjoy looking back at during or after service to see how my language skills progress!

                 

First of all I want to say congratulations to each of you: together we made it through PST!  Weeks full of technical training, learning how to wash our clothes by hand, giving and receiving gorsha, and of course learning a new language.  We have been faced with a new environment and culture, away from our friends and families back home, and every day there were challenges and experiences that required us to adapt and respond.  I want to share a quote a fellow volunteer shared with me:

“Tis not the strongest of species that survive nor the most intelligent but the most responsive to change.” 

This is an empowering message to keep with us as tomorrow we spread out throughout Ethiopia and each day will adapt and respond to situations and to our environments. 

From talking with you all I think a lot of us, myself included came to Ethiopia thinking we had a lot to offer and teach- and while this is true, I have discovered how much there is to learn from the people of Ethiopia.  Three lessons (of many) that we have learned during our time in PST from the people of Ethiopia: people-to-people connection, hospitality, and patience.  Buna ceremonies, being welcomed into everyone’s homes, and our compound families being patient as we ask their names ten times o day one.  Each of these lessons have made us stronger and better people.

Now I want to take the opportunity to say a few thank you’s: First of all, to the Peace Corps Staff: Thank you for your ongoing support, help and expertise.  To the Language and Cultural Facilitators: You are all incredible teachers, friends, and people, and some of the most patient people we know: A huge thank you for all of your time and hard work!  To each of you in G12: Best of luck at your site! I feel lucky to be a part of this G12 family!  Thank you for everything you have done during PST.

A final word and thought to leave you with: Endurance.  Step by step and little by little we will endure challenges placed in our paths and at the same time we will celebrate the successes (no matter how big or small)! When we are feeling overwhelmed or like we are alone—remember that although we each have our own Peace Corps path, we are all in this together! In the words of Chad, although he said he cannot take credit for the phrase, “Gobez of Go Home!”

                

In 12 hours I leave for the three hour bus ride to my new home in Mezezo.  It will be a hard transition, once again saying goodbye to a family I have made; but I will use the strength gained during PST as well as all the support and love of my family and friends across the world: A sincere thank you to each of you!  Internet will be nonexistent for the next 8 weeks, until I return to Addis on June 8th for more training.  However I will journal and take good note of the happenings so I can fully report afterward!  My address will be changing and will become a permanent PO Box at my new site in about 2 weeks, and so I will post my new address when possible.   Much love to all!!!