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
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| 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.
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| 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!
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| 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!)
