So for part of my English discussion groups today I introduced the kids here to slackilining. I brought a short, 15m, line with me and set it up between a couple of trees. I started with the line pretty close to the ground to let the kids get use to it then moved it up to about waist height. It was great to see the kids want to keep pushing themselves to do better. I did have to bribe a couple of girls with candy to give it a try but everyone had a great time by the end of it. The kids grabbed my camera today and got a few pictures that I'll post later.
Not too bad a day considering I was technically working the whole day!
Not too bad a day considering I was technically working the whole day!
I have my English discussion groups tomorrow. One is with a group of kids who put on skits to raise awareness about a variety of topics affecting Ethiopia, FGM, forced marriage, HIV/AIDS, family planning. I'm honored to get to work with such a great group of kinds who are interested in making a difference in their country.
The other group I get to work with is at an orphanage. Most lost their parents to HIV/AIDS. What hasn't come up yet in our discussions is that I lost my father to AIDS over 20 years ago. I help these kids with basic English conversations and our conversations do get difficult at times but only because I will not sugar coat my answers to make it easier for me.
I'm still amazed that I am able to participate in all of this because of the US Army. It's still really early into this deployment and my life has already been changed a lot by this experience. .
The other group I get to work with is at an orphanage. Most lost their parents to HIV/AIDS. What hasn't come up yet in our discussions is that I lost my father to AIDS over 20 years ago. I help these kids with basic English conversations and our conversations do get difficult at times but only because I will not sugar coat my answers to make it easier for me.
I'm still amazed that I am able to participate in all of this because of the US Army. It's still really early into this deployment and my life has already been changed a lot by this experience. .
I've been in Ethiopia now for a little more than a month and I am still surprised that everyday I see something amazing and meet some pretty incredible people. There is a lot I think we could learn culturally from the people here in terms of friendliness.
Hey there,
I'm not much of a blogger but as I find myself with free time, I find that it's a nicer outlet to escape some of the realities around me. I am currently working in Ethiopia for the US Army doing humanitarian work and for the most part it's great but there are some aspects of this job that turn your stomach. Seeing first hand what Female Genital Mutilation is about was gut wrenching. It's sadly a practice that is still going on in this country and one area my team hopes to lend a hand in helping to change the perception of this practice.
That's all for now but I'll be back.
Jeff
I'm not much of a blogger but as I find myself with free time, I find that it's a nicer outlet to escape some of the realities around me. I am currently working in Ethiopia for the US Army doing humanitarian work and for the most part it's great but there are some aspects of this job that turn your stomach. Seeing first hand what Female Genital Mutilation is about was gut wrenching. It's sadly a practice that is still going on in this country and one area my team hopes to lend a hand in helping to change the perception of this practice.
That's all for now but I'll be back.
Jeff
