A Day in Addis

This trip came together so quickly at the last minute and I am thrilled that I was able to pull it off!! As you know, I don't have a job (yet) so it really worked out. I am volunteering Monday-Friday in an orphanage in Addis. It houses about 150 kids from infants to teenagers. Here I am outside the gate of the orphanage compound and the AAI sign.


The volunteers run the activities classes, teach American class and substitute when teachers are absent. Here I am teaching English with Cheryl, another volunteer.

The older kids seem to have a fairly good grasp of the English language and they are so proud to tell you if they 'have a family' and tell you what state they are moving to show you the family album. I have met so many wonderful older children (over age 7) and it is really hard to not want to figure out a way to get them all their own families. I have met several who are just amazing--so sweet and loving!

I am staying in a volunteer house with some other volunteers. Here is a picture of the bed in my room and me hanging out at the house.


We walk to work (about 15-20 min) every morning, getting there around 9 and stay til between 4 and 6.

If we are not teaching we are supervising chores or sitting in on another class or playing with the toddlers or holding the babies. Gosh, they are all so cute! One of the cutest things to see if all the toddlers lined up in their high chairs eating their injera with sauce or seeing all the babies lying on the floor in the morning. The children must be used to a variety of volunteers because it only takes them a few hours to warm up to you. On my first morning after about 45 minutes, two of the toddlers ran over and jumped into my lap. Too adorable! I feel so lucky to have this time to spend working with these children and talking to them. I am so appreciative that I get to know their culture. And Addis will feel so much more familiar when I return next year to pick up my child.

Addis... at first you can't help but notice the dust and the chaos on the roads

and the children in tattered clothes begging on the streets... it's a lot at first. But I am growing to like it more and more. The funniest thing to me is people think I am Ethiopian! I have lost count of the number of times someone has called me 'Habesha' (Ethiopian) or spoken to me in Amharic. Many, many people have told me I look Ethiopian! I never got that in the States-never- but it's kind of cool to blend in somewhat.
I have done some social stuff... been to Kaldi's for coffee

(yummy and cheap!) and to Harlem Jazz to listen to live reggae music.

I have eaten out a lot-- mostly due to the fact that we often have issues with lack of power or water. Still haven't tried any authentic Ethiopian food so that is next on the list!

Hope to post again soon if the power cooperates :)
I can't read comments so sorry if I don't respond. Those of you who know me know I am going thru major blogging withdrawals!!! I am frustrated not being able to read the blogs!!! lol

Well, I am off to eat dinner with the other volunteers. :)
More later!