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Update 6 - 7th August 2005

FUN FROM THE FIELD 4: BITS AND PIECES
It is ‘mortar board’ time in Tigray. The academic year finishes at the end of June and Graduation Ceremonies abound. Every night on TV one sees thousands of young folk graduating from universities and colleges of higher education. It is quite an event in the lives of young people and their families. Every student is donned with mortar board (with different coloured tassels) and black academic robes. Flowers (plastic) are given to the graduates at the end of the Ceremonies and many pictures are taken. It is a field day for photographers. One wonders however how many graduates will become employed. Obtaining qualifications is the most important thing in the lives of most young folk and their families. I have been told that there is also great emphasis being placed (thankfully) on obtaining technical qualifications e.g. construction work, plumbing, electricians etc…

When I moved into my house a friend told me that a pack of hyenas roamed around this particular area. I half scoffed at the idea - hyenas so close to town - no way. Until the other evening when I was returning home (thankfully in a vehicle) and there was this great big hyena lopping along in the middle of the road. Boy, I won’t be venturing outside on my own in the night. Now I can account for the strange howls that sometimes wake me up in the middle of the night.

It is so great discovering little treats when one goes shopping; I now have oats, sultanas, dates and raisins so can make my own muesli. I have custard powder and often make custards - an old childhood favourite with bananas which are very plentiful and cheap. AND I have discovered a shop that sells really yummy bread rolls and CHEESE. Hallelejah. My life is complete!!! Well, at least some of my culinary needs are being met. Still have to find a good wine.

Last Sunday ORSA (where I work) had an ‘away-day”. All the Central office staff piled into a bus and headed off to a town called Wukro about 40 klms from Mekelle where we had breakfast - an omelette in a bread roll then off around rolling hills for about 15 klms to visit Abreha Atsbeha. This is one of the oldest rock - hewn churches in Ethiopia. According to some archeologists, the church is believed to have been built not earlier than the 10th Century. Tradition, however, dates it back to the 4th Century. It is absolutely incredible how these churches have been built out of solid rock. Back in Wuckro we had a traditional Ethiopian lunch - enjira (the basic staple food - a flat pancake type measuring about 20 inches across ? centimeters) chicken with berberi (very hot - wow), rice, salads, vegetables eggs, all is eaten with the hands (which are always washed beforehand). Great idea -really saves on the washing-up - I’m all for it. After lunch special prizes were given to staff who had been selected for good work performance throughout the year. Zonal staff gave updates on their activities. Then it was time for wheelchair presentations (donations from an American organization). I was then asked to make the presentations (knew nothing about this beforehand). I put on a brave front (as most of you know of my views on imported wheelchairs) and duly gave the wheelchairs to some of the disabled living in the area. Al least it will enable them to be mobile and off the ground. The manufacturing of locally appropriate wheelchairs is a high priority on our list of ‘things to do’.

Helen P,
7th August 2005.