I am finally in Lalibela – the replacement flight went off without a hitch on Friday morning. Admittedly, it felt like the longest flight in the world as it called at every possible stop (domestic flights here are a little like busses!), but I was very grateful to get to Lalibela and get settled in again.
I’m also glad I got the chance to take that extra hot shower at the hotel – I have arrived to no running water in my house, so it’s back to collecting water from a tap outside and washing out of a bucket. I’m getting better at washing my hair in this way, though, so practice makes perfect!
Before I left Addis, I did manage to visit the orphanage and get some updates on how things are going.
First, I dropped off lots of pens, pencil cases, paper and small toys which had been donated to us by staff at my local (in England, obviously!) branch of WHSmith. The orphanage also recently had a visit from a Hanna’s Orphanage supporter from England, J, who bought with her clothes and toys as well as a very useful cash donation!
I do wish there was a way for us to cost-effectively ship donations over so that we could take advantage of the things people offer us (computers, for instance), but it’s just not feasible. Instead we rely on people like J who are holidaying in Ethiopia and are kind enough to get in touch with us before their trip, asking if they can take anything. We also do believe that most things the orphanage needs can be bought in Ethiopia rather than the UK, thus putting the money into the local economy rather than shipping companies.
Anyway, the small things we do bring over are welcomed, and will often be used as rewards for children who have got high marks at school, or made really good progress.
I then spent a little while with Hanna, who has been sick over the last few weeks. As I’ve said before, Hanna is the reason the orphanage exists, and she does the work of 5 or 6 six normal people - rushing round between branches of the orphanage, liasing with donors, managing staff and meeting with government officials. I was lucky to catch her in the office – blink, and you’ll miss her! She still manages to give every child the attention they need, though, and the children clearly adore her – as do most of the staff! She has recovered from her illness, thankfully, and now seems to be glowing with health!
Of course, the orphanage have had a stressful few months, with two children being seriously ill in hospital (see ‘Prayers and Thoughts’, 10th April, 09). I am pleased to say that both children are out of hospital, but both are still sick and need careful 24 hour care. One of the children has lost her sight and a lot of her mobility as a result of her illness, and although the Doctors say she may recover,
it’s not certain. Please keep them both in your thoughts and prayers, and if anyone does want to make a donation, we are currently creating an ‘emergency fund’ which we hope will be able to provide money for situations such as these, when children need extensive medical care and help. (You can donate through the website, www.hannasorphanage.org.uk)
Other than that, things seem to be ticking along nicely at the orphanage, although they are still waiting for the money we transferred to them to arrive. Hopefully it should be there on Monday – very frustrating!
As I was leaving, I managed to see one of the girls, H, who I met on my very first trip to Ethiopia. We write to one another when we can, and it’s great to watch her grow up. She has big exams coming up in the near future, so I’m keeping my fingers crossed for her, and looking forward to seeing her afterwards.
Now, though, I have to get ready to launch myself into my work with LEAP on Monday …
Friday, 15 May 2009
Tuesday, 12 May 2009
7th May 2009
I just knew saying how much I loved airports was going to come back and bite me on the ass!!
Today, I crawled out of bed at 4.45am and the lovely M took me to the airport to check in for my 7.30pm flight to Lalibela. The first sign that things weren’t going to go plan was the fact I’d lost my ticket and couldn’t find it anywhere. I emptied all my bags and searched all over E and M’s house, but it was nowhere to be seen.
I was sure actually checking in would be no problem as my booking would be on the computer system, but getting past the guards and into the airport itself would be an issue: they’re very strict on the rule you have to show ID and a ticket before being able to go in. But the only option was to try, so I loaded all my bags on a trolley and went with M to try and explain to the guards.
For the first time ever, the guard didn’t ask for my ticket, just checked my passport and waved me through. Fantastic! I hurriedly waved goodbye to M and shot over to the luggage scanners, before they changed their mind!
Check in was fine, and the lovely man organising it found my booking on the system without a problem. He didn’t even notice that my luggage was just slightly overweight (with teaching materials … and, er, books for me). So far so good.
I went up the escalator to the departure lounge, looking forward to having a cup of tea in my usual café while reading my book, and then having a good sleep on the plane. I got my cup of tea, finished a couple of chapters of my book and we boarded roughly on time.
A note about boarding domestic flights in Ethiopia (although it may be the same in all countries – I have no idea!). There are no fixed seats on domestic flights so it’s a bit of an ‘every man for himself’ situation, but I’ve got it down to a fine art now. Normally you go from the boarding lounge to a bus, and everyone rushes to be on there first – there’s really no need. If you’re last on the bus then you’re first off the bus – and that’s where you really need your running shoes!
Being British, I like to appear polite and give the impression I’m not really trying to push past that Monk and the pregnant woman and get on the plane first, but who am I kidding? So I do this kind of running walk/shuffle and I’m getting quite good at being within the first ten on the plane, thus securing a coveted window seat.
But I digress.
I dozed as we waited for the plane to take off, but I woke up as we started taxiing along the runway, gathering speed for the take off. Abruptly, we stopped, and I heard the pilot say ‘doors open’. Hmm. I wasn’t particularly awake, but I guessed that wasn’t good.
I was right, it wasn’t. The pilot announced there was a mechanical failure, so we would be waiting at the airport until it was fixed. This has happened to me once before when I was flying from Addis to Lalibela, and they had tried to fix it for 30 minutes or so before transferring us to another aeroplane, so I wasn’t particularly worried and settled down to read my book.
But 30 minutes later the pilot announced that it was going to take a lot longer than they thought to fix the problem, and it would be much more comfortable for us to wait in the airport. He had a point – it was becoming stiflingly hot on the plane, and everyone was getting irritable and restless.
So we all trooped off of the plane, back on the bus (no running this time!) and back to the airport lounge where we sat for a further 45 minutes or so, before a very nice man came over and told us that the plane was unlikely to be mended in the next hour and the airline would be providing us with refreshments. Great!
We were led into an airport café where we were given vouchers and told we could get a hot breakfast – except the only thing I could see being cooked was omelette, and I hate eggs. When I asked one of the waitresses if there was anything else but egg, she just shrugged and grunted. I, being a drama queen, flounced off back to my table and sulked until a nice lady came over with some cake and tea for me. Suitably embarrassed, I thanked her and ate my breakfast with no further complaint.
I can’t remember how long we sat there, but I was acutely aware of Ab and A waiting for me at Lalibela airport. I couldn’t even call them as there’s no phone reception there, although I sent Ab a text message just in case it got through. I could only hope that the airport staff there would tell them (which they’re normally quite good at doing).
Typically, the minute I decided to nip off to the loo was when everything started happening, and I came back to café to find people collecting bags and quizzing airport staff who were waving lists and muttering into crackling walkie-talkies. I soon discovered that our plane was broken, there were no other planes to take us, and the afternoon flights to Lalibela had been cancelled because of strong winds. So all passengers travelling to Bahir Dar were led off to be rebooked onto the afternoon flights, but Lalibela passengers were taken to the immigration area while they tried to figure out what to do with us!
I attached myself to few people who looked as if they knew what was going on, and eventually the airline people reappeared to tell us we’d been booked into a four star hotel, would be reunited with our luggage and then put on flights the next morning. I was so grateful, as I’d started to fear we’d have to fend for ourselves and that we would never see our luggage again. Totally unfounded fears, as it turned out.
Thankfully, I also managed to get hold of Ab so I could apologise profusely for making him wait at the airport for 3 hours!
So I am currently sitting on my bed in said four star hotel after a lovely lunch of fish goulash and rice. The hotel staff and airline staff have been great, and I’m very excited that I get to have one more proper hot shower before going back to Lalibela. Bliss!
Today, I crawled out of bed at 4.45am and the lovely M took me to the airport to check in for my 7.30pm flight to Lalibela. The first sign that things weren’t going to go plan was the fact I’d lost my ticket and couldn’t find it anywhere. I emptied all my bags and searched all over E and M’s house, but it was nowhere to be seen.
I was sure actually checking in would be no problem as my booking would be on the computer system, but getting past the guards and into the airport itself would be an issue: they’re very strict on the rule you have to show ID and a ticket before being able to go in. But the only option was to try, so I loaded all my bags on a trolley and went with M to try and explain to the guards.
For the first time ever, the guard didn’t ask for my ticket, just checked my passport and waved me through. Fantastic! I hurriedly waved goodbye to M and shot over to the luggage scanners, before they changed their mind!
Check in was fine, and the lovely man organising it found my booking on the system without a problem. He didn’t even notice that my luggage was just slightly overweight (with teaching materials … and, er, books for me). So far so good.
I went up the escalator to the departure lounge, looking forward to having a cup of tea in my usual café while reading my book, and then having a good sleep on the plane. I got my cup of tea, finished a couple of chapters of my book and we boarded roughly on time.
A note about boarding domestic flights in Ethiopia (although it may be the same in all countries – I have no idea!). There are no fixed seats on domestic flights so it’s a bit of an ‘every man for himself’ situation, but I’ve got it down to a fine art now. Normally you go from the boarding lounge to a bus, and everyone rushes to be on there first – there’s really no need. If you’re last on the bus then you’re first off the bus – and that’s where you really need your running shoes!
Being British, I like to appear polite and give the impression I’m not really trying to push past that Monk and the pregnant woman and get on the plane first, but who am I kidding? So I do this kind of running walk/shuffle and I’m getting quite good at being within the first ten on the plane, thus securing a coveted window seat.
But I digress.
I dozed as we waited for the plane to take off, but I woke up as we started taxiing along the runway, gathering speed for the take off. Abruptly, we stopped, and I heard the pilot say ‘doors open’. Hmm. I wasn’t particularly awake, but I guessed that wasn’t good.
I was right, it wasn’t. The pilot announced there was a mechanical failure, so we would be waiting at the airport until it was fixed. This has happened to me once before when I was flying from Addis to Lalibela, and they had tried to fix it for 30 minutes or so before transferring us to another aeroplane, so I wasn’t particularly worried and settled down to read my book.
But 30 minutes later the pilot announced that it was going to take a lot longer than they thought to fix the problem, and it would be much more comfortable for us to wait in the airport. He had a point – it was becoming stiflingly hot on the plane, and everyone was getting irritable and restless.
So we all trooped off of the plane, back on the bus (no running this time!) and back to the airport lounge where we sat for a further 45 minutes or so, before a very nice man came over and told us that the plane was unlikely to be mended in the next hour and the airline would be providing us with refreshments. Great!
We were led into an airport café where we were given vouchers and told we could get a hot breakfast – except the only thing I could see being cooked was omelette, and I hate eggs. When I asked one of the waitresses if there was anything else but egg, she just shrugged and grunted. I, being a drama queen, flounced off back to my table and sulked until a nice lady came over with some cake and tea for me. Suitably embarrassed, I thanked her and ate my breakfast with no further complaint.
I can’t remember how long we sat there, but I was acutely aware of Ab and A waiting for me at Lalibela airport. I couldn’t even call them as there’s no phone reception there, although I sent Ab a text message just in case it got through. I could only hope that the airport staff there would tell them (which they’re normally quite good at doing).
Typically, the minute I decided to nip off to the loo was when everything started happening, and I came back to café to find people collecting bags and quizzing airport staff who were waving lists and muttering into crackling walkie-talkies. I soon discovered that our plane was broken, there were no other planes to take us, and the afternoon flights to Lalibela had been cancelled because of strong winds. So all passengers travelling to Bahir Dar were led off to be rebooked onto the afternoon flights, but Lalibela passengers were taken to the immigration area while they tried to figure out what to do with us!
I attached myself to few people who looked as if they knew what was going on, and eventually the airline people reappeared to tell us we’d been booked into a four star hotel, would be reunited with our luggage and then put on flights the next morning. I was so grateful, as I’d started to fear we’d have to fend for ourselves and that we would never see our luggage again. Totally unfounded fears, as it turned out.
Thankfully, I also managed to get hold of Ab so I could apologise profusely for making him wait at the airport for 3 hours!
So I am currently sitting on my bed in said four star hotel after a lovely lunch of fish goulash and rice. The hotel staff and airline staff have been great, and I’m very excited that I get to have one more proper hot shower before going back to Lalibela. Bliss!
Coming and Going
I’m used to flying backwards and forwards to Ethiopia – this is probably my tenth trip – and I’m normally really looking forward to it. I have to confess that this time I wasn’t. In fact, there was a heavy sense of dread in my stomach as I did the last bits of my packing, and a growing voice in my head that said ‘I don’t want to go’.
The main reason behind my reluctance was pretty simple – I wanted my life in London back. I’d spent a lovely day on Sunday in and around London, doing the kind of thing I would have been doing on a bank holiday weekend if I still lived there (mostly sitting on rail replacement bus services, if I’m honest, but even so …) and I was – yet again – leaving that life and my friends again, and going back to a place where I am forced to confront my character flaws at least 3 times a day! No surprise that I wasn’t rushing to get on the plane.
But luckily some of my long-suffering friends talked me round (advice summary: “you’re going, deal with it’), I had coffee with a friend who always manages to inspire me, and quite frankly, even I had started to get bored with my self-pitying moaning.
So by the time I’d got to the airport, I was feeling slightly more positive.
Of course, the other thing that helped is that I love airports. Really, really love them. I don’t know why, but I could sit for hours in an airport (departures or arrivals, I’m not fussy) and no matter how rubbish I’m feeling, I start to brighten up. I think it’s partly because I love to watch the huge variety of people around me and wonder what they’re doing there. Where are they going? Who with? Why? Who’s come to pick them up? How long have they been away and what did they do there? Basically, I’m nosy, and what better place to people-watch than an airport?
Then there’s the fact that it’s a ‘limbo’ of sorts. You’ve left, but you haven’t quite started the journey. I’m not particularly good with limbo, but I am good at spending time in a place where everything I need for a good afternoon is nearby – chocolate, books, tea, and a comfy seat – and I have no responsibilities or decisions more taxing than ‘Wispa or twirl?’
Eventually I did have to leave the womb of the departures lounge and I’m now in Addis, staying at E and M’s. I fly to Lalibela tomorrow, and have mixed feelings about it. I’ve already got wind of the frustrations that await me there (and this time, it has absolutely nothing to do with the local community and/or culture!) and it makes my heart sink.
But I’m here, it’s sunny and warm, I have injera and wat for dinner, and E and M’s baby breaks into a huge grin every time I walk into the room. It could be worse!
The main reason behind my reluctance was pretty simple – I wanted my life in London back. I’d spent a lovely day on Sunday in and around London, doing the kind of thing I would have been doing on a bank holiday weekend if I still lived there (mostly sitting on rail replacement bus services, if I’m honest, but even so …) and I was – yet again – leaving that life and my friends again, and going back to a place where I am forced to confront my character flaws at least 3 times a day! No surprise that I wasn’t rushing to get on the plane.
But luckily some of my long-suffering friends talked me round (advice summary: “you’re going, deal with it’), I had coffee with a friend who always manages to inspire me, and quite frankly, even I had started to get bored with my self-pitying moaning.
So by the time I’d got to the airport, I was feeling slightly more positive.
Of course, the other thing that helped is that I love airports. Really, really love them. I don’t know why, but I could sit for hours in an airport (departures or arrivals, I’m not fussy) and no matter how rubbish I’m feeling, I start to brighten up. I think it’s partly because I love to watch the huge variety of people around me and wonder what they’re doing there. Where are they going? Who with? Why? Who’s come to pick them up? How long have they been away and what did they do there? Basically, I’m nosy, and what better place to people-watch than an airport?
Then there’s the fact that it’s a ‘limbo’ of sorts. You’ve left, but you haven’t quite started the journey. I’m not particularly good with limbo, but I am good at spending time in a place where everything I need for a good afternoon is nearby – chocolate, books, tea, and a comfy seat – and I have no responsibilities or decisions more taxing than ‘Wispa or twirl?’
Eventually I did have to leave the womb of the departures lounge and I’m now in Addis, staying at E and M’s. I fly to Lalibela tomorrow, and have mixed feelings about it. I’ve already got wind of the frustrations that await me there (and this time, it has absolutely nothing to do with the local community and/or culture!) and it makes my heart sink.
But I’m here, it’s sunny and warm, I have injera and wat for dinner, and E and M’s baby breaks into a huge grin every time I walk into the room. It could be worse!
4th May 2009
The Hanna’s Orphanage fundraising gig raised over £500, which may not sound a lot, but in the current economic situation, I think we can be happy! So thank you again to everyone who donated, attended, told friends, or bought raffle tickets. We really appreciate it, and hope you will continue to support us.
The money will be added to other money we’ve raised and will pay the rent on a branch of the orphanage in Hosanna. It will also provide computer skills to the children and staff in the orphanage, as well as to some children from the local community.
It’s not too late to donate – just go to www.hannasorphanage.org.uk and pay via paypal (you don’t have to have a paypal account to do this) or you can send a cheque to the address on the website.
The money will be added to other money we’ve raised and will pay the rent on a branch of the orphanage in Hosanna. It will also provide computer skills to the children and staff in the orphanage, as well as to some children from the local community.
It’s not too late to donate – just go to www.hannasorphanage.org.uk and pay via paypal (you don’t have to have a paypal account to do this) or you can send a cheque to the address on the website.
Friday, 1 May 2009
Hanna's Gig - April 2009
The Hanna’s Orphanage Fundraising gig was a big success – we had a great turn out, the music was fantastic, the venue was lovely and the raffle prizes were fancy (Ipod Shuffle, anybody? Cakes? A Month's membership at David Lloyd gym? Boot Camp? Lots of lovely cakes? Who could ask for more!). Thanks so much to everyone who came along, and especially those who donated or bought raffle tickets. I’m not certain how much we’ve raised yet – it’s being counted – but we’d made around £350 on the raffle alone when a rough count was done during the evening.
This is our 6th gig (or thereabouts – it may have been 5?) and I have definitely come to the conclusion that the gigs are much better when I’m not involved in organising them. As touched upon before, I am a rubbish hostess, and organising a gig (which is essentially a large party!) is not my forte at all. Luckily, I have the fabulous Maria who organises them all!
They probably take place around 2 or 3 times a year, and so many people support us for free: from the Abbey Bar who let us use their venue, to the sound guys who come and work for us, to the companies and individuals who give raffle prizes. And of course, then there are the friends who are regularly bullied into selling raffle tickets and brandishing collection buckets.
Interestingly, our fundraising gigs would never have started if it weren't for the internet. Nearly all of the music acts we have playing for us were discovered on the internet (myspace etc.) and guests are still mostly invited via myspace and facebook. So a clear case of the social networking sites being used for something fabulous!
As soon as I know how much we made, I will update you. All the money raised will go towards paying the rent for some of the children’s houses in Ethiopia, particularly the Prisoners’ Children’s Homes’ (see Sunday 3rd August 2008 blog post) in Jimma, Harar and Hosanna.
For more pictures and videos from the gig, please go to www.myspace.com/hannasorphanage, and if you want details of the next gig, please email me or Maria at maria@blueskyonline.co.uk
This is our 6th gig (or thereabouts – it may have been 5?) and I have definitely come to the conclusion that the gigs are much better when I’m not involved in organising them. As touched upon before, I am a rubbish hostess, and organising a gig (which is essentially a large party!) is not my forte at all. Luckily, I have the fabulous Maria who organises them all!
They probably take place around 2 or 3 times a year, and so many people support us for free: from the Abbey Bar who let us use their venue, to the sound guys who come and work for us, to the companies and individuals who give raffle prizes. And of course, then there are the friends who are regularly bullied into selling raffle tickets and brandishing collection buckets.
Interestingly, our fundraising gigs would never have started if it weren't for the internet. Nearly all of the music acts we have playing for us were discovered on the internet (myspace etc.) and guests are still mostly invited via myspace and facebook. So a clear case of the social networking sites being used for something fabulous!
As soon as I know how much we made, I will update you. All the money raised will go towards paying the rent for some of the children’s houses in Ethiopia, particularly the Prisoners’ Children’s Homes’ (see Sunday 3rd August 2008 blog post) in Jimma, Harar and Hosanna.
For more pictures and videos from the gig, please go to www.myspace.com/hannasorphanage, and if you want details of the next gig, please email me or Maria at maria@blueskyonline.co.uk
Tuesday, 28 April 2009
Hanna’s Orphanage Fundraising Gig – TOMORROW!
Slightly late notice, sorry!
If you’re in London, please come along to our second live music fundraising night of 2009 on 29th April, 7.30pm – 11.30pm. We have the customary raffle, a silent auction and of course top notch live music from some truly amazing acts plus some lovely little treats along the way too.
Playing for your ears’ pleasure are:
Lee MacDougall - lee is simply amazing. He causes quite a stir wherever he plays. Have a little listen at www.myspace.com/leemacdougall
Rhys Morgan - Rhys is signed to Sony/BMG and is about to embark on tour supporting the group 'Ben's Brother'. A truly amazing performer and a hit with the laydeez! www.myspace.com/rhysmorganmusic
Lotte Mullan - A meltingly gorgeous singer / songwriter who combines folk, blues and pop to create something truly sensational. Catch her at www.myspace.com/lottemullan
Jamie Abbott - a pop artist with songs that resonate. With influences ranging from Dizzee through to Lamontagne he has a unique sound which is complimented by a distinctive vocal. He'll have that foot tapping away! www.myspace.com/jamieabbottmusic
Molly and Charlie - a gorgeous blend of pop, dance meets acoustic folk kinda vibe. Truly unique. Fans of chart topping dance music will recognise Molly as the voice behind several chart topping, floor filling tracks such as 'Raindrops'. Check them out at www.myspace.com/mollyandcharlie
We are looking for a great turnout, so please tell friends and colleagues. Spread the word! The more the merrier and the more we can raise for a worthy cause.
Music starts at 7:30, but get there early for a bite to eat and take advantage of happy hour (e.g. all cocktails are £3.50 between 5-7 and Wednesdays carry very special offers on all wine!)
It's all in aid of the Hanna's Orphanage charity and all profits will go towards supporting our work in Ethiopia and the educational work we do with young people in the UK. If you want to know more, visit our facebook group, website (www.hannasorphanage.org.uk) or myspace (www.myspace.com/hannasorphanage) or feel free to get in touch (maria@blueskyonline.co.uk).
Venue:
Abbey Bar
30-33 Minories
EC3N 1DD
Nearest tubes are Tower Bridge and Aldgate
For more details see www.abbey-bar.co.uk
Changes
As you will have noticed, I have ‘spruced up’ the blog slightly (got to take advantage of the UK internet connection). There are a few photos, a new title, a different layout, and links to the charities I work with. I have also gone through and made a few changes – obscured names where I’d forgotten to, and reworded some things where I’d been careless.
Until about a month ago, I was under the impression that only my Dad and a few other family members read this blog and so wrote it accordingly. Rather naïve, possibly. As it turns out, quite a few people read it, and it’s about to be circulated a bit more widely, so I want to make it suitable for everyone to read.
I also want to distance the blog slightly from Hanna’s Orphanage. The content won’t change at all, but the original plan was for the blog to be just about the charity – and it’s quite clear things have deviated slightly! I share a lot of my own personal ‘journey’ on here, and it’s not right if my (not always correct) views appear to be the official views of the charity.
So there we are.
Until about a month ago, I was under the impression that only my Dad and a few other family members read this blog and so wrote it accordingly. Rather naïve, possibly. As it turns out, quite a few people read it, and it’s about to be circulated a bit more widely, so I want to make it suitable for everyone to read.
I also want to distance the blog slightly from Hanna’s Orphanage. The content won’t change at all, but the original plan was for the blog to be just about the charity – and it’s quite clear things have deviated slightly! I share a lot of my own personal ‘journey’ on here, and it’s not right if my (not always correct) views appear to be the official views of the charity.
So there we are.
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