It’s hard to believe that we are finishing up our first week
in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia! After a quick recovery from jetlag, we have been able
to explore the city, travel to Mt. Entoto, the highest part of Addis at 3,000
meters above sea level, and the former palace of King Menelik and Queen Taitu, and
see the Merkato – the largest outdoor market in Africa! We have even managed to
pick up some Amharic and are working on our negotiating and bargaining skills.
The people in Addis have been incredibly hospitable and kind, and we are
enjoying learning all about their culture and history. It is also rainy season
here, and Shelby joined us just in time to get caught in one of our heaviest
rains yet – it’s a good thing it is only two birr for a shoe shine!
On Thursday, we had a very successful first meeting with our
Project Prepare pilot team. Staff members and youth ally’s from all three pilot
organizations – AHOPE, Children’s Heaven, and Worldwide Orphans Foundation, as
well as members of other orphanages and organizations interested in
implementing Project Prepare came together to learn about the next steps of
this exciting program. Everyone agreed that such a Transitions Initiative was
necessary for the adolescents in their programs who are soon to be aging out of
care, and were eager to be a part of this innovative curriculum. We also
received very positive feedback about a coordinated service referral network
for adolescent youth aging out of care, and perhaps even a drop-in center for
youth that have already aged out of care. We are thrilled to have the
participation of these three wonderful pilot organizations, and are looking
forward to all working together to create an effective, long-lasting, and
successful Project Prepare!
AHOPE was generous enough to host this meeting, and
afterwards, we all enjoyed a wonderful home cooked traditional Ethiopian meal.
I think it was the best meal we’ve had yet! We were also given a tour of one of
AHOPE’s facilities, met some of their youngest children, and even saw their
tae-kwan-do class.
After such an exciting and eventful first week, we are
looking forward to meeting all of the youth participants and beginning Project
Prepare, and expanding IOFA’s work and impact!
Amharic Word of the Week: Ameseginalehu (ame-segi-na-lew) – Thank you
View of Addis Ababa from Mt. Entoto
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