Ethiopia Team Sunday

After a long flight we touched down in Ethiopia. We got our bags and made our way outside and were greeted by typical English weather….rain! After a run through the car park, our baggage was, to put it mildly, thown onto the top of the mini buses and then off we went to Hotel Lido.

It was still raining when we found our rooms, which were small, basic but fulfilled our needs. We had a much-needed 2 hour break, to sleep and reenergize, and then we regrouped for a light brunch of omelettes and bread rolls.

Then came our highlight of the day: an eye-opening tour of Addis Ababa. It was only the first day but already we could see what an amazing experience this trip would be. We felt guilty for watching the people when we were driving through the city, separated only by the windows of the minibus. These people are not a tourist attraction but human beings, who we should not ignore in favour of our own comfort, and who deserve better than this. It was a great learning curve and we are sure everyone has been enlightened and changed by the experience we had today.

First day of teaching tomorrow, wish everyone luck!

By Marianne Scotland, Rebecca Linford and Emily Parsons

PS from Helen (team leader and blog post-er!): the internet in Ethiopia is very erratic, so please don't be alarmed if we don't post a blog each day, or if I only get a few photos on. Thank you if you can work on the 'no news is good news' philosophy, and i'll do all I can to get news to you each day - as a mum of travelling daughters I know how much it is appreciated!