Food for Thought

Thursday 2nd October

Addis Ababa is situated at about 2000m above sea-level, higher than many European ski resorts. The sun was strong yet the air cool. The city is surrounded by lush, green hills. It looked surprisingly modern and orderly. There was no chaotic driving but we did have to swerve to avoid a few donkeys on the ring-road (recently built by the Chinese).

Zenebe took me to visit the Street Children's Breakfast. Hundreds of children are feed a banana, bread and warm milk every morning. For many, this is the only meal they have each day. As I entered, the children rose to their feet and sang me a welcoming song, before going to fill their empty stomachs.

I then went to visit the school run by Hope Enterprises. I saw many of the older students engaged in all sorts of vocational training, including electronics, carpentry, metal work, mechanics, cookery and hospitality. I then observed a Year 7 maths class being conducted in English and the younger children gathering their books for the term from the well-equipped library.

Zenebe then drove me to the construction site of Hope University College, which Ethiopiaid is funding. It is due to take its first students in 2009. I arrived at lunchtime so there didn't appear to be much work going on, but the buildings are really taking shape. The plans have been scaled down slightly due to the spiraling costs of building materials but it will still be a fantastic place.

After a brief visit to the leper colony and a bite to eat, Zenebe dropped me off at the airport for my flight to Dire Dawa. The aeroplane was tiny and relied on two propeller engines, yet the flight was smooth. I was met by my colleague John from Ethiopiaid Ireland and after freshening up we went for dinner. After deciding we just wanted drinks, the waitress brought out two plates of unappetising, luke-warm injera and a cold meat stew! We felt rude leaving it so ate as much as we could before making a hasty retreat to a nearby bar.