09/05 /2001
  Meki - Ethiopia
  08°10 N   38°50 E
  + 268

Breakfast is time for us to eat the horrible Lariam pill. We stare at each other coldly as gulping down the medicine. Then we drink concentrated milk, and here we are, back in the school again.

Even if we live only 5 minutes from the school, we are late this morning; the pupils are nearly scolding us. They are always on time, some of them walking 5 kilometers to come here.

As you will see on the video, the classrooms are clean, with wooden banks, made by the mission's workers. In the air stands a quite strong smell : the pupils, sensitive to the cold, don't let us open the windows. At the end of the lesson, Sophie is the only to appreciate the intense smell of the black bodies.

All the children are here this morning, except Alem - some say he suffers from meningitis - and Mesfin, who had a fight with his family. Girls wear a long gown - the family's only one - and boys satchels with soccer stars on (Ronaldo, Salas, Zidane)... that were given by who knows which humanitarian shipping.  Anyway, the boys here know all about soccer in Europe.

The pupils are quite serious and remain quite silentious... except when we put the two classes together for Theo and Aurelie's theater lesson. But it's so encouraging to see in their eyes the will to learn. In the occidental world, school is lived as an obligation and an effort; here, it's a privilege and a chance.

Click on the picture and enjoy the VIDEO !

Our pupils  (Name - Age - Sex):

GROUP 1: Abreham Asamnew 16 M - Adanech Reta 15 F - Alem Feseha 16 F - Alemtsehay Abera 15 F - Asegedech Shibeshi 15 F - Aster Basaznew 16 F - Banchayehu Temesgen 12 F - Beritu Elemo 13 F - Dawit Tadesse 15 M - Ejegu Abate 16 M - Endashaw Sete 16 M - Fekadu Roba 17 M - Genet Belay 14 F - Guled Iman 14 M - Hirut Kuffa 14 F - Kassu Tafesse 16 M - Kokebe Asfaw 13 F - Lemlem Bisrat 15 F

GROUP 2: Ethiopia Eshetu 14 M - Lemlem Daniel 13 F - Martha Gebre 15 F - Meaza Ayalew 14 F - Mekonnen Bekele 14 M - Meron Fekru 14 F - Mesfin Addisu 15 M - Meskerem Abebe 15 F - Mihiret Gonjo 14 F - Million Kinfe 14 F - Misrak Woji 14 F - Senait Gebissa 15 F - Shewa Kedir 15 F - Tesfaldet Aron 14 M - Tilahun Getachew 16 M - Tsehay Belay 15 F - Yechalework Edeti 15 F - Yeshibaher Mechal 14 F

The english level of knowledge and understanding seems a bit higher in the first group than in the second. We'll keep you informed.

 
Here, poor people have a name and a face. They really demand you to call them by their name.

During this stay, I learn you have to 'Live the Poor', and not only come and see him. You have to live on his side, and forget your own comfort.

The prejudice are only alibis and close our heart.

Theo

 

INTERNET in AFRICA

Even if 10% of the World's population live on the Continent, Africa is far behind regarding the internet users. Less than 1% of the African people is connected, from a study published in 2000 by the US Internet Council, 'State of the Internet 2000'. From this study, Africa counts less than 2,5 millions users.

There is a huge difference between the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere. There are about 90 million users in USA, 140 millions in Europe, 70 millions in Asia. Furthermore, most of the African users live in South Africa.

The World Bank (www.worldbank.org) and International Monetary Fund (www.imf.org) have planned a technology development strategy for the Continent. But the Africa Technology Forum, a non profit organization, seems to offer a much better response: it's a real interface between the african companies.

We believe that Internet is a big opportunity for Africa. In terms of education, business, communication... But let's talk about this on the Forum with the Community !

 

An ordinary day at school. We may go and see the hyenas tomorrow night or have a dinner in a restaurant. In general, except the work here, we never decide what we should do in the next 24 hours. A traveler often knows where he comes from but not where he goes.

PS: don't hesitate to leave us comments on the Forum about the mission. We'll answer the next day.

team@nomadcommunity.com - loako@hotmail.com
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