03 09 07
on J and M in Assosa (Ethiopia), 02/Sep/2007 07:29, 34 days ago
Sunday, 2nd SeptemberAt one stage this weekend I wondered if I would be able to complete the blog as the electricity went off on Friday at 7 30 pm and after a while we realised that again it was just our area. We could see the street lights on in the next road which was very frustrating. We spent an interesting evening playing draughts and scrabble by candlelight and it was bedtime before we knew it. Needless to say we were on the Electricity Bureau’s doorstep before they were open on Saturday am. It was heartening to see that they were well organised and the guard took down our details. We called back after our trip to the market and were assured, again by the guard that the problem was sorted and it was, much to our relief. We had a visionof the electricity being off again for days.(Just discovered that next door has still got no electricity so perhaps there are further problems to come).We have had a rather frustrating week at work as we are trying to make progress in a number of projects at once:1 An NGO has given a million birr to the MI but it must be spent before the end of December. This requires following the national procurement procedures and involves one person going to Addis for 30 days to be available to give possible bidders the requirements, then at least 3 of the staff going to Addis for the opening of the bids. As this coincides with the Millennium period I think there will be a lot of competition for this task. This is only to spend part of the money as there are different procedures for different purchases.2. The recommendations from the Workshop concerning the 10 year Strategic plan need to be implemented.3. Our own Training Programme needs to be continued. There are 4 more courses on the brochure between now and December. Trainers and Manuals need to be organised not to mention selling the courses to the Bureaus. The MI staff recognise that with the last 2 courses the MI has gained positive recognition and as one of them put it they are able to’ hold their heads up’.4. There is to be 2 training sessions at the MI for 144 people each over a 20 day period. This is to start at end of September and will take all the MI resources to organise.Of course in addition with the Millennium some staff wish to take annual leave at this time.On top of this Mulatu has developed a nasty cough, not surprising as he runs about in just a T shirt in the coldest, wettest days. We have never known him to be ill so this cough concerns us and we are feeding him lemon and honey and aspirin. We have also bought him a warm jacket which he is absolutely delighted with. The shop keeper asked 120 birr at first but when we all laughed and walked away he ran after us and negotiated and agreed on 60 birr (less than£4), probably the correct price. They automatically double the prices for ‘ferenjis’! Mulatu has just bought a bike at 500 birr and would rather spend his money on that! Traditionally in Ethiopia you get new clothes for the New Year so this will be his new clothes and will hopefully keep him warm too.Chest conditions like bronchitis are endemic in Ethiopia and illnesses like TB and bronchitis are a big problem. Not surprising because of the damp, the rain and living at such a high altitude. This summer ( Ethiopians call this time‘summer’ which is a bit confusing as it is their coldest time) has been slightly warmer in general than last summer but this has meant regular very heavy mists and fog which hang over the town for long periods and must be far from healthy. We do miss our central heating and warm Swedish house at times.