ETHIOPIAN TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Volunteering with ANSO to teach English in Fantelle, Ethiopia was an
unforgettable experience. I had the honor of working with eager students as
well as helpful local teaching assistants to help implement a program that
assists in educating the future adults of a community of amazing people.

The three-week long teaching experience was intense and left me a better
teacher than when I arrived. The days were long and prep work took up some
evenings, however it was extremely rewarding and we noticed growth and
progress in the students over that time period. The ELBC program is fairly
young and of a grass-roots nature, therefore there is no specific curriculum
to follow. Originally, this proved a bit stressful for us teachers who are
used to following one, and then it gave way to an amazing freedom to meet
the students where they were at and center lessons on their authentic lives.
The gratitude from the Karayu people for our teaching contribution was
humbling, to say the least. The work that I do each day in Canada was
something they sought after and were very thankful for. I, in turn, am
thankful for all that they taught me, which is indeed much more that I was
able to give.


There certainly were challenges along the way, such as navigating through a
culture and language that is not my own, teaching students who are used to a
different teaching style, and lack of first-world conveniences. Yet, not
one of these challenges was ever an insurmountable problem. They were
easily solved with the help of my co-volunteer teachers, and the other
incredibly helpful and kind staff of the ELBC program. I signed up for this
experience hoping that it would challenge me in ways I was not being
challenged personally and professionally in my day-to-day life. It did, and
also rewarded me in the same way.


The English Language Boot Camp is an amazing program that is mutually
beneficial to Canadian volunteers and the Karayu people of Fantelle. To
witness the relationships that are built as well as the knowledge and
compassion that change hands during this program is nothing short of
incredible. I feel a deep connection to the people I met in the community
and am inspired by the grass-roots movement to better their community
through education. I champion ANSO's mandate and work in Ethiopia and am
grateful for the opportunity to be involved.

Lauren Price
French & Spanish teacher at the Comp.
December 3, 2013

March 16, 2013 - Good work is being done in Ethiopia

16 March 2013 –  Chris, Bruce, Lance and Adbi flew back to Addis Ababa.  Three weeks ago the hale and hearty group began travelling around Ethiopia reviewing the initiatives of ANSO, Swan City Rotary, and other affiliates.  As one might expect certain initiatives are being phased out in favour of strengthening existing projects or beginning new programs.  Details on the various initiatives will be discussed during two days of meetings in Addis before Chris heads home, and via emails over the next couple of months.

Now travel weary, all agree that the majority of initiatives have greatly assisted targeted Ethiopians in their quest for a better life using the effective model of direct philanthropy applied by ANSO and the Swan City Rotary Club.

March 15, 2013 - International coverage of ANSO/Rotary support

15 Mar 2013 (1) Raptor on 4th floor scaffold, Nogob Hotel, Jijiga
15 Mar 2013 (2) Press interview (l to r) Bruce, Chris, Abdi, Dr Abdinasir, Interviewer
15 Mar 2013 (3) TV coverage of books sent to Jijiga University by Swan City Rotary
15 Mar 2013 (4) Bruce and Chris, pointing to Swan City Rotary logo on SeaCan used to ship books (primarily), office and lab equipment to Jijiga, Ethiopia

15 Mar 2013 (5) Chris receiving certification of thanks from the Jijiga University presented by Dr Abdinasir.JPG
15 Mar 2013 (6) 

March 15, 2013 – Chris, Bruce, Lance and Adbi left for Jijiga University to meet with the press.   The same sights (unloaded SeaCan books, office and laboratory equipment, bicycles) and similar discussions took place today as yesterday, but this time with Adbi in attendance and 3 camera crews covering the event.  The broadcast aired internationally the same day and was well received by viewers.

March 14, 2013 - The SeaCan arrived at Jijiga University!

14 Mar 2013 (1) Ghost in shower ... Even with valves shut, water in shower would occasionally run, Blossom Hotel, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia
14 Mar 2013 (2) Mohammed Ahmed and Danny
14 Mar 2013 (3) Rock formation en route to Nigiga - used as picture on one brand of local sparkling water
14 Mar 2013 (4) l to r Lance, Chris, Dr Abdinasir, Bruce, Dr Abdinasir's office, Jijiga University
14 Mar 2013 (5) Jijiga staff and GP Rotary in front of some books sent by Rotary, Jijiga University

March 14, 2013 –  We signed out of the Blossom Hotel after breakfast and began our journey to Jijiga and noted several  vehicle accidents along the way never dreaming our number was about to be called.  While driving through Harar a truck backed into the road.  While Danny had already begun to pass around this vehicle a fellow sprinted across the road from behind the truck.  Danny had to swerve across the lane to avoid a possible fatality, and the fellow bounced off the passenger side of the van.  Another unfortunate fellow across the street was in line with the swerving van and was also hit on the driver's side of the van.  The first fellow was miraculously unhurt other than a few bruises.  The second fellow (Mohammed Tofin Ahmed) had a foot injury so we took him to a local hospital and had him x-rayed.  Fortunately no broken bones were evident.  Danny negotiated a signed release and we were on our way just 2 hours after the start of the mishap.  A few centimetres or a fraction of a second, or a slight error in turning the steering wheel, could have led to a serious accident or fatalities.  A rather officious traffic officer also held us up outside Harar but the rest of the trip to Jijiga was, thankfully, uneventful. 

We signed into the Nogob Hotel in Jijiga, then went to Jigiga University where we were greeted by the president of the university, Dr Abdinasir Ahmed, and other university officials.  We spent the afternoon touring the university libraries and storage facilities where the Swan City Rotary books and other supplies were being sorted and stored.  Bruce and Chris were ecstatic to see that the container had actually arrived, and that in the very short time the university had had to work on it, significant progress in unpacking, sorting and making books available to students had already been made.  There was absolutely no doubt that the university considered this shipment a huge step forward in their ability to provide quality education to their students and that they felt they had discovered the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!  What fun to see such enthusiasm!