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!