Preparing for the trip

I set up this blog to report back from a trip to Ethiopia in September / October 2007. I don't know how accessible the internet will be along the way, so here are a few shots from an earlier trip by a travel companion.

Two days til take off and there is a bit of confusion around the house. This is normal with 5.50am departures. What to pack and what to leave? Have I done everything I need to before exiting from work for three weeks? What have I forgotten? Appeased by the thought that most things don't really matter that much - unless they are in the tickets, passport, credit card category.

A picture from the archives in anticipation of more up to date shots. These women damage their hands and feet by handling toxic plant material used to make rope. The earnings are not great, but they don't have a lot of choice of ways to make a living. In fact, this could be their only option.

These people are very resourceful but they are also very poor. They rely on rainfall to produce crops for food and that doesn't always come. So they are grateful for any assistance with sustainable development initiatives.

Building a new classroom for Degan High School. Sponsors supplied the funds, the community provided labour and the government gave them certification and other resources. Collaboration works!

The school day runs in two shifts so more students can be accommodated. Many have to work as well as study, so couldn't attend full time even if the school could take them. Watch this space for updates on the trip.