Addis: Getting my bearings!

So I am still in Addis, getting my bearings? Mmm well let’s say that my parents’ house, my dad’s office and the IRC office are all on the same road (Bole Road – me thinks!). There are about 4km between the house and the IRC office which happens to be like 350-400m from the airport. I have a perfect view of it! I walked back from work today… still short of breath due to the altitude but I think I did pretty good timing considering the conditions: I think it took me 25 minutes to walk abt 4k in wedges hilly terrain… Not doing so bad I’d say!

At some point I shld ask my mum where she gets stuff like good quality fresh produce. There are a few “supermarkets” where you can get imported goods but they are pricey, besides getting the fresh produce from smaller shops contributes to the local economy! The process is not quite like hunting and gathering but it does requiring browsing…J

Otherwise I have been reading on the return and reintegration project for refugees once they get back to Sudan. This is so “cool”. Since the repatriations remain voluntary, while still in Ethiopia they are informed about the current situation in Sudan.

The project has two components:

1) Informed Return which aims at presenting the potential returnees with information regarding the situation in the regions where they would like to return to, access to services, employment, security, etc.

2) Sustainable reintegration whereby the refugees are provided with training so they are capable of income generating activities, not only helping themselves but also contributing to the development of their country.

IRC’s long-term goal is to improve the Sudanese people’s ability to exercise their fundamental rights, access basic services, and manage their own livelihoods. Enabling individuals and communities to work towards an accountable governance, stability, and security through an active civil society is a priority. Among some of the capacity-building being carried out are modules in: peace building, human rights declarations, violation of human rights, GBV, the Women’s Convention, human political, cultural, social and economic rights.

I requested a map of the Sherkole region and across the border into Sudan from Getu, who is one of the two persons working on developing mapping tools. I want to learn about the geography human, physical and political or the area in question, also because I have been reading about these places and I would like to get an idea as to where they are.

Yarenja is closing at the end of the month and at this point I am uncertain as to whether I will make it there or not. My dad said that after the 20 March repatriation there will not be anything there.

This is all very exciting… well to me it is!

Coffee is special, they have coffee ceremonies, which are meant as a way of socialising, at least back in the day. Coffee is strong and blended with cinnamon and cloves (if you have the ground coffee then its not too complicated to make, I’ve asked) giving the coffee a subtle, perfumed taste. I think I will not drink it too often though, I am out of practice and it does give me a headache; besides why develop a vice? ;-)

I am actually getting a chance to see the camp this coming week. Leaving on Sunday coming back on Thursday so I will definitely have LOTS to say next Friday… stay tuned!

Shalom