Sponsored School Children

March 29th Saturday

Tried to catch a line taxi to Gonder to check my mail but it’s impossible on Saturday morning. My neighbours Adena and Belet joined me and we began to walk. We hadn’t got far when a friend of Belet came along and gave us a lift.

Walked back (it’s down hill!) picking up supplies from the market stalls, bakery and supermarket. Today I was joined by 13 year old Mulata who took my bag and chatted away – great English! He goes to Walya school, is being sponsored by one of the many gap year students that came over (Alex) who lives in Oxford! Mulata lives alone with his elderly mother who is elderly.

The issue of sponsorship is interesting. I haven’t met any girls that are being sponsored. I’m also not sure about the idea of sponsoring a child/boy to go to a fee paying school. This seems to be an individual issue and since most of the gap year students seem to be male it could skew equal opportunities. Why not sponsor through the state schools so that more children benefit? Individuals could still be helped to find costs and living expenses if necessary. Need to take this up with EthiopiaLink and see what they think.