Letters, newspapers and parcels...

Wednesday 7th

Today started out uneventfully – the priest chants waking me at 5:00 am reminded me that I had to be up early this morning as I was going to be running a training workshop. The day was still dark, dull and cool but the area around the house is now taking on a green hue – not fully green but with definite signs that the rains have promoted growth. Certainly in the garden which is now very green around the edges though still not showing much for the planting that I carried out over the past few months.

No tummy problem and no apparent headache. A very promising start to the day. Arriving at college, I wasn’t overly surprised to note that I was alone and that neither of my counterparts were around. 40 minutes to go before we leave so not to worry!

Mulugeta had completed some of the pictures that I needed for today so I settled down to completing the rest.

Meleshew finally arrived and started organising transport and loading up materials and we set off.

A great training session. Delivered with far more confidence that previously and helped enormously by having Meleshew there who was able to translate when necessary. Everyone seemed to enjoy the session and I wound it up with the alphabet test. All the English teachers I meet say that children hate learning English, they can’t read it, find it very difficult and it is a major cause of children dropping out after Grade 4. I take them through the alphabet and they duly tell me the letters. They become very confused when I ask them to give me the sound of the letter!

On the way home, I got the driver to stop by the post office – a PO box full! A package of The Saturday Guardian from Charles – with all the sections - brilliant. Two postcards from Barbra one showing a London Bus to the amusement of my fellow passengers. And a note to say there was a parcel to collect. Unfortunately, the PO was closed so I had to leave that one behind. At least I can anticipate the pleasure.

Meleshew stopped by for lunch. I’ve invited her several times but she never comes. Today she came and I had nothing to offer. Managed to quickly make a pasta dish and then attempted to perform the coffee ceremony. Meleshew was impressed and seemed genuinely relaxed sitting on the veranda quietly munching popcorn.

Back at the office, we discussed progress and future plans – very productive.

Home to another power cut. Early evening reading giving way to the touch typing diary activity.