Ledetta school

9 October 2008

Another day when I was supposed to be visiting the two schools I hadn’t seen on Tuesday. Meleshew arrived and set about trying to find a vehicle to complete the school visit schedule. She eventually pronounced it impossible since there was no fuel and a queue a kilometre long at the filling station.

Resigned to the situation, I continued with updating the records when suddenly, Meleshew came rushing in ‘We’re going now, hurry, hurry’. The truck was loaded with blackboards awaiting delivery to the schools. We sailed past the non-existent fuel queue and when we arrived in Azezzo, the vehicle stopped to let M and I out.

After things were sorted, we had just an hour to visit the schools. Recognising that two would be impossible, I asserted that I wanted to go to Ledetta despite everyone knowing it would be easier to go to Teklahaymanot.

To humour me, it was decided to go to Ledetta. We drove off in the direction of the airport, eventually turning off into a field – it seemed to me quite randomly. After attempting to cross a large stream, the driver stopped. Geshaw and Meleshew and I embarked on the walking bit.

Chatting amiably we were initially unaware of the shouts coming from the driver and others trying to re-direct us. We crossed a corn field that brought us to an identifiable track at the end of which was a fairly fast flowing river. Shoes off, we precariously moved from boulder to boulder to stone, to knee deep in the water…. And reached the other side. (good photo opportunity).


Where shall we cross?


Not sure this is the right spot

Sadly, our approach to the school did not bring the usual entourage of children to accompany us. No-one was there.


Lidetta School

A little girl informed us that she had been to school that morning though it is very hard to see what teaching could have gone on, no board, no furniture or sitting stones. At the guard house, we met two young women who showed us the boards for the school. We left two more. We will return!


Lidetta school