Walaita Sodo

After a longer than expected trip, we arrived at the hotel in Walaita Sodo just before halftime of the Brazil v Germany game. And, to my great surprise, found that Brazil had dug a significant hole for themselves being down 5-0. I can say however, I was able to get a few laughs out as the cameramen panned the stands to sobbing men, women and children. Argentina will have some work cut out come Sunday, but I’m happy that I will be able to enjoy the game with my best friend back in the states.

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Because of our delay in travel, I was only able to spend one full day with the kids, but a full day it was. Our first objective was to stop at a handful of houses where the poverty and need for support is at a very high level. Many of the houses are made up of widowed mothers with two or three children. The kids were forced to drop out of school to find work and they are all under the age of ten. Medical care is too much and some even travel to the local hospitals to take the left over scraps of food to bring back home. One house in particular was a mother, who two years ago, her husband passed away from diabetes; but, while he was still alive, she would carry him from their home to the hospital to receive any sort of care he could get. Over a long period of carrying him back and forth, her bones and nerves started to deteriorate and she is now suffering from deformed limbs and paralysis. It was devastating to see the fear in her eyes for how she was going to support her children in the condition she was in. The rent for her home is 40 birr per month which is the equivalent of about two dollars and in her situation was still too difficult to handle. I am glad to have been there to know she will soon be receiving help.   

Kids at the Compound

As we finished up with the homes, we traveled to the compound where the group homes are located. I was introduced to the staff of the sister organization of my parents called B Loved. Each group home has a house mother and house aunt that watches over the children, cooks and helps them to develop as individuals. After introductions we were treated to an Ethiopian lunch and for those that know me, I will eat just about anything. With a full stomach and a smile on my face, I went outside to spend time with the kids. I brought out a soccer ball and we played and laughed and I was climbed all over by dozens of kids for the better part of five hours. I showed off a little as well by spinning the ball on my finger and got quite a few oohs and aahs. Throughout the day I met and hung out with upwards of fifty children and they each, to their own degree, accepted me as family. Another highlight with the children was putting my GoPro camera on a few of the kid’s heads and watching them run around taking videos. The day ended with hugs and plenty of smiles all around.

On the way back to Addis we were stopped by a crazy man wielding a very large stick and had to pay him off so he wouldn’t hit us or the car. The events of this trip continue to get better. After we survived the zombie attack, we stopped so I could take some pictures of the more traditional houses used in the bush area. They are intricately designed and decorated and each building serves a different purpose. The family that allowed me to take the pictures was extremely nice and their kids were happy to join in on a few of the pictures.

 

After my three dollar shape up, I had plenty of goodbyes to say to the local boys and the family I stayed with while I was there. It was hard to leave because of how well I was accepted and the joy this trip brought me; but I can say that part one of my adventure has come to and end. That being said, I know for sure that at some point, Africa is somewhere I visit again.

Princess of Ethiopia