Report: Leadership Ethiopia Assessment Trip, August 2007
I arrived in Addis Ababa, Saturday, August 25.
Saturday: I was whisked off to a leadership banquet for government leaders my first night.
Sunday: We traveled several hours to Walisoo, a nearby town.
• On the way, I saw my first car/donkey accident. I wonder if they do chalk outlines for donkeys?
• Homes were mud & stick walls with either thatch or tin roofs.
• I can’t describe the poverty I saw—one room shacks with dirt floors, roofs with holes, no bathroom or outhouses (no facilities whatsoever), and it seemed like thousands were living in this area. In one home lived a widowed grandmother who lost her three adult children to AIDS. Water was lying in puddles on the floor, where she slept. The devastation of AIDS to this continent is unimaginable.
• The children were beautiful
Monday-Wednesday:
• Monday morning: I had the opportunity to talk with new friends about equipping government leaders.
• Monday afternoon—Wednesday: I focused on Leadership Ethiopia. Where do you start in a country you have never been before? Imagine flying to Washington D.C. with the purpose of bringing lasting change to America through equipping government leaders (sounds like a good idea). Where would you begin? More to come . . .
Thursday: Traveled to Nairobi, Kenya
Friday: We traveled to Masai Mara National Wildlife Reserve in the Rift Valley. “Amazing!” is all I can say.
Saturday: After seeing Masai Mara once more, we returned to Nairobi. In our guesthouse, I ran into an attorney from Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) who volunteered his services in helping GHN become recognized in Ethiopia and connecting with leaders. The vision of Leadership Ethiopia is taking baby-steps toward becoming a reality.
