Danadopt
07-03-2013
Ethiopia: Travelogue January 2013
In January 2013 I had the opportunity once again to visit Ethiopia. It is one of the countries which somehow creeps completely under the skin and into the heart of one, and I was therefore thrilled to have the opportunity to visit the country for the third time in my time at DanAdopt.
This trip was a little special to my two previous trips because this trip was an unpaid study, and where I first days had my son at 17 years of travel. He eventually have listened to a lot of my Ethiopia Talk, so now it was time that he got the opportunity to visit and explore one of the most beautiful countries in East Africa's horn ...
Apart from being a tourist guide for the first few days, I had after my son had gone back to DK, subsequent follow our Ethiopian colleagues' work, exchange experience and not least visit our partners at orphanages Tikuret and Abenezer.
In addition, I had at the end of my stay welcome DanAdopt three children medical consultants and with them visiting laboratories and hospitals. in Addis.
Addis Ababa (also Addis Ababa) is the capital of Ethiopia. The name means new flower. The city is located in the 2200 to 2600 meters above sea level (lowest in the south) at the foot of Entoto Mountain and had in 1994 about 2 million inhabitants. Today, it has about 6 million people.
The city has some of Africa's most important museums and cathedrals and is simultaneously a friendly and relatively secure capital to move in. Several African and international organizations such as the UN Economic Commission for Africa (United Nations Economic Commission for Africa) and the Organisation for African unity (Organization of African Unity) have headquarters in Addis.
It is recommended to visit the Ethnographic Museum, which is housed in the former Emperor Haile Selassie's palace in the Addis Ababa university area and the National Museum, where you can meet Lucy skeleton of the species Australopithecus afarensis, and sommed his age at 3.2 million years until recently been regarded as among the oldest and best-preserved skeletons.
The two private orphanages we pt. associate, in addition to branches in different provinces, also a branch in Addis Ababa.
This means that you will be meeting your child at the orphanage in Addis, where the child after being released for international adoption is transferred to and will stay until that I go down and get your child transferred.
It will be different how many times you can visit her child in another trial and before the transfer of the child. However, we recommend that you "take the time" and teach their child a little to know the child's natural setting before the child transferred, if possible. It will also give you parents a unique insight into the child's daily life and routines at the orphanage, which I certainly could use during the first days with your child.
At the same time you have the opportunity to learn some of the children and adults who are before you, have been important in your child's life.
The two private orphanages Tikuret and Abenezer and our own transit orphanage Tenesh located in quiet neighborhoods in Addis Ababa. The buildings are reminiscent of "larger villas" and there are outdoor areas for all three orphanages.
Orphanage Tenesh is the smallest orphanage with room for approx. 15 children. Both Abenezer and Tikuret has room for approx. 40-60 children of all ages. Some of the children in these orphanages is not released for international adoption. They can stay at orphanages for long periods. Both of these orphanages have arranged a classroom where children can receive education. The older children may also be related to local schools.
After the second hearing, and after you have received your child transferred, you must be in Addis since the last administrative parts of the adoption process going on here. If you wish to visit other parts of the country, this must be done before the transfer of the child.
All three orphanages appear clean, well maintained and cozy. There was a good atmosphere and the kids seemed well-tended and happy
Awassa is about. 270 km south of Addis Ababa and the trip there takes five or six hours by car. The city has "grown up" around Lake Hawassa, which means "large" in Sidama.
After I had a few days in Addis Ababa, where I can recommend that example. take a guided sightseeing tour of the city to experience the diverse sights, the view from Entotobjerget, Ethiopian Cultural Evening, "the Italian territory" and not at least some of the wonderful coffee shops, I drove with my family south to the town of Hawassa / Awassa.
The city has among other things Hawasa University, "Fish Market", St. Gabriel Church and other smaller sites. It is a pleasant and orderly city, which in many areas is somewhat quieter and less vibrant than the capital.
It's easy to get around in Awassa and the city's wide streets and cobbled alleyways invites strolling. If you need a break, it's easy to take advantage of the "Bajaj", which is the same model as Asia's Tuk Tuk. Hailing it on the street and agree on a price with the driver, and off you go just addition of ...
Orphanage Tikuret has a branch in Awassa, which I unfortunately did not have the opportunity to visit this time. However, I have previously visited this orphanage, located in a quiet area in a larger villa-like building. There are children of all ages Tikuret in Awassa and particularly some older children and adolescents in Awassa.
Orphanages leader working to integrate the older children and young people in the local community by including arranging football tournaments etc.. in the area. The orphanage is therefore always a great pleasure in against "soccer balls, soccer shoes, Soccer Set, etc.).
Those of our families who adopt a child / children who have stayed at the orphanage Tikuret in Awassa before they moved to Tikuret in Addis Ababa, often want to visit the orphanage in this province.
We can work with our Ethiopian colleague Dinkai help arrange such a trip (transportation and accommodation). Because of travel time, we recommend that you at least set aside two days of the trip. Many of our families live on Lewi RESORT www.lewihotelandresort.com in Awassa. It is an international Resort, located at the edge of the lake and very close to the orphanage Tikuret. Close to the resort is a large park where you can hand feed the birds and monkeys and where the inhabitants relax or take a cool dip.
A trip to Awassa provides a good opportunity both to visit the orphanage Tikuret, but also to get a little outside Addis and experience a different side of Ethiopia.
During the ride to Awassa running, among other things through "Rastabyen" Shashamen by the former Emperor Haile Selassi donated to Rastafarierne in Jamaica. Here live reggae culture side by side with the Ethiopian daily life.
You can also make the stay at the beautiful lake Langano where the banks are several large "Lodges" and / or visit the very rich in birdlife National Lake Abiata-Shala, where you can see pelicans, flamingos and if you are lucky "the Ethiopian fox .
There are several active and bubbly salt water sources in the park, where you will meet children and adults who either bathe, wash clothes or otherwise exploit sources and the hot water. The lakes in this area are all saltwater lakes due to underground.
I recommend that this trip brings lots of pens, bouncing balls and other small things because it is a wonderful way to get good contact with "the park's children" and because it brings VERY great joy of the children.
Harar city located in northeastern Ethiopia approx. 500 km from Addis.The city and the province is best achieved either with daily flights from Addis to Dire Dawa and then one hour by car, or by car all the way. A road trip takes 10-12 hours depending on the traffic.
Harar is a city that is worth visiting for many reasons, but especially for our families because Orphanage Abenzer has a branch in this city, from which some "of our children" comes from. If you want to visit this province, it is recommended that you reserve at least two to three days.
The city is one of Islam's most important cities. For many years and until 1854 the city was closed to non-believing Muslims. The city is still predominantly Muslim, but in other parts of Ethiopia live different religions peacefully side by side.
In addition, the famous French poet Arthur Rimbaud spent his last years in this exciting city, and you can still see his well-preserved pink house that exotic rises over rooftops and almost brings to mind the Caribbean. Rumors say that Rimbaud sold both arms and slaves in his time in Ethiopia.
The old town of Harar is surrounded by a massive wall built in the 16thcentury. The wall has six very different approaches, all of which leads into the city center. Within the city walls waiting a few amazing experiences where it can feel as if you "enter" into another world.
During my visit to Harar I had the opportunity to visit the orphanage Abenezers Department of Harar, but also a newly opened branch in Dire Dawa.
Both orphanages, children of all ages, which is far from all children who are in need of an international family.
The department manager Akiliu told me engaged on some of the important, but also demanding tasks orphanages perform in the community.
Common to our partners is that in addition to running orphanages also is committed to work with local authorities to provide various forms of social and economic assistance to disadvantaged children and families.
In Harar, I was invited to the home along with Abenezers department.I visited two single mothers, who both had seven children and I visited a lonely and sick father of eight children. All three families received financial help and advice from Abenezer, and thus try to keep their families and send their children to school, so the children through education will be able to make a living.
This building, which under Haile Selassi was a former "mental hospital" now provides the setting for approx. 300 children and adults. Live up to 10-12 people in tiny rooms with no windows, electricity or water. The rooms are reminiscent of Danish cellar.
The department manager Akiliu told me also about the great job they are doing to reunite "lost" children with their families. He said that often pops orphaned children in Harar or Dire Dawa, which the local police bring to orphanages to ensure child protection and basic care.After some time, the child, usually with the help of the social worker, tell that it's come to town either with family or other companions, but has suddenly been away from or abandoned by his companions and do not know how he / she is looking back to his family again. Sometimes the child from areas hundreds of miles away.
Children's Home social worker seeks out the child's family before a possible. reunification to ensure that the family wants the child home and have the resources to receive the child. After traveling social worker with the child back to the family to help the reunification success.
There are several guest houses in Harar and I would recommend that you find a place within the old city walls. There are also several hotels in the city.
After my trip out to the two provinces, I returned to Addis Ababa, where I was meeting the three DanAdopt pediatrician consultants on the last part of my trip. Pediatricians had a tight and eventful program for the next four days.
DanAdopt pediatrician consultants travel occasionally on a study visit to the countries that we work with. Partly to gain an insight into the medical work in countries but also to meet and exchange experiences, etc.. together with their international colleagues.
During this visit to Ethiopia to paediatricians and visit two of the laboratories in Addis taking and analyzing blood samples of children.Visit two private hospitals in Addis, - Brass Hospital and Korean Hospital, as part examines "our" children, but also can treat the children if there is a need for this. As well as visiting the three orphanages in Addis Ababa.
Pediatricians generally had a very positive impression of their visit both hospitals, laboratories and the three orphanages.
Now I'm back again on DanAdopt office in Birkerød. Once again enriched by all the experiences I've had in Ethiopia and that is very important for my daily work ...
Social worker and case coordinator Rikke Stauning Klestrup