I'm (Unofficially) Back to Blogging!

Not that anybody would care . . . after i "abandoned" my blog for ages. Wow, how time flies! It's actually been six months now since I've visited my own site. When I set foot in Ethiopia last February 1 (yes, for those who didn't know, I made it here), first thing I wanted to do was update you guys about my escapades, of course. You know, the usual how I survived the infamous Immigration officials, how I managed to sneak 13 kilograms more into my luggage, how I resisted the urge to snap photos of the magnificient airport in Dubai (lest I will end up in Philippine television before spending a night in jail), etc., etc. Well, what do you know? Blogspot (along with Skype and others) was/is actually banned here! For what reason, only goodness knows. Tried several times to access it to no avail. But six months after, what do you know, I'm blogging again!

Hope my excitement is not shortlived, though, because, my friend, communication technology in this country is just "state of the art". I actually have no words for it, honestly. I don't know what's the trend now back home, but here broadband and wireless Internet have just been introduced. Forget about cellphone wallet, Internet banking, and stuff like that---they don't exist here. Checking and writing e-mails could be a pain that I've almost given up on it. While Internet cafes are sprouting like mushrooms and while home-based Internet subscriptions are skyrocketing back home, Internet places here are as scarce as dressed chicken. And they charge outrageous rates: 25 Ethiopian birr an hour (106 Philippine pesos). Violent reactions, anyone?

Speaking of outrageous, let's talk about the mobile phone network. Now, since the Internet and mobile network is monopolized by a government-owned company, what do you expect? The network could just misbehave and you'll just have to bear it because there's simply no way you can control it. It reminds me of how "spoiled" we are at home. When an Internet connection slows or a message is not sent, we dial customer service hotlines in a flash, scream at the poor call center guys, and then get refunded for whatever inconvenience they have caused us. Forget it here.

Calling home is always a lottery. Either you get through or you don't. Texting home? Are you kidding me? Since I've been here, I only received two calls from my family (though they've been trying my phone endlessly) and one text message (during my birthday; God is good). Now please don't ask me why I don't call or you will have a tongue lashing, my dearest.

Now the power situation. When I first came here, there was a scheduled power cut one day a week, then it became two days, then it became three...now we have power every other day. Believe me, you cannot underestimate the power of a candle and a good book during no-power nights. The upside is I've caught up on my reading. The downside I'll leave to your imagination.

Never-ending Goodbyes

"You will always be missed, for you will never fathom the depths of how you touched and blessed our lives---as a seat mate, as a fellow copy editor, as a reviewer, as supervisor, as a confidant, as a friend. But then you have to go where the only the braves dare. And for this, we cannot afford to cry but be happy for you and bless you with our prayers of good health, safety, and fulfillment in this new adventure that becomes a very meaningful phase in your life."

Those were a few lines of a blog post written by a friend that has left me speechless and misty eyed.

You never really realize how much love and true friendships you're blessed with until you say good-bye to people who have in one way or another, in small ways and big, touched your life.

My cellphone has never stopped ringing in the past few days. Friends are always calling and texting, sending their prayers and well wishes. Inspiring messages from strangers even found their way into my inbox. Long-time friends threw fabulous parties to send me off.

I want to post some pics of the parties, but I am just too tired and sleepy now from all the preparations I've been doing. Guess I will do that in Addis when I arrive on Sunday.

Mmmmmm . . . mmm . . . I am barely writing something here. I think I need to get some zzzzzzzzs. Until then . . .

Talk About Privacy

I've received a handful of e-mails asking me if I had already flown to Ethiopia since I have not updated my blog.

Nope. I'm still in the Philippines. I'm in my hometown in Negros Oriental, spending some time with my family. Unfortunately, I don't have an Internet connection at home, and I had to brave the noise and prying eyes of the people in a small Internet cafe. The word "privacy", I presume, is alien to some of these people. As I am typing this now, I am giving an "if looks could kill" stare to a guy who seems to enjoy my blog layout and my two-finger typing.

Anyway, I will be back tomorrow. I can't concentrate with all these eyes around me.

No Pain, No Gain

I officially hate injections!

Had my pneumonia shot and DPT (diptheria, pertussis, and tetanus) cocktail yesterday, and my arms are hurting like crazy. The injection sites on both arms feel like rocks embedded in my skin, and the pain is radiating to my lower arms, my back, and my neck. Range of motion is limited. I had to ask help to change my clothes or unhook my bra, and tying my hair into a ponytail seems to be a very complicated process now. I can't even hold a glass, for cyring out loud! Pain relievers seem to be of no help. I feel like an invalid. My arms are totally useless. I can't even bear the thought of having to have my second rabies dose today and my yellow fever vaccine on Friday (the day before my departure).

Anyway, I can tolerate the pain, I guess. But then again, I am strong (at least I am trying to be).

Learning Amharic: "YiQirta, algebanigm."

One of the pains, or shall I say challenges, of going to another country is the language barrier. When I went to China for a short visit, I had twisted my tongue and racked my brains just to at least communicate with the locals at the very basic level. But after a few embarassing attempts, I was resigned to using sign language and exagerrated facial expressions. Most of the Chinese did not understand my English, and I did not understand their Chinese---so I left it at that.

But it'll be a totally different scenario in Ethiopia. I will be working there, interacting with my colleagues, other volunteers, and the locals on a daily basis. I have to learn the language as I can't risk being lost in translation---not in a strange place with an unfamiliar culture.

Because it has not been colonized, Ethiopia remains as a multi-ethnic state with 83 languages and 200 dialects. The main three languages are Amharic, Afaan Oromo, and Tigrinya. The people in Gondar, the city where I will be posted, speak Amharic, so in the name of being a well-prepared volunteer, I have started taking my Amharic lessons through . . . tadah! . . . Youtube.

I found these really helpful Amharic lessons in Youtube designed by the Lion of Judah Society. I am sharing here some of Amharic words and phrases I'm trying to memorize. Hopefully, I will have mastered some of these before I set foot in Amharic land. So here we go . . .

Selamta! - Greetings!
Selam - Peace
Ameseginalehugn - Thank you.
I'shee - All Right/Okay
Awo - Yes
YiQirta - Excuse me/I'm sorry.
Algebagnigm - I do not understand.
I'bakish - Please
Indemin allu? - How do you do?
Betam Dehna Negn - Very well.
Indemin adderu - Good morning.
Indemin walu - Good afternoon.
Indemin ameshu - Good evening.
Sint new wagaw? - How much does this cost?
Yihe mindin new? - What is this?

qurs - breakfast
missa - lunch
irat - dinner
dabo - bread
meTet - beverage
bunna - coffee
shay - tea
chimaQee - juice
wiha - water
asama - pork
asa - fish
doro - chicken

polees tabeya - police station
hakeem baet - hospital
yemedhahaneet baet - pharmacy
suQ - store, shop
migib baet - restaurant
timhirt baet - school
baete kristeeyan - church
bagno baet - restroom

This is it for now. I am halfway through the first set. I don't know if I'll ever memorize everything before the thirty-first. But this, I gotta memorize by heart: "YiQirta, algebanigm."

My Placement

Next month, I will be starting a new chapter in my life in Gondar, Ethiopia.

To some, Ethiopia is a cursed land because of the cyclical drought and famine that's been hitting the land, while HIV and AIDS continue to ravage the Northeast African country, making it the third country with the largest number of people living with HIV and AIDS, next to India and South Africa.

To others, it is a gold mine of culture and history. It is in Ethiopia that the four-million-year-old hominid skull was discovered, and it is likewise believed that the sacred city of Axum houses the ark of covenant, which is being closely guarded by the "Keepers of the Lost Ark."

To a development worker like me, it is a land full of promise and hope. Hunger, HIV and AIDS, and border disputes aside, Ethiopia is a beautiful land, home to 77 million beautiful and gentle people. It is brimming with talent and skill, only lacking in opportunities. So this is where VSO comes in---to build capacities, erase stigma, provide opportunities. Because after all, every one on this Earth deserves to have a better life.

Trivia:

• Ethiopia is a landlocked country in the Horn of Africa, bordered by Sudan, Eritrea, Somalia, Djibouti, and Kenya.


• It is one of the oldest countries in the world and has yielded some of the oldest traces of civilization.


• It is the only country in Africa that was not colonized.


• It is the origin of the coffee bean, and coffee ceremonies are very important in every household.


• It is home to the African Union.


• It was hit by a devastating famine in 1984, which drew international attention.


• It is a country of religious tolerance. Orthodox Christians and Muslims live harmoniously together.


• The Highlands have a very pleasant and cool climate, while the Danakil is the hottest place on Earth.


• Greetings are very important in Ethiopian culture. Shaking hands and kissing on the cheeks are the normal forms of greeting.


• The staple food is injera, a large circular pancake made from a small grain called teff, which is only found in the country. Pork is rarely found on menus.


• There is an ongoing border dispute with Eritrea and threat of war.

The Volunteers (My WRV Batch)

Back Row, left to right:
Purey, Educator (Guyana, South America)
Eric, IT Professional (Guyana, South America)
Cocoy, Organic Farming Specialist (The Gambia, Africa)
Carla, Trainer and Capacity Builder (Zambia, Africa)
Ryan, Physical Therapist (Papua New Guinea)

Middle Row :
Me, Physical Therapist (Ethiopia, Africa)
Nena, Pharmacist (Namibia, Africa)
Ciony, Organizational Development Adviser (Bangladesh, Asia)
Laura, Psychologist (Nepal, Asia)
Jinky, Environmentalist (Guyana, South America)

Front Row :
Roy, Educator (Cambodia, Asia)
Noel, Project Development Adviser (India, Asia)
Luisa, Reproductive Health Specialist (Cambodia, Asia)

Not in the Photo :
Elvie, Medical Technologist (Malawi, Africa)
Max, Business Development Adviser (The Gambia, Africa)

What is VSO?

Everybody's been asking me what VSO is, and so here it is.

VSO stands for Voluntary Service Overseas. It is a UK-based international development charity, which has been sending skilled volunteers to developing countries in Africa, Asia, the Carribean, Eastern Europe, and South America. Volunteers are placed to countries where their skills are most needed.

Anyway, here's what Wikipedia has to say about VSO:

Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) is an international development charity that works through experienced volunteers living and working as equals alongside local partners. It is the largest independent (non-governmental) volunteer-sending organization in the world. VSO has offices in the UK, Ireland, Canada, the Netherlands, Kenya and the Philippines and a recruiting partner in India; as of December 2004, it has volunteers of 14 different nationalities on placement. Since its founding in 1958 through 2004, VSO placed over 30,000 volunteers in developing countries in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, the Caribbean and Eastern Europe.

It currently develops programmes in six "goal areas":
HIV & AIDS
Education
Health and Social Well-being
Disability
Participation and Governance
Secure livelihoods

VSO has established a recruitment base here in the Philippines known as VSO Bahaginan. For those interested in international volunteering, you may visit http://www.vsobahaginan.org.ph/.

Panic

It's 8:15 a.m. (Philippine time) and I just got out of bed, still feeling a little bit dizzy from the turbulent flight from Manila last night. I can barely move both my arms as they still feel numb from the four vaccine shots I had in the last two days. Today, I am scheduled for two more, but I don't think I can take them. I will have to pass and see if I can have them on Friday. I need to have all the protection I need before I fly to Ethiopia on the thirty-first.

Panic!

For those of you who don't know yet, I have been accepted for a two-year placement to do development work in Africa through Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO). I have been lucky enough to be offered a nice placement in Ethiopia, the seat of one of the oldest living civilizations, but at the same time considered as one of the poorest nations in the world. (But we'll talk about Ethiopia later.)

I will be working as a physical therapist in Gondar University Hospital, providing PT services to the local patients and at the same time training my colleagues and establishing a registration and referral system in the PT department. Sounds easy and clear-cut, right? Unfortunately, development work is not as simple as it sounds. As I learned from the five-day WRV (Wider Role of Volunteers) training held last week (January 14-18) , every volunteer needs to get out of his or her shell and think out of the box to be effective. In my case, this means having to mainstream HIV and AIDS awareness and gender sensitivity in my workplace, build individual capacities through team building activities and trainings, promote transfer of skills through workshops and networking, and maybe even raise funds to support the projects I will propose. Well, there could be lots more, and I don't think the five-day course was enough to brace me for development work---a concept which is not unfamiliar (as I live in a developing country) but at the same time is still somewhat new to me.

Panic!

In less than ten days, I will be in a strange country, alone. How scary is that? I just learned that I will be the only Filipino VSO volunteer in my placement and that there are not many Filipinos in Gondar.

Panic!

I am yet to wash and pack the clothes I am going to bring to Africa. Ethiopians, I learned from Google, are smart but conservative dressers. So I will have to shop for slacks, formal blouses, skirts that fall below the knee, and corporate dresses---no shorts, sleeveless blouses, see-through material, tight jeans, etc. Meaning, I will basically leave three-fourths of my entire wardrobe behind.

Panic!

I was robbed last New Year's eve and lost everything valuable including my indentification cards and professional license. I have yet to have them replaced, and I'm running out of time.

Panic! Panic! Panic!

I am going to Ethiopia on the thirty-first.