September 22nd 2008  Africa » Ethiopia » Somali Region » Jijiga
In the beginning of August, we decided to get a cat to help us get rid of the rats. We had not seen any rats in our kitchen but we had seen the droppings --in our silverware drawer and various cupboar ... [full story]

September 10th 2008  Africa » Ethiopia » Somali Region » Jijiga
Have you ever sat down on a couch and sunk into a hole and been unable to get out? That is my mattress. I even have two mattresses, unlike everyone else, because when we moved in Bojana didn’t w ... [full story]

September 10th 2008  Africa » Ethiopia » Somali Region » Jijiga
Between sicknesses, I have begun a walking routine with my colleague from New Zealand, Erin. We usually go at 6am during the week, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. In an attempt to try to maintain some ... [full story]

September 5th 2008  Africa » Ethiopia » Somali Region » Jijiga
I will update soon...as the computer refuses to open my MS Word document. ... [full story]

August 16th 2008  Africa » Ethiopia » Somali Region » Jijiga
When I interviewed with the International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC) for the resettlement roster, I explained my work with refugee families in crisis. How I worked with kids to try to dete ... [full story]

August 16th 2008  Africa » Ethiopia » Somali Region » Jijiga
Our first week at work in UNHCR Jijiga, the logistics of the registration center where we are working in Kebribeyah were not prepared yet, so we were taken to La Faisse for training in screening cas ... [full story]

August 13th 2008  Africa » Ethiopia » Somali Region » Jijiga
The best part of this assignment is the parties! Since this is a hardship site, the Head of Office has embraced the concept of taking care of ourselves through creating a social life at the UNHCR co ... [full story]

August 7th 2008  Africa » Ethiopia » Somali Region » Jijiga
What is a typical day at work like for me? Maybe some of you are wondering what I do and why I’m here in Ethiopia? Besides having some strange fascination and some emotional pull….unable ... [full story]

August 7th 2008  Africa » Ethiopia » Somali Region » Jijiga
When I quit my job, I told my staff I was going on the African diet. I knew I’d lose weight because of the lack of processed sugar and carbohydrates in the food here. I also had some idea that ... [full story]

August 7th 2008  Africa » Ethiopia » Somali Region » Jijiga
The worst thing about Ethiopia and working in Kebribeyah are the fleas…they are everywhere and we brought them home so last night they kept me up half the night. Ugh! The other annoying issue ... [full story]