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Published: February 11th 2008
Well it sounds like I picked a good time not to be in MN right now from everyone's comments about how cold it is back there. For the most part it starts out a little cool in the mornings here and then by the afternoon it is sunny and in the mid to high 60s.
I was over at the hospital this afternoon and I got a chance to just hang out with some of the women (girls really when you figure that some of them are as young as 13 or 14!). In Ethiopia there are close to 80 languages spoken so as you can figure there was quite a bit of a language barrier for us. However one thing is universal for them and that is pictures. I brought out the Christmas card that I sent this past year and showed them my children and of course Tobey. One of them pointed to Tobey so I started making barking noises and they all cracked up and thought it was so funny!! It was nice to see their smiles.
All of the staff at the hospital were fistula patients. A woman that works in the laundry had her little
girl with her since she's only 4 1/2 and she came and sat on my lap and I loved it. So even though we couldn't really comunicate we just enjoyed each other's company. Some of the women are working on needlework that they can then sell through the giftshop and they get to keep all of the money when they go home. One woman learned how to write her name for the first time while at the hospital (they attend English classes as well as writing while they are at the hospital). She was so excited about being able to write her name that she also autographed some of her needlework. I asked the teacher about her and so I got to meet her and take a picture with her. Her needlework was very good and after I had my picture taken with her I showed it to her on my digital camera. I'm sure its the first time she's ever seen her photo before.
I also got to stop by and see the pharmacist. She was very excited about receiving the tylenol and castor oil that I brought along with me. She asked Betel (who is the pr person
I have been emailing with prior to my trip) where did you get this?!" because all of the pharmacies are out of castor in all of Addis. So I also took a picture of her as well in the pharmacy.
The grounds of the hospital are very beautiful. Dr. Catherine Hamlin started her private garden a long time ago and the entire grounds are beautifully kept. Its really an oasis for these women while they are staying at the hospital.
Ciao for now!
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Stefanie
non-member comment
Love the updates...
So happy you are able to update your blog! Love reading your entries and a great way for you to journal your trip. Reading about the girls and how little they all have (at least as far as basic needs go) makes me appreciate life here so much more! We are all very lucky in comparison for all that we have access to. Yes, it's freezing here (even by my standards). It's up to -7 right now...balmy compared to this weekend! The other posts are correct...Francy is borderline mullet and he seems to like it (scary). Be safe over there!!!!!