June 16th, 2010

I can’t believe that I have already been back in Ethiopia for two weeks. The time is flying. The first week I spent most of my time sleeping. It is nine hours later here than it is in Colorado Springs. This usually means that I spend the first week being wide awake at night and sound asleep during the day. It usually takes a little time for me to adjust to the traffic, and the pollution, and the change in food, and…….

But after two weeks everything seems not only normal but sweet to be back. I’ve been spending my days in the office and my nights either reading or meeting with my friends.

Things are going well at the Trampled Rose. We currently have 30 women in our program. The main things they are learning are sewing, beauty school, and jewelry making.

We are almost ready to start the chicken farm part of our curriculum for this year’s students. I think many of you remember the trouble I had with the first farm. It looked so cute to have all twelve of our little chickens in their new house ready to do whatever chickens do. The only problem was that I didn’t know the house should not have been made of corrugated iron. I arrived a few days later to check up on them and they were all very “fluffy” The next day all were dead but one. I felt so terrible both for the chickens and also for the group in France that had donated the money to start this project (thank you Gwadenia). I thought that at least we had one alive so I could keep the original project going and tell Gwadenia that we had some problems but we had made it. Just then my sweet little dog Ishi came running out with the last chicken in her mouth. Ouch!!!! The good news is that we did successfully have a chicken farm with our graduating class last year and the even better news is that I am not in charge of this!

We are also working to develop training in house cleaning. This is a great opportunity here because often the women who help with the house are allowed to live and eat with the family. And the demand here, as in every country, is high. I’ll let you know more about this program soon.

The weather has been rain and more rain. Yesterday while I was traveling home Addis looked more like a river than a city. When I think of all of you enjoying summer and the beach and BBQs I feel even colder, but….. when you have your first snow storm I’ll be nice and warm.

Please stay in touch. I love hearing from you!!!