Trainings Galore
I apologise for not having updated my blog properly in a
while. I’ve been intending too, but the last few months have been jam-packed
with trainings, holidays, work, power outages, and vacations. But enough
excuses... it's time to bite the bullet and make the update. It’s incredibly
long, so I’ll make it in two parts.
QGIS
My first training was back in September directly following
the Ethiopian New Year. The holiday was on Sep 12th, a Saturday. On Sunday I
traveled to Bahir Dar (not an easy feat when everyone is returning from
visiting family on the holiday). The training was locally conducted for each of
the regions that Peace Corps works within Ethiopia (Tigray, Amhara, Oromia, and
SNNPR). My region of Amhara had about 12 participants, most of whom were from
my orientation training group, with a few who had been here longer.
The week-long training in Bahir Dar was on a computer-mapping
program called QGIS (Quantum Geographic Information System). This is a free
downloadable software version of the better known and far more expensive
version ArcGIS. Back in college I took a semester long training in ArcGIS, so I
have something to compare this training and software to.
First off, QGIS is free ... bonus! As that may be, certain
features were not as streamlined as ArcGI, such as the printable map function
(which was difficult to adjust). It also didn’t have as wide a selection of
symbols. However, I found the system more than sufficient for most mapping
needs. ArcGIS however has a wide variety of training manuals designed
specifically for their program, QGIS does not. Our trainer had actually spent
the better part of a year creating a manual for this program, along with many
sample map creation exercises for this training. She is still going through
final adjustments and edits, but when she is done she intends to make the
manual a free online source. Personally, I felt the training was very good, and
clearer than my original training in college on ArcGIS. However, that could be
due to it being my second time around.
:)
Each training participant had to do a final project creating
a reference map for their town and a project map. My map was a color-coded
slope map to help inform areas at high risk of erosion. I also used the two
maps and a Google Earth Pro-derived image map of my town in my CNA (Community
Needs Assessment)
CNA (Community Needs Assessment)
After getting back from my QGIS training, I had one month to
complete a Community Needs Assessment. This was a technical document reporting
statistics and interview information on my town. The purpose of the document
was to assess the strengths and weaknesses of my town to better inform possible
projects for the volunteer to later conduct. The first few months in town is
supposed to be dedicated to learning about infrastructure, programs, and the
people. I had conducted interviews with each of the main institutions in town
getting an understanding of history and where the people of Debre Zebit wanted
to go. Simultaneously, I learned about a variety of helpful programs I did not
know existed, as well as issues I did not know people were facing. (The CNA was
previously posted, if anyone is inclined to read it on my blog). It was due at
the start of my PDM workshop. On top of that, I also had the Quarterly
Reporting due, which is all the statistics on trainings and development work I
had conducted each quarter.
PDM (Project Design Management)
The PDM workshop was in October, one month after my QGIS
training. This training was originally supposed to take place 3 months after I
originally got to site. However, due to the turmoil of elections it was
postponed to October.
The PDM workshop was designed to help facilitate a mutual
understanding of program expectations between PCV (Peace Corps Volunteer) and
local CP (Counterpart). My CP is a man named Endawke Yohanes who works in the
FTC (Farmers Training Center) as the plant science expert. In fact, he is
considered among the best workers in the Amhara region as I recently found out.
Our Debre Zebit FTC got an award this year for having the most successful
projects and my CP Endawke got a reward as being among the best trainers. Most
of the time he is very busy with his own work and has little time to plan new
projects with me. As a result this PDM workshop was very fruitful in
facilitating conversation about starting new programs that I can participate
in.
It was decided between me and my Counterpart that a garden
project in the school would be easiest to accomplish as a start program, and
might foster interest in the community via the children to the parents. Upon
returning to the town we set up meetings with the school director and it was
agreed that the space behind the school could be used for school gardens as
long as we waited for the wheat field to be harvested in December... It didn’t
really turn out that way, but more on that later.
English Cinema Club
In the weeks following the PDM, I had several meetings with
the school over the school Permagarden project. I also had to find a female counterpart
for the GRS program before I left on vacation. On top of that I finally started
my English Cinema program… which is a fancy name for watching movies with kids.
The idea behind the program was to find an interactive way
for children to practice English comprehension skills. Though English films are
popular here, they are all dubbed over with Amharic making exposure to English
low. The original idea was that children would come and I would give an oral
introduction to the film (mostly Disney): when was it made, was it based on a
book, what are the cultural origins, etc… then they would watch the movie
taking note of words of English they recognize in order to make sure they are
actively trying to comprehend the language. After they would write a paragraph
summary of what the film was about, thus working on writing skills, and I would
ask them to share what they wrote, working on verbal skills.
Right off the bat I hit snags (of course). The first week we
had a power outage, resulting in a very boring class on name introductions. The
following week I found my computer speakers weren’t loud enough, forcing me to
borrow from my host brother Binium (I bought my own a few weeks later). The
children showed up an hour late resulting in either missing the film or me
starting the film late. When I have to start late I end up not getting around
to the after film portion. As a result they only really do the word list. The
first week they just wrote down any random word they thought of, having no
relation to the film whatsoever. Also students would come in to watch the film,
and then I would find out later that they were supposed to be in class and all
but two would up and leave… I’m working out the kinks, but I want to keep at
it. I think it has potential.
I also started getting Amharic tutoring lessons from the
school English teacher Brehano Chekola. It only lasted a month though, now I’m
back to no tutor. He’s become a good friend and supporter, but working out a
schedule to suit both our needs is a challenge. He asked me to help teach an
English class once, handed me a book and left me in front of the children for
half an hour. Teachers have done that to me a number of times. The Biology
teacher asked if I would want to teach some time. I said, “Sure, if you tell me
what on, and give me a translator.” He said,“ok” and then dragged me in front
of his class right then! I ended up teaching on crop rotation and soil
nutrition.
For a while I was just hanging out at the school and the 2nd
graders started just circling around me and staring, so I ended up looking at
their level 1 and 2 English books and helping them out. Mostly we were going
over colors, I ended up with a small following but then I got busy with other
projects.
Safety Net
The week before I left for Germany my counterpart told me
last minute that he is going to the Woreda (district) office for a week-long
training. It put a kink in my plans, but I figured that I could spend a week
packing and cleaning before I left to Germany. On Tuesday I got a call from my neighbor
PCV who asked why I wasn’t at the training. So he convinced me to drop what I
was doing and go to a training for the rest of the week.
Travel was an utter nightmare! My town being close enough to
the training site to travel meant we took a Bajaj each morning and
afternoon, but the drivers caught on that there was a training and doubled the
prices, which we had no choice to pay because we could not walk and get there
on time. Getting back home at night was worse because we were let out late and
all the drivers were done with work for the day and we ended up paying double
for a Bajaj that should only fit 4 people and ended up stuffing 9 into
it! Needless to say I thought this dangerous, so I got permission to have
work-leave and spend the remaining nights in a hotel.
The training was on the federal Safety Net Program (SNP).
This program was developed by the government to provide a reliable income for
the most at risk families in exchange for public services. The program must be
applied to and preference is given to women- led households and landless
children. Each participant works 5 days a month on government programs like
hillside terracing, watershed management, building fences, and more. The rest
of the time they can use to find other work. At the end of the month, they are
paid with either a small sum of cash or food.
Despite all the trainings being in Amharic they did on
occasion have English slide shows which I ascertained valuable insight into the
program which I previously didn’t understand. For example, the participants can
skip work days if they are attending certain development classes, like business
planning. These at-risk families tend not to be able to get loans from banks,
unless a group is going in together. These classes, if completed, help them
draw up a business model and will give them a loan recommendation to the bank.
Though the program as a whole has kinks and doesn’t always work the way it does
on paper, I have respect for all the Ethiopian government is trying to do.
On Thursday night all the FTC workers from all the district
towns got together and had a bonfire. An ox was killed and raw meat was passed
around while waiting for the cooked sauces, a live band played with
professional dancers dancing the cultural dances. Some of the people were having
trouble starting the bonfire and threw some liter fluid on it, but it threw the
flames and landed on the person standing on the other side who then started
running around on fire! No "stop, drop, and roll". Luckily, it went
out and he was only mildly singed. The rest of the night was dedicated to
eating and dancing. The Ethiopians took particular pleasure making the forenj
(foreigner) get up and dance. I think I killed it. :)
Germany
I took half of the final training day off and visited my host
sister instead. Hayminot (Haymi for short) runs a hair styling salon,
specializing in braids and curl sets. Since I was going to visit my sister in
Germany she wanted to do my hair in a very traditional style. It took much
longer than I expected. Since my hair doesn’t match any of the braiding hair
colors she had to basically turn my head into a wig, took a total of 6 hours
but the result was certainly attention grabbing. If I ever do it again, I’ll
probably skip the yellow and stick with the brown.
On Saturday I traveled all the way to Addis, spent the night
in a far too expensive hotel, and got on the plane to Germany the next day. The
people at the airport were all shocked and pleased when they saw me in full
Ethiopian regalia. I had a layover in Dubai and struck up a conversation with
an Ethiopian native that is living in Australia for work. He noticed my clothes
and hair and couldn’t help himself. He ended up treating me to dinner. When I
finally arrived in Germany it was early morning. My sister, AnnDee and her husband, Jeff met me at the
airport and were properly surprised at my attire (point!!!) and though they had
jackets with them for the colder German weather, my hand-made cotton outfit was
more than enough to keep me warm. We didn’t have a chance to explore Frankfurt
because they had taken the train so we all just headed back to base, just
stopping for sandwiches (appreciating how odd I looked, lol) and getting my
first glimpse of the countryside. Germany is a lovely country with lots of open
spaces between quaint towns. By the time we got home in the early afternoon we
simply crashed. I was introduced to the two rambunctious puppies, Izzy and
Sadie, and I’m happy to say they accepted me into their pack.
The first week in Germany was mainly spent getting ready for
my sister's vegan Harvest Feast. We did a lot of shopping while I stocked up on
1st world goodies! Oreos and a giant bag of Doritos were the first
to go in the cart! Evenings were spent cleaning the house and watching Netflix.
I was able to try some German dishes, as well as the German version of sushi
and Mexican food, which I had been missing.
The vegan Harvest Feast was held the week before
Thanksgiving, and was delectable. We had an engaged couple over for the
celebration and spent all day cooking. We tried out a Sa’taan roast (wheat
protein meat substitute) with roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, vegan gravy,
pumpkin rolls and pumpkin pie with absolutely delectable coconut whipped cream
(highly recommended).
The following week's highlight was the Rhine River cruise,
where we got to see a bunch of lovely German towns along the Rhine River. We
started out at sunrise by climbing onto a bus and dozing for the next hour or
so. We were awakened as the bus proceeded to back up a huge hill on a narrow
street, cars on either side. When we finally reached the top we all cheered for
the bus driver's daring feat. We were all terrified AND impressed.
At the top of the hill was the first part of our tour - a
castle tour. The castle was part of a long chain of castles along the river
that all were owned by different individuals demanding a toll tax. This was
because back in the day Germany was not a single country but rather a
smattering of settlements. The castle was home to an overwhelming and gaudy
display of hunting trophies, though it also had a quaint chapel, lovely
paintings, and a library. There were a few suits of armor around, including
child-sized armor and model suits. We were allowed to try on a helmet, which I
found to be very fun. My favorite though was the view from the top of the
walls. I felt very much the "high Lady". :P
We broke for breakfast at the castle and then drove to
another town up the river. Here we stopped at a local wine and cuckoo clock
shop and were allowed to try the local ice wine and some selections of brandy.
It was my first time trying any brandy, and I instantly fell in love with the
peach brandy. We just had to buy a bottle. ;)
From there we jumped on the boat and floated down the Rhine
River looking at all the castles, statues, churches and just the German
architecture while sipping on some macchiato. They hosted a small raffle and
Jeff won a lovely Christmas ornament. At the end we stopped at a town which
hosts a Christmas market. We ate a complimentary German meal and then explored
the town decked out in lights and decorations. The stalls sold many delectable
foods including bratwurst, fried mushrooms, chestnuts, soups, and crepes. Also
the German specialty of gluwein, which is a hot spiced-wine served in special
mugs. Everywhere there were special crafts and knickknacks to peruse. After
that, we climbed back on the bus to head home.
AnnDee and I went off to get our hair done before I went back
to Ethiopia. She got pink put on the bottom half of her hair and put a few pink
streaks in mine too. I also got my hair trimmed, which was much needed after a
year in country. The next morning she gave my hair a blowout and we headed out
to the Frankfurt airport to say goodbye.
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