Burdened Soul

A couple nights ago I asked where the laundry lady’s daughter went to during the day while she worked. Tesfanesh said that she played in the street and that she went home for lunch to her neighbor’s house who fed her. This whole time I thought that she was married and that her daughter was in preschool. I felt so bad and had this huge burden to do something. I don’t know how she concentrates on doing anything. If I were she I would be worried about my child the whole time. I know that she doesn’t make enough money to send her to school. So the next day I asked her to find out how much it cost to sent her to school for one month. She came back the next day and I was pleased and horrified at the same time. I was pleased because it only costs $8 a month and horrified that I hadn’t done this sooner. So I gave her money for the registration fee, her first month and a backpack (every little kid needs a backpack). Today was her first day of school. She came by after to show me her backpack – which was empty – so I got some crayons, paper, coloring book, pencils and a pencil sharpener. I also gave her new shoes, a My Little Pony and a stuffed animal. She was so excited. Her mom told me that she slept with her backpack the night before. The backpack was so stuffed with awesome stuff that it wouldn’t close and it was really heavy. Her mom tried to carry it for her but she refused and wouldn’t let anyone take it from her.
So everyone who gave me money to come over here, know that you are sending a little girl to school and giving her mom some piece of mind. I think I am going to set up a small fund for her so she can continue her education. If you would like to help financially please email me. Thank you.

Cha-Ma (Shoes)

I decided that all the kids needed new shoes. So today Hiwot and I went to the merkato and went shopping for shoes. Now the merkato is the largest open-air market in Africa so we went to the shoe district. There were rows and rows of shops selling shoes. Most of them were sold the shoes at wholesale price if you bought 6 of them. So I ended up buying 18 even though there are only 10 big kids here right now. I figured that we would be getting more kids soon anyways. Here is a picture of the kids and their shoes.

Achy Breaky Heart

So it’s not my heart but it was a good title. Zoudie is sick. I made her go to the hospital today to see a doctor. She didn’t want to go but I insisted and pulled the “what about your kids, you don’t want to get them sick,” card. I spent a little over $5 for her to see a doctor and get medicine. She has swollen tonsils. I asked her if he swabbed her throat and she said no. They do things really different here apparently. Now my throat hurts too and my body aches. Boo. Luckily I don’t have any tonsils. I feel much better today (the next morning). I found some antibiotics in the cupboard.

LOTS OF UPDATES!!!!!!!

Well we have lots of updates from Emily. I posted them all...all 48 of them! Woah. There are blogs labeled numbers 1 thru 30 which are from a c.d. that was mailed to me while we were in Ethiopia. Those postings are about 2 months old but I thought it would be fun for us to read these updates anyway. The ones that are not numbered are all recent and were received today. So once you get to the bottom of the page you can click on the small link that says "Older Posts" and that will give you a whole new page of older posts. Or at the very bottom there is a section that says March 2009 with links to all of the postings in March. Everything in March is new. Have fun reading and don't forgot to write comments so I can send them to Emily. She loves to know that people are still reading her blog!

-Autumn

Spring Is Here

Since we got so many new babies we needed Missaye to have her own room. She has been sleeping on a mattress on the floor in the babies’ room. So we rearranged the whole house. We moved the kids into the living room, we moved Missaye and four babies into the kid’s room and we moved the living room furniture into where the babies were. This will also keep the little kids from going up and down the stairs. Missaye was so excited to have her own room and a bed that I don’t know why I didn’t think of it earlier. We cleaned all of the rooms so well before we put any of the new furniture in it. I explained to Tesfanesh and Missaye that since it is spring we are ‘Spring Cleaning.’ Then I had to explain what that meant.

By Any Other Name

Today Sue came back from Kamashi with the cutest little girl ever. She couldn’t remember her name so she called her China because she might be half Chinese - but that is pure speculation. I don’t like that name because I do not think it is appropriate. After she left I asked Tesfanesh and Missaye not to call her that…they totally agreed. So then I asked Missaye to think of a very beautiful name to fit this very beautiful little girl. She came up with Halle (pronounced Hall-lay), which is short for Hallelujah. Some how it fits her very well. We were told that she was being fed sugar water so we tried regular formula and she vomited almost instantly when she had finished her bottle. So after 20 minutes we got out the soy formula and she has kept down 4 oz. without any problems. She is probably lactose intolerant and so she couldn’t keep cows milk down so they fed her sugar water. (This is just my opinion though). I hope this soy formula will work.

Just Like Home

I took Autumn & Brian as well as the Baileys to church with me. All of their responses to church were the same, “It is just like home. If I lived here I would rather go to something more Ethiopian.” I was a little taken aback. To me having church be the only thing that resembles home is something I really like and crave. I am surrounded by a different language, food, smells, culture and people- to be able to go to church and have it be similar to home where everyone speaks English, similar songs and styles of preaching is nice and comforting. I think they would change their minds if they lived here.

Stories From Home

I talked to my mom the other day and I asked how the boys were doing. She told me some really funny stories about Alemu.
Alemu can’t understand how the cordless phone works. He thinks it is used like a walkie-talkie and so he runs throughout the house looking for the other person.

I talked to Alemu last week and I asked him how church was. I asked if dad preached, he said yes. I asked him if it was good or bad, and he said bad. Poor dad.

Alemu asked my mom if there were fish in the pool.

Roll Call

SNL anyone? Since we have lost and gained so many children I will give you an update on who is at the house from youngest to oldest.
Melaku- He is between 3 and 4 weeks but we aren’t 100% sure. He has the cutest hair.
Ammanuel- He is 2 maybe 3 months and so beautiful.
Lily- She is now 5 months and a good size too. When she sneezes she sounds like Donald duck.
Yeabsera- She is also 5 months and has the best smile.
Enqutatash- She is 7 months and is going to be a heartbreaker.
Ruth- She is also 7 months old and is a “pudding” according to Phillipa.
Muna- She is 7 months as well and becoming very active.
Halle (Hallelujah)- She is 9 months maybe. Sue didn’t remember her name so Missaye named her Halle which is short for Hallelujah.
Henok- He is 9 months and has 6 teeth now.
Damenu- She is one year old and just learned how to walk by herself.
Meskerem- She is 15 months- maybe- and is starting to talk and responds to Hiwot.
Habtamu- He is almost 2 and makes funny faces all the time.
Helina- She is two and has 6 teeth now! She is talking more and more all the time. She even knows “Don’t do that,” and uses it correctly.
Melkamu- He is two and is just adorable. I wish I could take him home. Actually I would take any of them home.
Bruke- He is three and has an adorable smile.
Matthewos- He is three and has been having trouble listening lately – but still he is a wonderful little boy.
Juju- She is three and is the twin of Jurie. I can only tell them apart because Juju has a tuft of hair in the front and Jurie doesn’t.
Jurie- She is three and cries herself to sleep almost every night while Juju comforts her.
Hannah- She is four and likes to laugh…a lot.
Little Eyob- He is four- maybe. He likes to preach to the other kids.
Sena- He is four and has such a big smile he often drools…it is super cute.
Kanesa- He is four and brothers with Melkamu. He is a super sweet boy.
Big Eyob- He is five maybe. He is the brother of Helina. He is a big helper now that all the big kids are gone.
Sentayhu- She is six and very beautiful She is the sister of Habtamu. I really like her…she is a very very sweet girl. She asked me if I was her mom and I said no that I was her aunt. She now calls me auntie in Amharic sometimes.
So that’s all twenty-four kids now that Temesgen went home today. Within the next two days Sena, Juju and Jurie are going home.

Slippery Slope

This morning after giving Temesgen a bath- because his mom was picking him up- I decided that I needed a shower too. So I took a bucket and the electric kettle downstairs. When I was on the second step I slipped a little because there was water on the top of the stairs. Tesfanesh saw and said, “By Yay-sus.” (In the name of Jesus) I told her I was fine and continued down the stairs. When I was about three steps from the bottom I slipped really bad on water and actually fell. I hit my butt on the edge of the stair, which hurt really bad. There were about five kids watching me. I dropped everything when I slipped and Meseret came from the kitchen and saw what had happened and she said, “By Yay-sus!” as well. She actually picked me up (against my will) and put me on the bottom step. I limped into the living room and sat down to catch my breath. Tesfanesh came running in and asked what had happened and if I was alright. I told her there was water on the steps and whoever spilled it needs to clean it up right away. I also said that we were really lucky it was me and not a little kid. Zoudie then came downstairs and mopped up her water. I just checked and I have a huge black and blue bruise on my butt, which freaks all the nannies out. Since they are so dark you can’t really see bruises very well and since my butt is so white the color stands out. Oh to be a ferenge (white person).

Boo-Skit

Yesterday I did a second lice treatment on the new little girl. The whole process took about two and a half hours. I spent two hours picking lice out of her hair. Both of our backs hurt from sitting so still for that long that I treated her to a Fanta. We walked three doors down to a little store and while the lady was getting our sodas she said, “Emily, booskit.” She was asking for cookies. I was a little shocked, but I spent the twelve cents and bought her a packet of cookies as well as a soda. She then saved one for her little brother – which I thought was very sweet of her.

Barber Shop

Today I did the lice treatment on the new little boy for the second time. There were so many that I decided that it would have to be cut to prevent it from spreading to anyone else. After dinner and pajamas I put all the kids to bed but this little boy who had such cute hair. I came back with a comb and scissors and he was almost asleep on the floor. I had him sit on a little stool so I could cut his hair. He fell asleep within two minutes so I cut his hair as he slept. I feel bad but I just don’t have enough lice shampoo to treat everyone. I am so glad that his sister, who had lice really bad when she first came here, only needed two shampoo treatments so far. I woke him up when I finished and took him to look in the mirror…he just laughed and pointed to his hair. Maybe I should be a barber.

Future Plans

People ask me what my future plans are and I really don’t have an answer for them, which usually frustrates them. I now have an answer for them…
A couple weeks ago I started noticing a cockroach here and a cockroach there but it wasn’t that big a deal…I was busy with my sister and brother-in-law in town. Then I started to notice more and more as the weeks went on. When my parents were here they helped me find spray that would kill them. Since they have left we have all noticed them. It has gotten so bad that I want to gag. Yesterday I couldn’t stand it anymore so I started the huge task getting rid of them, and first washed all the dishes in hot water and then put them away from the cupboards and drawers. After everyone, but Tesfanesh, had gone to bed we started spraying. We lifted up the little mats that all the dishes sit on and there were hundreds. The spray was so potent that after seconds we were coughing and trying to breath. After they would drop on the ground we would hurry and step on them before they could run for safety. Both of us were totally grossed out. I finally made it to bed around mid-night – which is really late for me here. Today after breakfast Meseret, Missaye and I started to clean the kitchen. We moved everything that wasn’t attached to the wall…which included the bottom cabinetry. We used diluted antiseptic as cleaner after we sprayed more. After cleaning all the walls and cabinets we started in on the stove. I knew that they lived in the stove so we started to take it apart, and the more we unscrewed the more we were grossed out. We had to take apart some wires to get a large piece off and so I took a photo of which wires went were…it was a good thing too. We lifted a small corner of the fiberglass and I actually let out a little scream. I decided right then and there that it was coming off. I grabbed wire cutters and a razor blade and it came off with out a hitch. They wanted to just throw it away so I had to explain why we had to keep it. After explaining it twice they finally got it…well at least I think so. I sprayed the oven/stove so much that we moved it outside. Then came the fun part of squishing the ones that dropped to the ground. Meseret then had to make lunch on the little charcoal stove. Missaye and I finished up with the stove and them moved on to the other appliances. I cleaned the fridge while she cleaned the injera maker. After we finished with those we moved on to the floor. Instead of using mops we cleaned the floor Talcott style….we used our rags and got on our hands and knees and started scrubbing. We had just started when Mesert called us for lunch at 2:30pm. After lunch Missaye went back to the floor while I put the stove back together before either of us forgot how to do it. I had to refer to my pictures a couple time to get the wiring correctly. We both finished right around the same time. I have never in 5 months of being here seen the kitchen look so good. I was tempted to put everything back into the cupboards but I want to make sure they are dead. If they’re not I don’t know where else they could be. My hands are so dry from the antiseptic, but I feel like I accomplished a lot today.
…I should either be an electrician or an exterminator.

Hypochondriac

I am usually not worried about catching anything from the kids besides a cold once and a while, but for the last four days I have become really paranoid that I have caught something. It all started when we brought two kids to the transition house. Two days later Phillipa tells me and says that they have lice. Oh great! Of course the kids that are sleeping in my room have lice. I had her check my hair the next day and her response was, “well you don’t have it yet.” Now all I do it scratch my head and wonder if I got it yet. It wouldn’t be the worst thing that could happen to me but I really, really don’t want lice.

Love At First Sight

I met my nephew for the first time in early January right after Autumn and Brian passed court. I was only able to spend 30 minutes with him but I fell in love with him the first time I saw him. I loved taking care of him while they were here for a week. I was really surprised – and secretly thrilled- when Autumn left him with me for a couple hours while they went out shopping. I cannot wait to see him again in a couple months!

Over Already?

The month of February is over. It has gone by so fast. It started with my sister and brother-in-law arriving on the first to pick up their son. They stayed for a week, which I really enjoyed. Then I had a week back at the house. Then my mom and dad came to pick up my two brothers. It was so good to see them. At the same time Dinknesh’s parents came and took her to America. (The nannies really enjoy meeting the families that the kids are going to.) A week after my parent’s arrived Mastewal and Tamirat’s parents came and picked them up. I loved having my parents and the Baileys here in town. Two days ago Sue arrived in Ethiopia. I have visited two orphanages with her in two days and have brought back two kids each time. Today we brought a two month old to the house and I carried him the whole time…my arm hurt so bad from being in the same position for two hours.

Bang For Your Buck

A missionary, who has lived in Ethiopia for the last 16 years, told me that dried papaya seeds kill giardia and any other kind of bad bacteria in your stomach. This is wonderful news. The only catch is that we have to take this nasty stuff twice a day for seven days. Since the kids have been sick recently I have felt that we were giving them so much medication. Their little bodies need a break from medicine. Since most of them have had some form of malnutrition they are more susceptible to getting sick – which they have been. So three days ago I bought some papayas and bananas and dried the seeds over night. The next morning I crushed them and mixed them with banana, cinnamon and honey. It was barely tolerable but everyone choked it down. Actually the kids really enjoyed it and asked for more. The only side effect is that their poop changed color.
It doesn’t matter that we have revamped the drinking water situation the little kids still drink from the tank or put something in their mouths. If I turn my back for one second something naughty is going on. If one kid gets something then it passes through all of them so quickly.
We only took it twice a day for three days because we could hardly stand to take it anymore.

Birthday Bash

Yesterday Tamirat turned 3 years old. I figured that we should celebrate more than one child’s birthday so we did. We celebrated Tamirat’s 3rd birthday, Matthewos’ 3rd birthday, Helina’s 2nd birthday, Meskerem’s 1st birthday and Missaye’s 23rd (pronounced Miss-eye-eh) birthday. Each of them had their own cake with different colored frosting and unique decoration. We definitely surprised Missaye. Since they don’t know the actual date of their birthdays I figured that we could celebrate when ever. We sang Happy Birthday 5 times and they all got to blow out birthday candles (thank you Laura and Lindsey). Well, Meskerem didn’t know how so Hiwot helped her. We had blown up balloons - which the kids really liked – especially when they popped. It was the first time that Temesgen, Juju, Jurie, and Sena had ever had cake. The four birthday kids got little presents - which they really liked. I think we should do this once a month…there are plenty of people. So far we have celebrated at least one birthday for the last three months now.

He Never Did It Again

Buze stopped breastfeeding today (she is going back to Wolisso tomorrow) and her breasts were sore. Phillipa had once said that if you put raw cabbage on your breast it will stop the milk faster. So she went out with Alemu after dinner and got cabbage – only she got lettuce. It was getting dark really fast so she hurried back out to get the right one. When she got back she told Tesfanesh that Israel had given her one birr (dollar) for bread. Luckily there hadn’t been any available. Tesfanesh’s answer was (which surprised me) that if she had given him bread then she wouldn’t get dinner. Whoa…all right! Finally I’m not the only bad guy in town.

Stick To My Guns

What my parents have taught me about being around/raising kids is that you have to be consistent. If you threaten them with a punishment or to take something away then you have to actually do it. If you don’t then you lose respect instantly. Tonight Tesfanesh told me that Israel keeps dumping his food on the ground and refusing to eat. Meseret had told her right before dinner and she asked me what we should do. Hmmm…what to do? This kid knows how to push buttons. I told her that he obviously doesn’t want to eat so let’s not give him the opportunity to waste food. If he dumps his food at lunch then he doesn’t get dinner….if he dumps his dinner then no breakfast. I know not feeding kids is horrible but I think he can miss a meal or two and not have any problems. So I told her to explain to him that since he dumped his food on the ground at lunch he doesn’t get dinner and to stay in his room. She then explained that if he does it again the punishment will be the same.

Hard Knock Life

Today Hiwot called me up to the kid’s room. When I got upstairs there was toilet paper and the extra cups all over the place. (The extra cups are stored under Israel’s bed in a huge duffle bag.) Four kids were awake from their nap and playing in the toilet paper. This is the third day straight that the same four kids have been playing in toilet paper. Toilet paper is expensive here. So I brought Tesfanesh into the room to tell Little Eyob, Tamirat, Matthewos and Helina (who was completely naked - she kept taking off her clothes today for some reason) that soft ‘toilet paper’ is expensive and not a toy. I took them downstairs for their punishment. We gathered around a laundry tub and washed a load of clothes. They actually enjoyed it because they got to play in water. Matthewos was the best at washing. After we were done washing I gave them each $1 birr. They then had to give it to Tesfanesh who was holding a roll of toilet paper. They really didn’t want to give it to her at all. They never get money and so it was torture to have to give it up. Matthewos then took the roll up to their room. I’m pretty sure they didn’t understand completely, but it was the best I could think of. Saying “no don’t do that” doesn’t work most of the time here.

Daily Vitamins

On Sunday late afternoon a woman and her two kids knocked on the gate and asked for food. I told them to wait a minute while I went and asked Tesfanesh. She said of course and I ran to get three plates ready for them. We only had a little injera and wot left but I grabbed some and three cups and water and went back outside. When I opened it there were two women, one pregnant, and five kids (two sleeping) between them. I ran back inside and made up one more plate, we ran out of injera and wot, and got some more water. The kids were so excited about the water that we filled up their one bottle and gave them three more full ones. I ran upstairs and grabbed some children’s multi-vitamins (after asking Tesfanesh) and then I went into my room and grabbed a bottle of women’s vitamins and ripped the note off my mom had stuck on there, “Emily please start taking these.” I made sure that a pregnant lady could take them and then I explained to them through Buze that the kids get one a day and they get one a day. Then they left. I told my sister Autumn to tell my mom that they were going to a good cause - and I prefer Flintstones anyways.

#30 Thank You

Thank you to everyone who reads this blog. I know it would probably be more interesting with pictures but I can’t…it takes too long to download. Thank you to Christa for being so wonderful and thinking of me. Thank you Daniel for calling me the other day…it made my day. Thank you Laura for stalking me through this blog. Thank you Autumn for posting for me and emailing me often about what is going on in the family. Thank you mom for being so loving and supportive. Thank you dad for emailing me the other day…I started to tear up in the internet café. Thank you Ian and Ta for reading this…I feel connected to you even though you are in Michigan. Thank you Lisa for being wonderful…I read your note everyday. Thank you all of the AGCI families that read this…I have enjoyed reading your blog and following your story before I left - I hope you enjoy this blog. Please let me know when you are in Addis I would love to meet you face to face.

#29 And They're Gone

Today I had to say goodbye to Derartu. It was very sad…I almost started crying but I held it together. I said goodbye to Ayana on Tuesday. That wasn’t so hard because I know I will see him again (I found out that they live in San Diego as well). It is a bitter sweet feeling. I am happy that they are with their families but I am going to miss them so much. I found out that there are more kids coming to the house soon…I know I will like them but it will never be the same.

#28 Full Time Nanny

Tonight marks my first night as a full time nanny. Hiwot’s cousin died yesterday so she left this morning to go to Jima (8 hours away) for one week. Since Tesfanesh is still gone I am in charge of her three babies and Hannah as well as the 11 other children. I am sitting in her bed right now and it is much more comfortable than mine. So far it hasn’t been too bad…ask me again tomorrow morning…I’m not looking forward to waking up three times to feed three babies.

#27 Princess Bride

You know the part of the movie where Buttercup is marrying Prince Humperdink and the minister says marriage funny? Today reminded me of that movie. It went to check my email after going to the U.S. Embassy with the Judd and Mellace (pronounced Ma-la-chi). I spent way too long there…I did have over 60 emails to read and respond to. It was getting dark fast so instead of taking the mini-bus and having to walk from downtown Alembank to the house I took a contract taxi. After I got into the taxi I asked how much it would be…he said 100 birr. Yeah right…it was just because I am white. I talked him down to 60 birr and that was only because he thought I am beautiful. Please. He was quiet chatty…and by chatty I mean flirty. He asked me to marry him about 15 times…no joke. I told him that the only reason he wanted to marry me was so that he could go to the U.S. – he acted insulted. Hahahahaha. Like there would be any other reason to propose marriage to a complete stranger. He told me about him wanting to go to a mediation class so find peace and joy. I was then able to talk to him about Jesus. He is Orthodox so he seemed to just brush what I was saying off because he thought Christian is Christian. Wrong. Although I don’t know much about the Orthodox faith I know they are different. I was kind of nervous talking to him about it…but it didn’t last long. He asked me if he could call his mother (whom he still lives with and he was around 30). I said sure. Then he said to tell her I am staying in Alembank tonight. What?!? Oh no you aren’t. Then he tried to tell me that he was going to stay at the house with me to talk about religion. I almost had him drop me off right then and there but it was almost dark. I am dreading the fact that he now knows where the house is. Ewwww. I don’t ever want to take a contract taxi – it’s not worth the risk of having him as a driver again. I should have said I was married.

#26 Two Months In

Today marks two months for me. It has gone by fast so far. When I think of all that has happened I can’t believe that I am actually here in Ethiopia. I am so thankful for this opportunity. Although I feel very disconnected from the rest of the world I wouldn’t trade these last two months for anything.

#25 More Soft (Toilet Paper) Please

There is a really bad virus going around….or maybe it is food poisoning…I’m not sure. Most of the older kids have diarrhea and by most I mean all but four. Sunday Matthewos, Melkamu and Helina stayed home from church because they had such bad diarrhea. Hiwot was going to take them but when I told her they were sick she changed her mind. Sunday night Tamirat had extremely bad diarrhea…I mean really bad. Within the span of 10 minutes he probably went 10 – 12 times. He would say to me, “Emily caca.” We would go to the bathroom he would poop and then we would go back and he would have one sip of Lem Lem (oral rehydration salts) and then it was, “Emily caca,” all over again. He was getting so tired that he actually dozed off while sitting on the toilet. He was so miserable…he said he had to go but when he got to the toilet there was nothing left. I knelt down and was hugging him because he was tired and in pain…I heard him gag…that’s when I knew he was going to vomit. I quickly reached for the trash can and he vomited in it. I called for Messiyay (the new nanny that is here while Tesfanesh is gone) to help me. She held the trash can while I wiped him…although there wasn’t a need to because he couldn’t go anymore. He slept in my room that night.
Last night Mastewal came in at 5:30am. She was just creeping in to get some soft (toilet paper) but I woke up. You know the feeling of someone watching you…I think that’s what woke me up. She said, “Emily soft.” I gave her some and told her to go in Zoudie’s bathroom. Then I noticed that she woke Temeskgen up so she wouldn’t be alone. I went in to check on her and she had really really bad diarrhea. I sent Temeskgen back to bed and told her that I would get her medicine – unfortunately the door was locked. I helped her wipe (I probably didn’t need to help her but she was tired and not feeling well) and put her back to bed. She climbed in my bed this morning and stayed there for a couple hours while Lily’s mom and I folded the new clothes.

#24 Calendar

I have made myself a calendar with February 1st as the end date. Not only is it my grandma’s birthday but it is the day that my sister and brother-in-law arrive in Ethiopia. I have taped it up above my dresser and I am slowly crossing the days off. 24 to go!

#23 Worried

I heard that some of you are worried about me since I haven’t posted in a while. Please know that I am in good health and enjoying my time here. I have tried to go to the internet café a couple times but the internet here is so unreliable I wasn’t able to use it. I did go to Philipa’s house once to use the internet but I didn’t have my computer so I didn’t have the posts. Please pray for me as I am in need of more patients. I feel that I am constantly putting someone in time out for hitting or throwing toys at someone else.

#22 What About Bob (Ethiopian Christmas)

Seven thirty came too fast but Derartu and Eyob were awake and making a lot of noise. We tried to dress everyone nicely but Israel had a hard time finding close that he actually wanted to wear. After everyone (kids and adults) had breakfast they were allowed to open up their stockings. We went youngest to oldest and made them come up to the front of the living room for pictures. One at a time took a while but I think they enjoyed it. As each person came up front everyone else was clapping and cheering their name. Some of the kids didn’t know what to do and looked scared and lost but then some of them loved the attention and getting the little trinkets. Kanesa was the most terrified out of all of them. He wouldn’t put his hand inside the stocking to get any of this toys or candy out. Temeskgen loved the attention as well as Tamirat. Philipa and her husband and two sons came soon after and they brought balloons and sticks to put them on. After about 10 minutes of all the kids hitting each other with them we wanted to pop the balloons…instead we sent them outside (they had a greater chance of popping outside than inside). Philipa made a rule that if they hit someone with the stick part of the balloon the stick is taken away – Dinkinesh and Israel were the first to have their sticks taken away.
Lunch was soon after that and we were all pleased and thankful that Philipa brought sodas for everyone. After the kids ate they went down to take a nap while the older kids watched a movie (typical routine) and we had our lunch. I actually tried it but I couldn’t eat much of it. It tasted good but I just couldn’t do it knowing what it had been the day before. Meseret understood. After lunch while we were waiting for coffee the babies opened up their Christmas stockings. After coffee Philipa left and so did Tesfanesh and Eyob. Tesfanesh’s brother is getting married to Hiwot’s cousin and she decided to take Eyob with her. She will be gone for a week. I think we will be able to cope…at least I hope so.

#21 Bobby (Ethiopian Christmas Eve)

After we got back from the zoo Tesfanesh and Alemu went shopping to buy food for Christmas lunch. Philipa’s daughter Hannah spent the night to help me get everyone’s stockings ready. Tesfanesh brought back a male sheep…I thought she was going to bring back a couple chickens but no she brought back a live sheep. The kids were enraptured by the beast in the front grass area. They crowded around him in a semi-circle and just watched him for 5 minutes…until they realized all he was going to do was eat the grass. The beast then full realized there were 10 children standing there watching him – I don’t think he appreciated it because he started wandering off to the back. The kids followed him almost taunting and provoking him with how close they were getting. All of the sudden (well not really…it was more like when he got to the back and had no where else to turn and found no more grass) he turned around and started chasing the kids. They ran to the front and when I saw the beast chasing them I ushered them inside. Helina was the last of the runners and the sheep almost got her – but I was too quick for him. Hannah and I screamed when he climbed the two stairs and almost got inside the door – again I was too quick for him and he was shut out. Everyone went inside the living room and watched him eat more grass from the window. Soon the kids lost interest in him and they colored until dinner time. Hannah and I were getting the kids ready for bed when Tesfanesh came upstairs and said that she couldn’t find someone to kill the sheep. Hmmmm…what to do what to do. So we decided to name it. Hannah and I thought of a good name…Bob or Bobby as I tenderly called him.
Around 8pm two men came to the gate – one man just slit his troat and left and the other one took his skin off and then one more man came and actually butchered him. Hannah and I got our flashlights and cameras and took tons of pictures – it was my first killing. I had a hard time watching but soon Bobby was dead and laying in pieces in one of our laundry buckets. Bobby stunk so bad. After everything was done and over with I told Hannah that I didn’t think I could eat him tomorrow. We had a very late dinner…it was around 10 pm…and we had some of Bobby. I couldn’t do it. I think they understood but I’m not sure.
After dinner we went upstairs to get the stockings ready. Sue sent over just enough stockings and some glitter glue pens. We wrote everyone’s name on their stocking and sorted out the toys. We didn’t get done until 12:30am. I kind of felt bad because Hannah usually goes to bed around 9pm. Oops.

#20 Black Lion Zoo

I know…it’s a boring title. Christmas Eve (Ethiopian Christmas that is) Tesfanesh and I took 15 children and Philipa and her three children to the zoo. Now coming from San Diego and having a world famous zoo I was expecting too much. I sent Tesfanesh down to Alembank to hire a minibus like a contract taxi…if they would have seen me they would have doubled the price. We piled into the van and it was surprising how many little people we could fit into it. After a 45 minute ride we arrived...by that time Matthewos, Helina and Melkamu were sleeping. We put Melkamu and Helina in strollers and took a couple group photos then it was off to the lions. They don’t call it the “Black Lion Zoo” for nothing you know. We entered onto a circular path and slowly made our way around seven cages…each holding a male and female lion. They were huge – no scratch that they were bigger than huge they were gigantic. We were about 3 feet from them when they would come close to the cage. Sometimes they got a tiny bit too close for the little kids liking. After the lions we walked a little ways up the path and saw 3 monkeys and two baboons. The kids really liked the monkeys because they were more interactive. Hannah kept saying “Monkey…Monkey…Monkey!” trying to get their attention – it worked once. And that was it. That was the zoo…three kinds of animals. No wonder it only cost 10 cents for each child to get in. I brought snacks for everyone so we had that. I was trying to spend more time at the zoo than in the car so Tesfanesh asked a man what else there was to do…he said that there was a kiddy park out front…indeed there was. I bought tickets for the 10 younger kids (Helina was so tired by this point so she didn’t go on) to ride a merry-go-round type thing. Dinkinesh, Mastewal, Alemu and Israel decided that they wanted to drive the big wheels Jeeps instead. They loved driving the jeeps around. Temeskgen loved the merry-go-round thing but Derartu looked scared the whole time. Tamirat didn’t know what to think about it and Matthewos took me by surprise and enjoyed himself…I could only tell because he jumped up and down when he took my hand. Philipa found an ice cream stand and was so generous enough to by all the children an ice cream as well as a couple of the street kids. As we waited for Tesfanesh to hire another minibus I broke open some trail mix and raisins…Helina didn’t like the feeling of raisins in her hand so she dumped them on the ground. I put one in her mouth and she ate it and then asked for more. Tamirat kept asking for more snacks and I finally had to tell him no more because he had about 3 times as much as the other children. I gave a street kid a power bar and some raisins…he really liked it although I’m sure he would have preferred an ice cream cone…if only he had come ten minutes earlier. Philipa had gone with Tesfanesh and went to the store to buy bread for everyone. Everyone climbed into the minibus and started chomping on their bread. Matthewos, Hannah, and Helina fell asleep on the way home all of them were only half done with their bread. All in all it was a fun outing even if the zoo only has three kinds of animals.

#19 Squishy Face

On Sunday Israel and Alemu came into my room right before I was about to get up. Israel’s eyes were almost swollen shut. He looked Chinese. I asked him (through Alemu) if he ate anything different or if he was stung by a bee or bit by a spider. No was his reply to all the questions. I got out the antihistamine medication and gave him one. Simegne came for her weekly check on the kids and I asked her what she thought it was. Her answer stunned me and made me angry. “If his feet were swollen too then it indicates a kidney problem but since his feet are fine just watch him for three days and then we will see. Don’t worry…these things happen all the time here.” I asked her about a possible allergic reaction…nope she didn’t think it was that. “Ok in America someone’s face just doesn’t swell up for no reason. And if it is a kidney problem why are we not at the doctors?” Again she said not to worry he will be fine. I asked him if he still wanted to go to church and he said yes. We made our way to church and immediately Philipa asked if he had an allergic reaction. So I’m not crazy or paranoid. After church it was time for him to take more medicine…this time I gave him two because the swelling hadn’t gone down much with one. We went out to lunch with Philipa and her family and all of the sudden he became quiet and upset. He did this last Sunday so I just thought he was overwhelmed and shutting down. Philipa asked me if the medicine I gave him was an antihistamine…duh Emily…of course that’s why he is tired…Benadryl will do that to anyone. Since I gave him a larger dose he reacted differently than in the morning. When we made it home he laid on the spare bed with the other kids and watched a movie. I gave him another dose around bed time and he again just shut down. I walked him to his room and he just stood there so I found his pajamas and helped him get dressed. As soon as his head hit the mattress he was asleep. It is Monday night and his face is almost back to normal. No more squishy faced Israel.
I lied Tuesday morning he woke me up again…this time his eyes are swollen as well as his top lip. I checked inside his mouth (good advice Autumn) and saw that his teeth are rotten. Dad I hope Dr. Hernandez can do miracles. I made him brush his teeth and told him he had to do it everyday twice a day…we’ll see how well he does. Apparently there is a dentist that a lot of the SIM missionaries go to…I might take him there in a couple days. Wednesday his face was fine…if it is swollen tomorrow he goes to the dentisit.

#18 Family

I’m not sure what I would do during the holidays if the boys weren’t here. Even though we just met a month and half ago I already think of them as my brothers and family. I think they are starting to think of me as their sister.

#17 Anxious

I am anxious to get a call from my sister and minute now about whether she passed court or not. Once she passes then I can go visit my nephew who lives about 20 minutes away in another orphanage.
She passed and she will be here in a little less than one month!!! Wish me luck as I try and go visit my nephew!

#16 Prison

We went to prison this week…ok the U.S. Embassy looks like a prison so I have started calling it that. We had to take Derartu and Ayana there to start the visa paperwork. Ayana is ecstatic about cars, trucks and any other vehicle that we saw. He kept pointing them out for me to see out his window. I finally put him on my lap so he could look out the front…and then Derartu wanted to look out the window as well so she hopped on the other leg. We had to stop by the CCI office on the way back and Alizare let Ayana climb up front and honk the horn and click the turning signals on. You would have thought the sun stood still his smile was so big. He also figured out how to use the power windows - which got him in trouble when he stuck his head out the window while we were driving. The next day we had to take him to the hospital to get him the Hepatitis B vaccination. We took public transport - which he thought was totally awesome. We rode on a big bus and he just loved it. The driver actually started talking to him – which made his day. What is it going to be like for him to go in an airplane next week?

#15 He Called Her Mom

I organized all the clothes by size…it took me all day. I was showing Alemu and Israel where clothes their size was. I had them try on different pants and shirts to see what size them were and I found an orange Hulk tank top in Alemu’s pile. I help it up for him to see and he said, “My mom gave that to me.” I knew this of course but I played along and said, “Really? When?” His reply was, “In Kamashi.” I was so touched that he called her ‘his mom’. It is the first time he has referred to her on his own. Usually I ask him a question about our family or when he met our mom and he answers it. But this was the first time that he called her by name on his own accord.

#13 Dropping The Ball

So one little boy has really bad mal-nutrition. I learned that there are two kinds of mal-nutrition…one where the stomach is distended and the other the whole body swells with fluid (edema). This one little boy has the second kind of mal-nutrition and because of this his testicles were not descended. Since he has been here for six weeks (he got here the same day I did) his swelling has gone down a little due to the improved nutrition. Three nights ago I was getting him ready for bed (he wears a diaper at night because he wets the bed) and I noticed that his testicles had dropped and that his scrotum had ripped a little. The next morning I checked and it had ripped more during the night…now it was bleeding and oozing clear liquid. He doesn’t show emotions but I could tell he was in pain. I cleaned it and called Dereje and asked if I could take him to the doctor. He said no because we don’t have the extra money to go to the doctor unless it is an emergency. So I yelled at him and tried to explain what was going on and that it wasn’t an emergency but that he needed to be seen by a doctor. He said he would call the nurse and give me a call back. He called Tesfanesh 2 minutes later and had her explain to him in Amharic. He then called me back 15 minutes later and said that Simegne was coming and if she thinks it is necessary to go to the doctor than I could take him. She came and had a look and squeezed his scrotum to get liquid out. I felt so bad for him…he actually started whimpering and twitching his foot. She brought him antibiotics incase of an infection and left. I was so mad at this point. This is just something that requires a physician’s assessment. I talked with Philipa that night and told her what was going on…she was in disbelief that I wasn’t allowed to go to the doctors and wants Dereje to explain to his adoptive dad why his son’s testicles could be damaged permanently because he wanted to save 100 birr ($10 USD). I had to take two other kids today to a specific clinic to have a medical report done for the U.S. Embassy…I told the doctor about it and she said that he needs to be seen by a physician. So I have decided to take him…I might make Dereje mad but the little boy won’t be in so much pain hopefully.

#12 They Will Be Great

My new brothers will be great uncles, husbands and dads one day. Since all the babies have been sick recently I have come to rely on Alemu and Israel for help. Alemu loves Yabsira and Israel loves Muna. Alemu will hold her, feed her, burp her and rock her to sleep. Israel loves to play with Muna…she is at the stage where she is starting to laugh and be really personable. I tried to tech them how to change diapers but they just weren’t comfortable with that yet…I don’t blame them diarrhea isn’t fun to clean up. The ladies call Yabsira my baby because I take care of her most of the time (since she has been sick I have become very protective of her and who gets to watch her). Know if she cries and Alemu is in the room they say to him, “Your baby is crying.” And he goes and picks her up and takes care of her. If Muna is crying and Israel is in the room he will pick her up and hold her and tickle her until she laughs. During lunch and dinner the four big kids help feed four little kids. Alemu has Melkamu and Israel has Matthewos. They are really good at feeding them slow with little bites. They are just really good with kids – they will fit in perfectly to our family. I gave Ruth, Enqutatash, Muna and Yabsira their Hepatitis B vaccination with Simegne on Sunday before church. There weren’t any extra adults to hold Yabsira when it was her turn so I asked Alemu to hold her while she got the injection. He was hesitant at first because he knew she would be in pain but I said that I couldn’t hold her and give her a shot. As soon as it was over he cradled her in his arms and she stopped screaming. Just like that…she stopped. They will be great that’s all I have to say about that.

#11 Hopefully It's More Than A Phrase

Last night during the power outage Alemu, Mastewal and Dinkinesh stayed up later than normal to help me with the babies. I over heard Alemu tell the girls, “My name isn’t Alemu it’s Peter.” My reply was, “Peter Parker or Peter from the Bible? Should I just call you Spiderman?” He just laughed and said yes Peter Parker. I asked him if he was serious…if in America he wants to be called Peter. Again he laughed and said yes. I do like the name Peter but I hope he has thought about this and it’s not just a phase.

#10 It's Contagious

The virus that Kanesa had has spread to all the babies but fear not all ye faithful listeners they are in good hands. It first started with Muna…she was vomiting and had diarrhea. Then is passed to Yabsira, Ruth and Enqutatash. We tried to keep Lily away from them as much as possible. On Christmas Ilie told me that Lily sounded really bad. I put my ear to her chest…she did not sound good. I called Philipa and she confirmed that we should go to the hospital because she is so small. After dropping Ilie off at the airport we finally made our way to the hospital. The doctor listened to her chest and said she has bronchiolitis – inflammation of the bronchioles. She was started on medication by injection form and we were told that she had to come back for five days to continue the medication. Luckily Simegne (Sim – eye), the Ethiopian nurse that comes to the house once a week, was on call. She said she would bring Saturday and Sunday’s dose to the house so that it would save a money and time. She also said she would teach me how to give shots in the thigh. This was a little scary because she is so small but it was also so thrilling. I also told her that the babies were sick – she said she would bring an IV bag and that it would save money to do it at the house than to take them to the hospital. Saturday came around and Yabsira was super sick. She was drinking so much ORS (oral rehydration salts) but with the vomiting and diarrhea she was very dehydrated. Simegne started her on an IV and gave her the same medication that Lily was on. She told me how to give Lily her injection and then walked away. I asked her to come back and watch to make sure I was doing it correctly. When she left I took the IV out and Yabsira looked so much better. She still had diarrhea but the vomiting subsided with medication. I asked Simegne to come back on Monday because Ruth and Enqutatash were starting to get sick as well – I also asked her to buy more medication and IVs. When Monday rolled around those two were in such bad shape that she started them on antibiotics and an IV. I continued to administer injections to Lily, Yabsira, Ruth and Enqutatash. It is now Friday and I can finally say that the diarrhea has stopped and all the babies are doing much better.

#9 It Is Like A Desert

That is how Alizare described the women of Addis. Ilie was trying to set him up with the girl that runs the store a couple houses down from ours. When she said she was very beautiful his response was, “she is probably very proud.” Hahahahahaha. Most Ethiopians are very beautiful – I think he is going to have a problem finding a wife if all beautiful women are prideful.

#8 And That Makes 23

Yesterday Mastewal’s biological brother or maybe half-brother came to the house. She was so excited that he was there as well as her biological dad – not because she is attached to them but because Dinkenesh’s new mom Ilie just left. I know she was feeling a little left out but it was really good for Dinkenesh to have Ilie there. Anyways, so when we were getting everyone ready for bed I asked Tesfanesh where we were going to put Temeskgen. She didn’t know. So I said that we should put the older girls in the spare bed in my room. She liked the idea of using the bed but not the part about the girls. They keep the peace in that room and if they left it would be all little kids in one room. So we put Kanesa and big Eyob in the my room.

#7 Merry Christmas

On Christmas Eve Alemu, Israel and I went over to Philipa’s house and spent the night. We went to the store so I could buy more stocking stuffers and Corn Flakes for Philipa’s kids – they get to eat Corn Flakes twice a week so I bought them each their own box. Dinner was so good…we had pasta in a homemade alfredo sauce. Hannah, who is twelve, helped me wrap presents until it was her bed time. We checked the movies I had gotten for her brothers. One worked the other didn’t. So we checked some other movies that I had gotten…finally one worked. I wrapped all the gifts and then put the boy’s stocking at the foot of the bed with nametags beside. They woke me up at 7:15am saying, “Merry Christmas!” I asked them if they opened up their stocking and they said no. So we went back to their room and opened up our stockings. Israel immediately tore open some chips and candy. Alemu started to yell at him but I told him it was ok and to eat what ever they wanted. Philipa had given us apples in our stockings…they were the most coveted present in our stockings so we took pictures with them. Philipa and her children soon appeared and so we went to make breakfast. Hannah was in charge of the pancakes and I had brought blueberry muffin mix so I was in charge of that. Philipa started on the preparations for lunch. Philipa’s husband, Ray, said that the kids couldn’t open presents until after breakfast so the boys were rushing us to finish. After breakfast Ray said that we needed to be dressed. Aaron, the ten year old said, “Emily would you go get dressed now…Hannah you too.” So we went to get dressed out of our pajamas.
Alemu and Israel were the first to open a present it was from our parents and to both of them. You should have seen their faces when they opened up the Spiderman movie trilogy. Alemu was trying to convince Israel that movies one and two were his and that the thrid was Israel’s. They didn’t want to watch anyone else open presents. Israel is getting more comfortable around me and he is also getting into everything. I have started calling him Curious George. They loved the Spiderman pajamas that they got from our parents. They each got a flashlight from Philipa and Ray…which they used last night during the power outage. I gave Alemu an Arsenal soccer ball and soccer socks and I gave Israel a Liverpool ball and soccer socks (I couldn’t find a Man. U. ball so I had to settle for Liverpool). They were excited about the soccer balls but they were ecstatic about the movies. After presents were over we played cricket…it’s actually a very fun game and similar to baseball. Israel was the best at batting but after two innings he lost interest and preferred the scooter. Alemu was the best at catching the ball and got Aaron out all three times. I didn’t do too bad myself. Lunch was so good. We had roasted chicken, stuffing, roasted carrots and potatoes, mashed potatoes, boiled green beans and carrots, fruit salad and soda. Hannah and I had gotten Ray a coffee set and Philipa had gotten him raw coffee beans. After lunch we tried to roast the coffee beans ourselves and make coffee like the Ethiopians do. We tried. It was so gross and watery. We had to leave after coffee to make it back to the house for a coffee ceremony. The ladies wanted to do something nice for Ilie and for me since it was our Christmas. When we arrived home there was a feast of snacks. They made popcorn, special bread, deep fried dough (kind of like a biscuit), some other type of dough snack, oranges and bananas. They even splurged and bought sodas for everyone. They had spent hours making everything but the celebration was cut short when Dereje and Alizare came to take Ilie to the airport. That night I called my parents and woke Israel and Alemu up so that they could talk to them. Well I tried to wake Alemu up but he just wanted to sleep. Israel on the other hand bounced out of bed and took the phone from me and said, “Hi Dad” That took me by surprise and I’m sure it shocked my dad as well.

#6 Kanesa Part III

So Thursday night around mid-night he was still throwing everything up. He looked really really bad so Tesfanesh told me to give him an injection of glucose. I did. I gave someone, for the first time, an injection. I was nervous while I did it because all the nannies and Ilie were watching me. I did an ok job at too. But it wasn’t enough so we ended up taking him to the hospital around 1am. The doctor ordered an IV and we started him on that. They took a blood sample as well as urine and stool samples. Tesfanesh had a cold so I told her to go back home and try to get some sleep while I stayed with him all night. I laid down around three but kept waking up because Kanesa was either thirsty or was trying to pull his IV out. I think we both slept about 2 hours that night…the same the night before. After the IV was done we went and saw the doctor again. He said that the fever and vomiting is caused by a virus, but since his spleen is enlarged and his neck has some stiffness he wants to do more tests for malaria and meningitis. So we went to get more blood work done…he is such a trooper he doesn’t cry at all when they prick his finger or give him a shot. The results came back as I expected negative for both, but the doctor was positive he had malaria and told us to come back when he had a fever. I said, “That’s it? You aren’t going to give him anything for the virus?” And then he wrote out a prescription for antibiotics, anti-vomiting, and iron drops because he is anemic. I was so mad and him and it was probably due to lack of sleep. We stopped by the pharmacy on the way home and got him all of the meds. He and I both slept the day away. When I got up at 5pm he was eating and looked so much better. I was kicking myself for not taking him sooner but we were told not to spend money when we don’t have it. He hates the flavor of the iron medicine and sometimes refuses to take it. I don’t blame him at all it’s gross. Saturday night came around and I was getting him ready for bed I noticed that he felt hot. I took his temp and he had a slight fever. I told Tesfanesh that we needed to go to the hospital right away. Alizare came an hour later and I took his temp in the car…it was below normal…but we were almost to the hospital. He got the blood work done and it showed up positive this time. He has malaria. I told Tesfanesh she was right. Luckily it is the easier of the two and we caught it in the early stage. It has been a week since we found out he has malaria and he is back to normal, although the virus has now spread to all the babies except three.

#5 Kanesa Part II

So it is Thursday night and he is still sick. He throws everything up. Sometimes he can get some water down but most of the time he is throwing up more than he takes in. Tomorrow we are going to give him some medicine that the Ethiopian nurse gave us. The medicine - which is supposed to be taken orally - will stop the vomiting. If he throws that up we have it in injection form. He is so skinny I told Philipa that we will have to put it in his butt because his arm is so small. If he is in really bad shape after the injection we are going to take him to the clinic and have an IV put in. If he is doing better tomorrow after the injection the nurse will bring an IV with her on Saturday morning. Hospitals are different here than in America…I would never send a child to one without knowing the doctor very well.

#4 Christmas

It doesn’t feel like Christmas is in a week. It probably is because the Ethiopian calendar is different that ours and so they don’t celebrate it until January 7th. Maybe it is because I don’t have any family here with me. Thanksgiving felt odd…I’m sure Christmas will feel the same. I decided that I am going to take all the kids to the movies for their Christmas present. They love watching movies on my computer and I can’t think of a better gift for all of them. I am going to have Christmas dinner with Philipa and her family. It won’t be the same but it will be good. I have started collecting Christmas gifts for my family although I’m not sure when they will be getting them. I got the best gifts for my sister and mom. I wish I could write it down but I know they read this. Maybe after they get it I will remember to write it down.

#3 And I Thought Los Angeles Was Bad

I know it’s a long title but I really thought that driving in Los Angeles was bad. It is nothing compared to Addis. Some of the roads have lines dividing it into lanes but no one stays in their own lane. There are few stop signs and stoplights…people just go and hope no one hits them. You have to look in all directions constantly. If you are a pedestrian you walk at your own risk - this includes sidewalks. There are cows, goats, and donkeys walking the streets that you have to watch out for as well. On Sunday I navigated the minibuses with Alemu and Israel to church. We had to cross two streets and Israel didn’t stay close enough and almost got hit by a car - luckily an older lady took his hand. Alemu didn’t go and had to wait on the other side until the car passed. The lady yelled at them to stay close to me. Hahahahaha. I told them that our mom would not be happy if they got hit by a minibus…I know they didn’t understand - but I think they got the point after we crossed again. Just so you know we made it to church on time (5 minutes early…sorry dad it’s not the typical 15 minutes) and back without an accident.

#2 Hallelujah...Amen

One Sunday afternoon little Eyob was outside and I swear he was leading church. He was under the laundry line with a tall laundry basket in front of him and the other kids on the other side of it. From my room I could hear him shouting “Hallelujah!” and the other kids shouting in response “Amen!” From then on you can hear almost every day one child saying “Hallelujah!” and everyone else shouts back “Amen!” One afternoon Eyob was leading “church” and Buzenesh (Lily’s mom who is not a Christian) started yelling at him to stop. He started preaching to her right there and then. Tesfanesh told me that he said that Jesus was his Father and that he wasn’t sad. Apparently I didn’t get the whole story as to why he said that but it doesn’t matter. It is a miracle that a 3 year old understands that. Buzenesh doesn’t tell the kids to stop anymore nor does she practice her religion. (I’m not sure what religion she was following but she couldn’t eat meat or drink milk on Wednesdays and Fridays.) One day while we were out in the field playing a small herd of cows came grazing our way and he called out very sincerely in Amharic, “In the name of Jesus leave.” They wandered away. Tesfanesh and I had a good laugh. I think he will be a great Evangelist when he is older.

#1 Special Plate and Cup

One of the children has HIV - I will call this child Morgan (a gender neutral name). I don’t treat Morgan any different because there really isn’t a need to. I knew Morgan had a special plate and cup but I didn’t really understand why. One night after the other kids went to bed little Eyob was still up and so I gave him some crystal light from my water bottle in a cup. He drank it and Zoudie said she wanted some so I poured some for her to try in the same cup - which he took upstairs to her. Hiwot came back down with the cup still full asking where I got the cup. “The cupboard of course.” “But this is Morgan’s.” “Oh sorry. It is clean though,” was my reply. “Yes but she is sick.” “You can’t get HIV from a cup.” Then it dawned on me…they think someone can get HIV from sharing a plate or cup. Then we had a lengthy HIV 101 discussion. Hiwot agrees that you cannot get HIV from a cup or plate yet she still brought down the full cup of juice. She says that the people who were born and raised in the villages still think this. Hiwot said that one time Morgan gave her a kiss on the mouth and she went and washed her mouth out. Really people? A kiss…that is preposterous. They should be more worried about getting Hepatitis A and B here than HIV.