Sylvia's Journal

It’s July 2nd in Addis, Tessa’s birthday. Back home she still has to sleep through the night before the festivities start. It was 24 years ago that Tessa arrived amidst the smoke of the burned croissants in the locked oven of the Beverly Birth Center! Congratulations dearest Tessa, you are nearly a quarter century old.

July began with rain, just as in Massachusetts. All those low clouds were beginning to get to me but the clouds lifted and we saw sun and blue sky for the first time in days.

Just when we were ready to celebrate the completion of the training of trainers and move into the implementation phase with the first important meeting on Friday, we received word that the whole program in Oromia region was off. ‘Sorry, not a good time,’ said some underling on orders from up high.

We sent a heavy delegation to the health office to inquire and find out what was behind this order. But the underling didn’t know much and the bosses were in meetings. We don’t known whether the program is postponed or cancelled altogether.

This surprise came after countless inquiries months ago to make sure the timing was right. One of the things we (the foreigners) learned is that this period is the end of fiscal year and therefore planning (and spending budget leftovers) time. You’d think that that could have been known some time ago. There are also other events organized by other agencies. This is where we trip over each other.

The disappointment also provided an opportunity to experience the first workshop together, in Amhara, rather than in two parallel teams. It is a nice idea in theory but not everyone can be there on time because the planes and hotels are fully booked as it’s graduation week at the University in Bahir Dar. Nothing is going to be easy.

Liz has decided to go home – she was supposed to coach the team in Oromia and we don’t need three coaches in Amhara. This works out well for her because she’s needed back home. I will miss her, not just for sharing the spa experience on Saturday (male colleagues are not so much into spas), but also because I would like to hand over some of my work to her as I clean my desk for Afghanistan.