Today was the last day of my observations as well as the last day we see Hareg. It was a busy day, Miskaye Hizunan School visits in the morning followed by a visit to the Entoto Vocational and Technical Training College.

It was so fun to see a wood shop for the first time while in Addis! Wood shops and metal fabrication shops, electronics shops and a campus teaming with technology education. The students ranged from 16 to 20s, the youngest are from the ‘drop outs’ of gr 10. It was a good way to end this three week learning experience and renewed my hope that maybe one day technology education will be brought into the high schools of Addis.

I took the mini buses this morning to school and thought, this is the last time. It made the daily grind of vocal harassment from a particular group of street youths seem slightly less repugnant. When I entered the AAU for the last time, I was happy to receive a bag check and interrogation from the guard, knowing I would never be so sceptically viewed as some sort of insurgent in the University. I had a delicious traditional coffee at the local coka tent, and observed my last class at Miskaye Hizunan. It was a day full of last times. Saddest amongst all was bidding Hareg farewell, though not as sad as it could be as we are probably seeing her in Canada before too long.

We are spending our last night in the guest house tonight. Tomorrow (Friday) we are running some errands before we head to the airport in the evening. Our flight leaves Saturday morning at 2am. Same deal as before, Addis to Heathrow, Heathrow to Los Angeles and then LA to Vancouver. Arrival is scheduled for Saturday at 6pm (we gain a day).

Great trip, great people.

So as I was told when I first arrived, gr.10 and 12 students are gone because of exams (previously mentioned, students that perform poorly go to vocational colleges). So, today I observed a gr.11 English class as well as a gr.1 and 2 English class. I think I am correct in thinking that after passing their gr.10 exams, these gr.11 are more mature and have a sense of the reality of needing to succeed in their studies. As rarely found in high school in my experience, these students take the responsibility of their schooling seriously. These students have business ambitions, they soak up all they can from the resources at the school that they only have available for one more year.

So, this English class was a little rowdy as I walked into the class, but I was not prepared to have them settle down after a quiet tap from their teacher’s chalk on his desk. That is one thing I have noticed, the teachers never speak above a level voice, not even in a peaceful heightened volume. I think that teachers are used to a certain respect from the students, above and beyond anything I have seen in Canada. I have seen a Ethiopian teacher hush a class in seconds by a wave of his hand. Impressive, eh. I wouldn’t be honest if I didn’t mention that I have also seen a teacher exasperated with the chattiness of his class and look like he was going to hit something. The last situation is my fault for being a disturbance in the classroom by merely being present.

In each English class, it seems to be a common thing to have a question time where the students get time to practice English by asking me questions. The questions vary, but so far the common theme seems to be, “can you give us advice of how to succeed in our studies?” followed by “is Canada cold?”.

I visited a gr1/2 class as well and it was not what I had expected. This has probably been one of my favorite classes to observe. What a little bunch of happy beings, so attentive to their teacher. They had a hard time staying seated in their desks for want to jump up and see the Faranji, but once I was seated in the back of the class, very few of them turned around. Their teacher was so amazing with them. The teacher was teaching an English lesson with them. She was writing and explaining (in total English and the students totally understood) the difference on what you ‘like’ and ‘don’t like’. The students all had their hands up and took turns: “I like Pepsi, BUT I don’t like lemons!” usually followed by giggles from the agreeing students. Very few fans of lemons I have found. 

I saw these classes back to back so my notes are blended. There wasn’t much difference between these two classes. I have found that gr.11 students are old enough to continue in a normal manner, and the younger students are still used to obeying their teachers. Gr.8 and 9, not so much. Understandable, all things considered.

A foreigner in the class is a difficult thing for these younger secondary students to accept. It seems to be quite hilarious for them. Math was a great example of excited students. They were pretty good during their teacher’s lesson, which implemented the chalk board, a technology that is wonderfully implemented. Teachers here are wizards on the chalkboards. It’s like watching a painter. Their letters are cursive, clear, and perfectly perpendicular.

Classes in secondary level are meant to be taught in English, and I was surprised that for the most part they have been. I think that I hear a bit more English for my benefit, but students at the secondary level are proficient at writing and reading English (no doubt du to their devoted note taking skills). Speaking English is another thing, but I am impressed with students’ willingness to communicate in English.

In each of my observations I am seated in the back of the class (usually displacing one poor student). This does not seem to stop students from being able to stare at the Faranji (a word that all white foreigners know too well). I have been extremely thankful for those teachers that welcome me into their class, because they know the students will be too rambunctious to actually stay on task (again this is mostly for the gr 8/9 classes I have observed).

My first two in class observations was for a repeating block of ITC 11. Students were working on a variety of projects mainly with word and excel. I was not sure what to expect as far as the computer situation. When I walked into the lab I saw about 20 computers (the large desktop monitors that are almost extinct) for a class of about 40 students. No internet. The ITC teacher was wearing plaid, which I appreciated, because ITC is the closest thing to tech-ed Addis has. Represent. 

Miskaye Hizunan School during down pour.

Students were memorizing computer anatomy and creating a visual display to use for their exams. This class differed from the classes I have previously seen, it had the “elective’ feel to it. Students were more relaxed, laughing and not too concerned with staying on task. It was a great class to see in action. I was telling the teacher that when I taught my Graphic design and Drafting classes in my practicum (also in a computer lab) how it was a challenge to get students to stay on task and not game or be on social media. Something was lost in communication and he proceeded to tell the students to “now play games!” I was shown all the cool games like, chess, pinball, games restricted by no internet access. Students enjoyed the class.

Gr.12 students take a sort of “graphic design” class where they learn some coding (C++). Students also do some website design for the school.

We got sun burnt, but it was superb. And we saw a monkey.

On the whole, our first week was full of learning experiences. Adjusting to the time difference, which is almost exactly 12 hours ahead, was like a tiresome shadow over us. On top of the difference in education, there is the extreme cultural and societal norms that are totally new to us.

Not surprisingly, Technology Education is not a subject here. I discovered that AAU (University of Addis) had thought that I was an IT teacher. The push to get technology into the schools is a hot topic here, just like in Canada. Where does technology belong in the classroom? What are the benefits, what are the drawbacks? Fear of western assimilation is palatable, and an honest desire to preserve their rich language and traditions is evident. Ethiopia is one of the only African countries that was not colonized (discounting a 5 year stint by the Italians,1936-1941 by Mussolini. The Second World War brought the British in to fight the Italians and liberate Ethiopia). The Italian influence left behind the macchiato, pizza and the farewell greeting of chow!

In Ethiopia, students that do poorly in their gr.10 exams go to community trade colleges, or internships where they can learn how to be a hair dresser or a carpenter (not limited to those two but you get the idea). Students who do well on their gr.10 exams proceed to gr 11. Once in gr.12, students are subjected to another battery of tests and the students that perform well can go to post secondary.

By observation, educational initiatives difficult to implement because of the need to re-adjusted for each region, with their own language and their own micro societies. Careful research designed to preserve these cultures is always in the peripheral. Literature provided for students in Addis may be offensive or simply doesn’t relate to those in Oromiya. Students seem to be happy to be in school. When discussing with Dr.Asselin (and some faculty from the College of Education) about early childhood literacy, many people were invested in documenting stories told by their ancestors, what the purpose of those stories are, and what stories to include. The politics of creating appropriate material for students became evident. This issue couldn’t help but remind me of First Nations situation in Canada. They have many languages that are becoming extinct for lack of speakers and many other reasons. Just as they are doing here, there seems to require extensive research as to the appropriate course of action. The problem there ensues; some of these issues cannot wait.

Gates into Addis Ababa University

We were invited by Hareg and Gesh to come to their house for a traditional Ethiopian lunch and coffee ceremony. What a great couple. Marlene arrived yesterday at 2 am and still found the energy to wine and dine with us. It was a great day, and during the 20 minutes I was in the sun I got a sun burn, of course it began to rain shortly afterwards.

The meal was unbelievable. Best meal we have had in Ethiopia so far, and Mitch and I agree, probably the best we will ever have here. Great conversation was to be had concerning technology in education and where it intertwines with literacy. Marlene and Hareg are quite the researchers. I enjoyed gleaning insight from their experienced perceptions as I sat and played “painting nails” with Hareg’s next door neighbour. (sweet heart in the yellow dress) who called Hareg ‘Mamma’.

Mitchell was a gallant gentleman and finished my wine for me, along with the numerous samples of different Ethiopian beverages that Gesh so graciously offered us to taste. “We are not drinking!” Gesh stated with glee “we are sampling!” Who could argue with that.

We had a meeting with the Dean of the College of Education, and so as we walked through the Addis campus came across this large tortoise sitting contentedly on the road. He seemed unperturbed by the general commotion of passers by and soon began to trudge along to find some grass to munch. Mitchell got a great video of the turtle. It was great. Apparently there are three tortoises on campus that surface every now and then.

On the weekend we visited St.Georges Cathedral, hiked up mount Entoto (12k…UPHILL….and of course poured cats and dogs on the way down). We also got invited by some locals for coffee which turned out to be something very different indeed..but a great time! New experiences, haha.

I look forward to tomorrow. Harag and myself are meeting at the University and then going to Miskaye Hizunan to touch base. After that we head back to the university to hear Marlene give a presentation. (I am giving a presentation on Friday about the model of Inquiry and Technology Education). After lunch we are off to some local public schools! Quite a fun packed day.

Amharic word count up to 6. Feeling pretty good.

This is the traditional restaurant that we have been visiting for our daily meal. The above platter including soft drinks and coffee costs 120Bir (7$) for both of us. Very happy to have found this great place.

We were invited by a local guy named Jacob, who really wanted to invite us to coffee with him and his pal Adis who is currently in his teaching practicum at the University of Addis. Anyways, we ended up hanging out with them for a few hours while a thunderstorm rolled into the streets. The storm showed no signs of abating so we ran home in the pouring cold rain. We got many laughs from locals. Many of them singing and chanting us a steady pace as we ran smiling and waving.

Lovely Hareg and amazing Mitchell after our trip to the Mercato. We had a lovely combination of guava, papaya and avocado juice here. 

This is the view from our guest house room overlooking black lion hospital.

Mitchell journalling by candlelight and cell light.

We woke up this morning to a large group of people all chattering at breakfast. There are so many people coming and going from this SIM guesthouse (Originally Sudan Interior Mission now stands for Service in Missions). Most guests seem to be foreign missionaries working all over Ethiopia who come to Addis to fly home or update their visas. During our meals we find ourselves chatting with people from all over the world. Among them there have been 2 doctors from Norway, an Australian English teacher, a Korean principal, a missionary couple from the UK, and today 2 Canadians (Winnipeg and Vancouver) and a few Americans.

Hareg, our faithful guide and mother hen, came to the guesthouse this morning and we transited to the mercato, Africa’s largest open market (ouuuu). This walkabout was tiring and stimulating at the same time. The task of friendly dismissing vendors and minding our surroundings for pickpockets was not particularly pleasant. Once time had passed and we had become accustomed to the busy happenings, we began to ease our vigilant awareness and enjoy the market. Goats of all kinds, chickens with their legs tied in bundles still looking around, donkeys carrying large bags of cereals and packs of semi-domestic dogs tipped the market over the edge into the realm of medieval fiction.

Without Hareg, we would never have had such a pleasant time avoiding getting charged quadruple Bir because we are foreigners. We did come away with some treasures of incense, Berbere spice, and honey wine.