Before the rest of my post, I just have a quick story that made my day... So about 2 months ago, right as I was getting into bed I hear a ruckus outside my door as two of my compound brothers scrambled around sounding like they were whacking at something with a broom. When I stuck my head out the window to see what was going on, everyone yelled at me to stay inside and not too worry; they got it. 'It', they told me the next morning was called "tefiek'" in Tigrinya, and other than 'it runs very fast' and 'is very scary' I never really found out what it was. (I paranoid for weeks that it was the notorious camel spider.... literally the scariest thing I've ever seen)
This evening, I hear them calling my name, so I poke my head out the door to see what they need; they are nervously beckoning me to come down and away from my house as fast as I can... so, I come down, and ask whats up. "There's a 'tafiek' on your house!!!" and the two boys with big sticks and scarfs wrapped around their noses and mouths start creeping towards my stairs. I, however, was curious and said I was going with them ('NO!'- one of my compound sisters) we get up there, and lo and behold, the terifying 'tafiek', is none other than a gecko. I felt bad afterwards, but I laughed outloud when I saw him and told them not to hurt him. They looked at me as if I were crazy: "but he'll crawl up your nose!" Again, I laughed and said I'd take my chances... After a serious debate on whether or not the gecko (who has been living here for a while, I named him Waldo about 3 weeks ago) would indeed crawl up my nose if they didnt kill him, they let him live. It's amazing that something I've always grown up as seeing so harmless and cute is something they are terrified of- it's very interesting how culture and stories can sway your belief into thinking something so harmless is so scary. I supose we do the same thing in the U.S.. Do earwigs really crawl up your ears? Are mice really that scary? yech, or cockroaches? I guess I can't laugh to hard.
Anyway, moving on to more serious subjects. A few weeks ago Peace Corps posted on the web my high school’s Environmental club well project! I am so excited to get this project underway and start working with these students, but, we can't get started until the project is fully funded. I know it is a lot to ask of you all back home, especially when I've done one of these Peace Corps Partnership Projects before while back in Niger and asked everyone for donations then too, but if there is any way you are able to donate, even a small amount we would really appreciate it!! These kids are so excited for this chance to make a difference at there school and in their communities; we really could use your help!
So, with that said, I would like to tell you a little more about our project:
The Frewoyni High School is only one of 3 schools in the Woreda (district), which means we have anywhere from 1600 to 3000 students each year- and not enough teachers for such a large student body! This results in class sizes of at least 80 students, and only a half day of school for each. Because of the difficulties they’re facing, areas such as environmental education and student clubs often get overlooked and receive little to no support.
One of these areas is Environmental Education and the Environmental Club: The current Environmental club, consisting of 100 students and two voluntary advisors, eagerly meet on a regular basis for discussion, but lack the funding and water source to establish any projects. The students met at the end of the previous school year and enthusiastically discussed the desire to start a garden and tree nursery in the school grounds. This requires the construction of a well and hand pump, which will make possible club activity and participation not only for this coming school year, but several years to come.
So, that being said, our objectives for this project are to first, construct a well and hand-pump and second, establish a garden and tree nursery site. Through meeting twice a week and spending a little time after school each day, students will gain valuable knowledge in vegetable and tree varieties, receive hands on experience in tree planting, and learn new techniques such as pit composting and drip-irrigation systems. Our goal is that students will not only gain and share their new hands-on skills and knowledge, but will also assume ownership in their work by taking seedlings and container gardens home with them to plant and share in their communities.
Anyone who has been to Tigray, Ethiopia, would tell you that Deforestation is a major problem and has tragically transformed the land from the lush forest that it was so many years ago. Little hints of forest land still remain here and there reminding what it once was. Ask any farmer in our woreda and they will tell you stories of the wildlife and the forests of when they were younger: they will tell you the land was more fertile, that crops grew better, and that they received more rain. Yes, our goal to teach students tree varieties and how to plant, but beyond that we hope to create awareness of the deforestation and food security problems: how individuals can provide food security for their families while still maintaining and taking pride in the surrounding forest land. By teaching these students and giving them hands on experience, they can bring their knowledge back home and make a difference in their communities all around the Woreda.
If you are able to help us out, even a little, we would truly appreciate it! To donate, follow this link: https://donate.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=donate.contribute.projDetail&projdesc=663-028 or go to www.peacecorps.gov/donate, and search for ‘Peatross’, or the project number 663-028.
የከንየልና! Please spread the word to anyone you know that might be interested in helping us out! Thank you all!!
