Rock Star or Freak?

The 30 km drive from Woliso to Gindo was treacherous.  Definitely the most bumpy road I've ever been on.  It was hot and dusty, and there were tons of people and donkeys on the road as it was market day.

Donkeys on their way to the market.

The locals would recognize us as foreigners and were friendly and welcoming, always smiling and waving.  Kids came running out of nowhere yelling "Farengi Farengi!" which means foreigner.  

  

When we arrived in Gindo, as soon as we stepped out of the van the people gathered around us and stared.  Dr. Northcott said this is the closest we will get to feeling like a rock star.  I replied with:  "Yah, a rock star or a freak!".  The kids were eager to say hi, shake your hand, and make a new friend.

Welcome to Gindo!

Faisel and his friends greeting us at the van window.

We attracted quite a crowd.

We visited the site of a water project that will bring fresh water, pressurized, to several kebeles in the area (kebeles are small communities of about 5,000 people that were created in 1975 by Mengistu's Derg).

Base of the water source, still under construction.

In Gindo, the Canadian Humanitarian project is called BEKA.  Originally there were 20 students in the program, and it has since grown to 50 children.  As a result - the BEKA center is too small and a new facility is required.  Canadian Humanitarian is funding and coordinating the construction of a new, much needed education center.

CHOIR:  Canadian Humanitarian Organization for International Relief

The new facility is made of concrete, and the foundation has been poured.  I watched the workers make the pillars that will support the roof.  The foundation had rebar in place for all the pillars.  The workers then built a wooden template around the rebar.  The template was held in place by ladders and supports, also made of wood. 

Foundations and pillars made of concrete and rebar.

They crushed rock on site and mixed it with cement and water in a cement mixer.  The team passed buckets of concrete up to a person at the top of the wooden template, and he poured the cement into the cavity filled with rebar.  Once the entire cavity was filled, they used a long vibrating pole to squish out all the air bubbles and to make the cement settle. 

Hauling the crushed rock.

Assembly line for pouring cement into the top of the pillar template.

They were also digging a 4 meter deep hole for the latrine.  The workers did all the digging by hand with shovel and pick axe.  The soil is so hard and compact, that shoring of the hole was not required.  This latrine is critical as having separated toilets for boys and girls will help keep the girls enrolled in school.

A team of hard working men, in the heat and without footwear.

I cannot wait to watch the progress of the BEKA center construction on the website:  www. canadianhumanitarian.com.