So its been a long time. I know. But now I’m back in Addis, after two wonderful but short weeks in the US, and back at it again.
I did get to use my Amharic a bit when back in the States. In fact, I was using it within 15 minutes of my arrival—at the Starbucks in Dulles, on the strange 4-wheeled transport vehicles and walking down the terminal. I’d never really appreciated it before, but on this visit to DC, I heard Amharic spoken everyday and could recognize Ethiopians all over the city. Many friends in Addis have family in DC and many more want to be there themselves. They say it’s the second biggest Ethiopian city in the world. Every Ethiopian I talked to was excited to chat about the country and my time there, everyone except one waitress at an Ethiopian restaurant, she ignored me all together, but still one rebuff isn’t too bad.
Addis is about the same as I left it. The mangy dog that lives at my house is mangier than I remember him and the weather seems even better than before, but I think I was just deceived on both counts. The wind has picked up and there’s more moisture in the air. Walking around the city this morning, the wind had blown away the smog and the mountains surrounding the city were crystal clear.
The day after I returned, Ethiopia celebrated Ge’na, or Ethiopian Christmas. This helped to ensure that if I didn’t get enough cheesy Christmas music while back home, in the end I received more than my fair share. Most Ethiopians spend Ge’na with their family, and I was lucky enough to spend it with my good friend Biniyam and his family. Today, just a couple weeks later, is Timket, when the Ethiopian Orthodox Church celebrates Epiphany. The representation of the Arc of the Covenant from each Orthodox church is escorted to a central location, and then back to the church the next day. The procession is full of music, colors, and crowd control. So, in review, its been an extra long holiday season.
Work has been busy since I’ve returned. We hosted a leadership program, facilitated by the Center for Creative Leadership, for over 60 local leaders and we’ve been working hard to identify a social investment opportunity. We’re forging new ground for the organization on this front, but I really do believe in this type of development. Identify your targeted outputs, find the people making change in those arenas, and empower them to do more. It sounds simple, but nothing ever is. Nonetheless, I recognize that I have little expertise. The best thing I can do is try to find the smartest people with the best ideas and the most realistic plans for success, and to invest in them and their organizations by marshalling resources from the US. I may not have the expertise, but I do have the ability to help Ethiopian entrepreneurs do more, and to me, that may be the best way I can help.
One thing I have learned is that giving is not easy. Ethiopia has been one of the largest recipients of Western aid money over the years, and I have encountered some serious dependency issues during my time here. The famines in Ethiopia attracted international concern, and marked one of the first instances in which pop culture (actors, musicians, etc.) turned its attention to Africa. Even on the micro level, I’ve met people who feel that they live only by the grace of other’s generosity and handouts, even when I’m humbled by their hard work and creativity. With so much scarcity for so long, its understandable why some will take what they can get, when they can get it. And with uncertain economic, social and political conditions, its also understandable why some might be less inclined to invest toward the future. Still, to the greatest degree possible, I think it is critical to invest beneficiaries in the work being done, to demand accountability, and to encourage seizing opportunity and preparing for a better future. But there are so many sad stories, and its hard to think about accountability when a mother in tattered clothes dangles her malnourished child in your car window. I guess you just do the best you can.
