A few years ago a former TDA rider started an organization to raise money for school uniforms for a school in Gonder. This school is for kids from low income families, and as I understand it, if the family can’t afford to buy a uniform, the child is prevented from going to school. I was lucky enough to be able to attend the ceremony where the uniforms, along with backpacks filled with pens and pencils were handed out. I don’t know the ages of the kids, but they appeared to be between about 5 and 15 or 16. Many of the older kids were attending school for the first time, having been needed to work to help their family previously. If my donation helps to educate even 1 child, it pays off in spades as far as I’m concerned.
We were also treated to a traditional dance and a coffee ceremony, which involved a woman roasting the beans, grinding them, then serving us fresh coffee along with popcorn and a cookie. It was a real treat – a coffee ceremony is for special occasions. Coffee is grown quite cheaply mostly south of Addis Abeba, but because of world supply and market prices, it is too expensive for most Ethiopians to drink very often. Meanwhile, I used to think nothing of sitting in Starbucks or the like drinking $4.00 Americano’s.
Here are some pics!
NolaOn2Wheels 
Enjoying following your trip. Nearly every word evokes memories. I can feel both the pain and the pleasure – so much easier to do that itting in comfort in Canada, sipping a coke and contemplating a shower. You’re doing great work.
Rae
Hi Rae. I thought I had replied to this earlier, but I can’t seem to find it! Anyway, so nice to hear from you! Thanks for following my blog. I think of you and Ursula often and have pictured you many times doing the same thing I’m doing. Thanks so much for your support. I hope we can catch up when I’m back
Nola-I loved your pictures from your time with the kids getting their uniforms! This whole trip certainly puts things in perspective! Wow no more going to Starbucks without thinking of your pics! As I told Gizele I still have not committed to a stage. Frankly I don’t know if I could do it! I have been sick a couple of times in the past 6 weeks and I can’t imagine going through this in Africa. What do you think-if you knew before signing up what you know now (and you were me) what would you do???? Sharon