Wednesday January 19th, 2011 DAY ELEVEN
RAE Daily Update; posted by Bill Palladino, Executive Director of On the Ground
I am blessed in having a relationship with an eight year old boy who allows me once a night to read with him. Of late we've been deeply immersed in the Percy Jackson series by Rich Riordan. Percy you see is the son of Poseidon... an honest to goodness demigod.... and he travels among other Olympic Gods and monsters every day. By now you know that my mind wanders in such ways. So, it won't surprise you that over the past two weeks, each time I opened that book to read to this young boy about heroic feats and impossible quests, I tended to reflect upon my friends across the ocean in Ethiopia. Granted, our crew are all adults, and as far as I know none of them are carrying around a magic sword shaped like a pen that always finds its way back to their pockets. But they are nonetheless heroes in my eyes.
This thing we've all just accomplished, it didn't involve slaying monsters, or bargaining with the offspring of Gods and wood nymphs, but it did send a group of individuals on a seemingly undoable task. And, as promised, not only have they surpassed expectations, they have all been changed a bit by the experience. By Gods! I think there might be a book in there somewhere.
Today's posts from Ethiopia were filled top to bottom with the awe of adventure. The Run Across Ethiopia team never anticipated the level of gratitude they would find in the small village of Hase Gola. This is the town where On The Ground will build one of our schools, and here the people of the Ethiopian highlands streamed into this community from all directions until they numbered in the thousands to greet, and thank, and celebrate with our team. Our partners in this school project, the Oromia Coffee Farmers Cooperative Union (OCFCU) organized the festivities and through our heroes the equivalent of a ticker tape parade.
I'll let Hans Voss start us off.
This thing we've all just accomplished, it didn't involve slaying monsters, or bargaining with the offspring of Gods and wood nymphs, but it did send a group of individuals on a seemingly undoable task. And, as promised, not only have they surpassed expectations, they have all been changed a bit by the experience. By Gods! I think there might be a book in there somewhere.
I'll let Hans Voss start us off.
"The biggest lessons though have come from the Ethiopian people. They are so warm, kind, and genuine. Glowing smiles. Pure joy. So many Ethiopians have cheered us on. There’s nothing better than when we run by a small hut in the countryside, those inside notice our presence, and then bolt out with arms waving, eyes wide open, and love in their hearts.
Yesterday, we visited the community where construction has begun on one of the schools the RAE donors have made possible. It was as powerful a human experience as I have ever had: the gratitude of about a few thousand people flowing endlessly toward us. 10 runners, a number of crucial role players, and over 700 donors have made a huge impact for thousands of people in this community — and all they wanted to say was thank you.
As I watched their faces, I was struck with how we are much more alike than we are different. Just like us, they work hard, do what they can for their children, contribute to their community. It does not matter how much we own or how much money we make, what ties us together – what makes us human – is something much more important than that. Frankly, I am not sure exactly what that is, but I know it has something to do with our how we reach out to each other with love, no matter how different our cultures may be. That love binds us together. That love is something I believe in."
Seth Bernard and May Erlewine, as our cultural ambassadors, played a crucial role in the day's events and had this to report.
Hase Gola, Ethiopia
The site of the first RAE sponsored school.
"As we stepped out of our bus after 30 minutes of off road driving, we were greeted by 900 singing, dancing, clapping and smiling Ethiopians from the first community where a school is being build as a result of our collective efforts. Our senses were wrapped in soulful celebration. Our hearts exploded. Tears streamed down our cheeks. It was a peak experience. Humbling and heavenly. There are no words, images or instruments to measure or convey the power of these people. Such heart, such strength, such beauty. I have not felt so alive since I was a boy. The spokesman from the community got on the loudspeaker and thanked us not only for paying a fair trade price for their coffee, but for helping their children and they saw this as a sign of deep respect and friendship. We were such lucky Americans to receive this love on behalf of the hundreds and hundreds of Americans who have supported this incredible effort. We share it with all of you. We Americans are in need of meaning, of fulfilling work, or real community. We have found it all here and it is yours, too. Hallelujah! Amen. "
Click the image below to see the team's entrance into Hase Gola, or click this link http://onthegroundglobal.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e86f86882c25bcdcfe0bda552&id=9c05b3298f&e=7b6f7ef5c1
Seth Bernard and May Erlewine, as our cultural ambassadors, played a crucial role in the day's events and had this to report.
Hase Gola, Ethiopia
The site of the first RAE sponsored school.
"As we stepped out of our bus after 30 minutes of off road driving, we were greeted by 900 singing, dancing, clapping and smiling Ethiopians from the first community where a school is being build as a result of our collective efforts. Our senses were wrapped in soulful celebration. Our hearts exploded. Tears streamed down our cheeks. It was a peak experience. Humbling and heavenly. There are no words, images or instruments to measure or convey the power of these people. Such heart, such strength, such beauty. I have not felt so alive since I was a boy. The spokesman from the community got on the loudspeaker and thanked us not only for paying a fair trade price for their coffee, but for helping their children and they saw this as a sign of deep respect and friendship. We were such lucky Americans to receive this love on behalf of the hundreds and hundreds of Americans who have supported this incredible effort. We share it with all of you. We Americans are in need of meaning, of fulfilling work, or real community. We have found it all here and it is yours, too. Hallelujah! Amen. "Click the image below to see the team's entrance into Hase Gola, or click this link http://onthegroundglobal.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e86f86882c25bcdcfe0bda552&id=9c05b3298f&e=7b6f7ef5c1
And Dena Piecuch, our Charleston, SC city police officer provided us with a thoughtful contribution.
"We are in Yirgacheffe. It almost doesn’t feel real. I feel like we have just started but i know my weary body tells me otherwise. We did 12 miles today to get here and tomorrow’s 6 miles is looked at with a pretty light hearted fun run mentality. The running is over? Yes. But the help isn’t. The things I have experienced and the people I have met here have touched my heart in a long term kind of way. The people of Ethiopia are the kindest, warmest, people I have ever met. Even though I am un able to speak to most of them, we make an instant bond with a silent communication. They are just so appreciative of us and what we are trying to do and have already done for them. They speak hugely, with no comprehend able words actually spoken. My only hope is that the Run Across Ethiopia has created an awareness and by that awareness we are able to pull together and continue, long after the run, to help one another."Amalia, our environmental art educator sent another beautiful post, excerpted here:
"People love to smile. People love to laugh. People love to dance. People love to love and to be loved. I have never felt more loved than I have in the last few days of traveling across rural Southern Ethiopia. A smile and a wave can mean so much, to those that have so little. How excited they are, just to know that we care about them, just to have a momentary reprieve from the tasks of everyday survival. Many have never seen a person with a different skin tone, and how glad I am that their first impression is that of friendliness and compassion. We can both stare at each other in intense curiosity, but when we add a smile, the whole dynamic changes. There is nothing like a true and genuine smile to let you know that love is involved.
Today, we were greeted by thousands of people from the community of Hase Gola to thank us for raising money to build them a much needed school. As we walked off the bus, the smiling faces surrounded us and lined the streets, clapping, singing, laughing, and beaming with an excitement that is so difficult to describe in words. We walked through the crowds as policemen kept those singing, smiling people back and settled ourselves in the middle of a circle of thousands of expectant eyes. Speeches commenced as the crowd sat to listen to thank you's, prayers answered, dreams realized, goals yet to achieve, and accomplishments in progress. Children watched from the tree branches as hundreds upon hundreds of faces clapped, cheered, and emulated gratefulness. Behind us sat the ongoing construction of a school that these runners had worked so hard to help build. The school will educate 480 children in two shifts each day, affecting a total of 8,700 people in the community when all of the people in their families are included.
We toured the current school house, tiny rooms with cracked floors and little furniture, it was hard to imagine that these rooms accommodate 90 children at a time. The children that can't fit have to walk a half an hour to another crowded school. That is, if their family can afford a notebook and lunches, and if they want an education, and the possibility of secondary school remains dim. There are no bathrooms, no running water, no electricity and tiny windows, It is hot, dark, and crowded, yet math problems cover the chalkboards and children fight for the opportunity to become educated and the chance to improve their quality of life. The people in this community are in dire need of education, health care, and drinking water (there is a 3 hour walk to the nearest water fresh enough to drink). And what do they do for a living? They grow our coffee, our fair trade, organic coffee that we pay top price for. Yet, no matter how much we pay, such a small percentage goes to the grower and his family. If you would like more information about the issues of the coffee growing region of Southern Ethiopia and what is being done about it, please watch the film Black Gold, available on netflix: http://www.blackgoldmovie.com "
Finally, I'd like to introduce you to Stella. She's the daughter of Timothy (RAE team leader) and Kathy Young.
"I would just like to explain yesterdays crowds when we went to the community. When we first got there people were lined up on the side of this dirt track,I felt like I was in a parade , people were cheering, singing, and dancing. Then they brought us to a field were they brought us the actual desks that they the might actually sit in at the new school. At first in the field a person from the community was talking to us about how grateful they were that we were here. A man named Tedesse translated what the man was saying. Then Chris got up and talked for a little bit then my dad got up and spoke. After that they took us into a school room and fed us beef with rolls,the cow that we ate was killed and prepared that morning and was very tasty. But before we ate I felt like i was in a circus because I started doing cartwheels in front of some kids, then more kids came then more came. I did a few cartwheels then a few kids started doing their own tricks, like walking on their hands, then a few kids tried to doing cartwheels. Kind of going back to the field part, there were kids in the trees, like high in the trees. While I as doing cartwheels a teenage boy came up and kicked a donkey because they thought the donkey was to close to me , but I didn't think it was very funny. Sincerely, Stella."
"People love to smile. People love to laugh. People love to dance. People love to love and to be loved. I have never felt more loved than I have in the last few days of traveling across rural Southern Ethiopia. A smile and a wave can mean so much, to those that have so little. How excited they are, just to know that we care about them, just to have a momentary reprieve from the tasks of everyday survival. Many have never seen a person with a different skin tone, and how glad I am that their first impression is that of friendliness and compassion. We can both stare at each other in intense curiosity, but when we add a smile, the whole dynamic changes. There is nothing like a true and genuine smile to let you know that love is involved.
Today, we were greeted by thousands of people from the community of Hase Gola to thank us for raising money to build them a much needed school. As we walked off the bus, the smiling faces surrounded us and lined the streets, clapping, singing, laughing, and beaming with an excitement that is so difficult to describe in words. We walked through the crowds as policemen kept those singing, smiling people back and settled ourselves in the middle of a circle of thousands of expectant eyes. Speeches commenced as the crowd sat to listen to thank you's, prayers answered, dreams realized, goals yet to achieve, and accomplishments in progress. Children watched from the tree branches as hundreds upon hundreds of faces clapped, cheered, and emulated gratefulness. Behind us sat the ongoing construction of a school that these runners had worked so hard to help build. The school will educate 480 children in two shifts each day, affecting a total of 8,700 people in the community when all of the people in their families are included.
We toured the current school house, tiny rooms with cracked floors and little furniture, it was hard to imagine that these rooms accommodate 90 children at a time. The children that can't fit have to walk a half an hour to another crowded school. That is, if their family can afford a notebook and lunches, and if they want an education, and the possibility of secondary school remains dim. There are no bathrooms, no running water, no electricity and tiny windows, It is hot, dark, and crowded, yet math problems cover the chalkboards and children fight for the opportunity to become educated and the chance to improve their quality of life. The people in this community are in dire need of education, health care, and drinking water (there is a 3 hour walk to the nearest water fresh enough to drink). And what do they do for a living? They grow our coffee, our fair trade, organic coffee that we pay top price for. Yet, no matter how much we pay, such a small percentage goes to the grower and his family. If you would like more information about the issues of the coffee growing region of Southern Ethiopia and what is being done about it, please watch the film Black Gold, available on netflix: http://www.blackgoldmovie.com " Finally, I'd like to introduce you to Stella. She's the daughter of Timothy (RAE team leader) and Kathy Young.
"I would just like to explain yesterdays crowds when we went to the community. When we first got there people were lined up on the side of this dirt track,I felt like I was in a parade , people were cheering, singing, and dancing. Then they brought us to a field were they brought us the actual desks that they the might actually sit in at the new school. At first in the field a person from the community was talking to us about how grateful they were that we were here. A man named Tedesse translated what the man was saying. Then Chris got up and talked for a little bit then my dad got up and spoke. After that they took us into a school room and fed us beef with rolls,the cow that we ate was killed and prepared that morning and was very tasty. But before we ate I felt like i was in a circus because I started doing cartwheels in front of some kids, then more kids came then more came. I did a few cartwheels then a few kids started doing their own tricks, like walking on their hands, then a few kids tried to doing cartwheels. Kind of going back to the field part, there were kids in the trees, like high in the trees. While I as doing cartwheels a teenage boy came up and kicked a donkey because they thought the donkey was to close to me , but I didn't think it was very funny. Sincerely, Stella."
By the way, the Percy Jackson books are worth the read, but they can't hold a candle to these average Joes and Janes. One more day with a very short, mostly ceremonial, run ahead. Then our team begins their long journey home. Stay tuned for more information on a big celebration here in Michigan sometime in February when you'll get to hear some of Seth and May's new songs create in Ethiopia.
Please remember these are only excerpts of posts that our team has provided us. All of these people represent the heart of the Run Across Ethiopia, those of us still back in the States are proud of how they serve our mission. To read full-length stories posted by our RAE Team members please visit our blog pages at http://onthegroundglobal.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e86f86882c25bcdcfe0bda552&id=def8d49bbb&e=7b6f7ef5c1
Remember too that you can follow us on Facebook and on Twitter where we post frequent, if short, snippets about the adventure.
If you want to see our stream of photos as they arrive you can go to the website (see below) or go right to our Flickr Photostream using the link below. http://onthegroundglobal.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e86f86882c25bcdcfe0bda552&id=0bf7e037f7&e=7b6f7ef5c1
If you want to see our stream of photos as they arrive you can go to the website (see below) or go right to our Flickr Photostream using the link below. http://onthegroundglobal.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e86f86882c25bcdcfe0bda552&id=0bf7e037f7&e=7b6f7ef5c1
Tune in to the RAE website every day, or wait for these daily email messages. Daily coverage is available on our website, and we also have three Traverse City businesses hosting Online coverage. Higher Grounds Trading, Pangea's Pizza, and Crema Cafe' & Grill. Feel free to come on by and cheer on the team.
To see more photos of the team as they are sent to us from Ethiopia, go to the website, www.runacrossethiopia.org, or go to our Flickr page, http://www.flickr.com/photos/57872575@N05/.You can also help us continue this important work by clicking the Donate button below and contributing what you can afford to On The Ground.
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