Hosanna Town, Sunday, August 9

Today was a LONG day! We made the trip south to Hosanna Town. Above is scenery on the drive. It is very green. In southern Ethiopia, drought is referred to as green drought, as there is enough moisture for grass and trees, but not crops. This is the area where many of the children are from, and it is our opportunity to meet birth parents or care givers (prior to becoming an orphan). We were on the bus and ready to go at 6 am for the 4 hour drive. We stopped about half way there at a hotel in a town called Butajira to use the rest rooms. The rest room here is a combined men's/women's room (used by both sexes at the same time). There was a urinal at the end of the row of stalls, so that a man using it would be facing away from those entering the rest room. You bring toilet paper with you, because it is not generally provided in places like this. Hotel in Butajira:

When we arrived at the CHS-ET south office, we all went into a room and waited our turn to meet with those who may have come. Another nervous time. Our meeting was very touching, we feel confident that we know Sid's story as accurately as possible.

After the meetings were complete, an entrustment ceremony was held that included prayers for the birth/first families of the children, and the adoptive parents. Following the prayer was the exchange of a candle symbolizing the passing of the child from one family to the other. It was beautiful and moving. I was crying quite a lot, and could barely speak the prayer. Here we are holding the candle from the entrustment ceremony:

When the entrustment ceremony was complete, a traditional Ethiopian Coffee ceremony was held. Yes, I did drink the coffee. Pete spilled his! We then walked down to the old orphanage building to use the rest room. We were followed along the road by many curious children! Pictured below is the setting for the coffee ceremony:

We loaded back in the bus to visit some of the CHS-ET projects aimed to help improve the lives of families in the area. First was a drive by a bakery provided where Injera can be made to sell at market for families to earn income. Next was a school that will be opening this fall. It will be tuition free for those attending. One of the CHS school buildings in Hosanna Town:

Our last stop, and maybe most exciting, was a visit to a traditional Ethiopian hut. A passerby saw us there and taking pictures of the children (who ask to be photographed), and was quite insistant about wanting to arrest us all. After quite a long discussion between the man, the Ethiopian social workers, & our bus driver, we were on our way. The social worker boarded the bus and exclaimed "Good thing you are americans!". I think they must have successfully convinced the man that arresting a large group of Americans would be too much trouble! Traditional hut we visited: