Touring Day, Monday, August 10

We were supposed to get to spend time with the kiddos this morning. Instead, they had to go to their final Embassy check-up. Many of us used the spare time to get our formula & baby cereal. They use different products in Ethiopia than we do in the US, and many children need time to adjust to the change in flavor/texture of what they are eating. In the late morning, we saw the kids for about an hour, had lunch with them, and had to drop them off at the Care Center.

The afternoon and evening proved to be busy. First, we toured some of the CHS projects in Addis Ababa. We went to Sipara Special Mother & Child Health Center. Considering the small size of the facility, what they do is amazing. The doctor estimated that they deliver 200 babies a month. On top of that, they provide pediatric care and vaccinations for children well into their youth. Payments are based on family income & ability to pay, patients are not turned away do to lack of income. In order to maintain a strict line between humanitarian & adoption services, parents may not relinquish their children at Sipara.

We then visited the school, convention, & conference center. This is clearly placed in a higher income area of Addis Ababa. This is important, because the goal of this project is to become income producing, in order to support projects such as the school in Hosanna. Children's families pay tuition for them to attend the school in Addis. They are adding a grade a year to the school, and currently serve K-6.

Next up was the Ethiopian National Museum. We didn't spend a lot of time here, and Michael was ready for a break by this time. He was having a hard time listening, and we spoke stearnly to him. He still wasn't listening, and at this point, I noticed we were being watched & followed. I got to Michael's level, and stressed how important it was that he listen to us and stay close, as there was obvious risk of someone believing that he did not belong with us. We visited the bones of "Lucy" there, although we aren't sure if they were the real thing or a recreation. There was a window in the room, so they could be exposed to sunlight. Seemed odd.

On the way back to the Guest House, a portion of our group stopped at Kaldi Coffee. The Starbucks of Ethiopia. As I understand it, the service was better. I think it was cheaper, too.

In the evening, we went to Yod Abyssinia for traditional Ethiopian Food & dancing. Michael actually liked the Zil Xil Tibs. Everyone enjoyed the music & dancers, too.