After travelling about two and a half months around Africa with my comrade Lauri Lehtsaar we arrived on the 9th of December (presumably 30.03.2005 in the local calendar?) worn-down and grungy at our destination: Soddo, Wolaita, Ethiopia. This is a place our avid reader is already well familiar with. First impressions: like arriving at home. Stepping off the bus we were immediately surrounded by a horde of curious children. And already the roar of a motorcycle: Laur and Bizrat were there to greet us. So began our commune life in Ethiopia. We came with great enthusiasm to build the schoolhouse, but the site was still covered with a forest. It was OK, since we found other things to do. And Estonians flew into this corner of the globe through the windows and doors: on the first day already we caught from the streets of Soddo an Estonian expedition in Africa rambling the Black Continent with off-road vehicles. Soon we were joined by a film crew who began capturing on tape our next autumns TV-star Free Will Valter. Didn’t even understand anymore wheater we were in a sovereign state or Maarjamaa colony…
What did take place during these few weeks? We helped in school where we could: gave the children lessons, developed their English skills and tried to help along to the educating of a new competitive generation. Activities varied widely: we sang, folded, conversed and made science. (Herewith I have a proposition that needs personal initiative: considering the importance of natural science I was disturbed by the lack of local teaching materials and accessories. Microscopes, beakers and lots of other types of accessories are needed – it would be most helpful for the children. It must be mentioned that the kids here are very inquisitive: to leave this matter unattended would be wrong.
Most heartwarming to me were the tutor lessons. Since there were plenty of us, Estonians, so to say teachers, we divided the more challenged pupils into small groups of few so everyone could focus on teaching English to two or three children at a time. Not being especially big fan of children I can honestly say I spent the most hearty moments of the trip with the few girls trusted to me and their coloring books.
Anyway, the time has come to move on: Lauri is departing for home soon and I will go and see what this continent got to offer me yet. We didn’t build the school, but then again this gives us a reason to return another time. I remember the nights spent together full of laughter and joy, rascals on the street forcing their greeting hand and unforgettable Ethiopian cuisine.
MARTIN KUUSK
