Ethiopia- Shopping, Food, Kids, and The Guest House

 I got to go to Ethiopia in Africa in a partnership with Korah Kids, an organization that helps provide food and basic needs to families that live in a trash dump part of town. They also recently opened a girls home for orphan girls living on the streets.

While in Ethiopia we had many adventures. This post has some random odds and ends of those. 

First up, a look at the guest house we stayed at in Addis Ababa, which is the capital city. 

View from our room

Our first day there, we got to go to an orphanage. Darci goes there a lot and knows the nuns so she always goes to visit and help where she can. We got to play with the kids. 

We also got to talk to Sister Lagarta, a nun from Malta, who has lived most of her life working at the orphanage. She's amazing and we got to hear more about her life from her. 

We also got to tour the fistula hosptial. This was started decades ago by a women from Australia. She came to perform essential surgeries for young girls giving birth. She died a few years ago at the age of 96 (I think?) but the work goes on and countless women are being helped! 

We also got to visit a few special shops, where Ethiopian people have opened up stores to provide work and skill training for the people of Korah. It was incredible to meet these people and buy things form their shops and to support them! 

Traditional Blanket weaving. They also donate blankets to those in need. 

Jewelry making shop! 

And the leather shop! All so incredible and the work they are providing is amazing. 

We also did some more traditional mall shopping. 

This was fun to see- they use teff flour for one of their most essential foods. So of course they don't have CORN flakes, but Teff flakes! 

We didn't realize before we went but we were there during a holiday! It's called Meskel and has to do with Jesus's cross and now they celebrate by having big bon fires all over that night. 

The next morning they put the yellow "new years flower" all over the ground. 

And then of course there was the food! I love Ethiopian food and even know how to make a lot of it, thanks to Winta and Haben. I was excited to try some of the dishes there! It was fun to see the things that Winta and Haben have been making. 

On our last night we went to a nice restaurant. I also got called up on the stage and had a hair twirling dance off with the dancer. I only have a video of that and no photos so just take my word on this- it really happened and was probably really embarrassing but I do embarrassing things all the time so whatever. haha

And that's it for this random post!