Noah's Ark Room: Upper Kindergarten

Along with the rainbow on the outdoor mural, Iris envisioned a second rainbow for one of the classrooms. Both the outdoor and the indoor projects evolved at about the same time. We adjusted our schedule to make the most of quiet in the classroom when we realized that painting and interacting with inquisitive children at the same time proved a real stretch. Each activity on its own -- fine. But at the same time -- draining.


We roll out of bed at 7:00 or so and work in the classroom until school begins at 8:30. Then we return to our apartment for one of Kay's tasty feasts. We resume painting by 10:00, often working outside while the sun allows. We retreat for a late lunch and rest until school ends at 3:00 then work until it's too dark or the rain comes.


Today we added some final touches to the Noah's Ark/wild animal mural. Enjoy!

A bit of inspiration -- the Rooster Room

Hareg came to see the work this morning. The outdoor rainbow mural, "is my dream come true! Even beyond! The half has not been told. I am overwhelmed." When she saw the nearly complete work in the Upper Kindergarten room she wept for joy. 

The lead teacher in Upper Kindergarten and Hareg in front of the nearly complete Noah's Ark mural.

Even before Hareg's reaction, we faced a small dilemma: how would we make the Lower Kindergarten mural just as magnificent?


Inspiration. Iris thought about this challenge. After a night's creative thought, she had the solution. We'd included a small portion of the adjoining wall and sketched in hills. I drew and painted a radiant sun behind the hills. Iris's vision -- a cocky rooster boldly crowing at the rising sun. Habtamu's skill was all it took to realize the vision.

Sights in Addis

Today we took a break from work and turned full attention to the sensory experience that is Addis Ababa. In the splendid St. George's Cathedral, built in distinctive circular style, our guide explained the musical tradition established by St. Yared and still observed today. Gazing at stunning murals painted on the walls of the second circle, I felt overcome with the beauty and sacredness of the space. With special permission, Lavinia captured the deacons and priest beginning chants and prayers. (To see the video click highlighted words.) Following the Greek Orthodox calendar Christian churches in Ethiopia begin observing holy week tomorrow, Palm Sunday, while their western counterparts observe Easter.

Lavinia, Iris, Rebecca and Kay with bare feet honoring holy ground of St. George's Cathedral.

More pictures of our day coming in another post.

Outdoor Mural Nearly Complete!

Our initial plan for the Learning Village involved three classrooms. Iris takes every request in stride and the plan expanded to include two huge outdoor walls as well. This week we attacked the first wall. Using oil paints (messy, smelly, but weather-proof), we created a stunning mural on a once blank wall. Here are a few pictures of the process.

Dembi Dollo Update

Flex and flow. Those are the bywords on this venture. This project is a community effort, evolving and changing day to day. Last night as Iris spoke on the phone with Sister Evelyn, our contact in Dembi Dollo, it helped to remember this. According to Sister Evelyn and the U.S. Embassy the road between Gambela and Dembo Dollo is unsafe as there is violence in the area. We are all very disappointed as are the Sisters of Charity and the children with whom we hoped to work. Much of what we brought with us is for this location where people have so little. But each of our group appreciates the nature of the situation, and we'd all like to return to the States as planned.


We will make the best of this new development. The three-room project we envisioned here at the Learning Village grew on arrival to three rooms and two huge outdoor murals. The extended time means that we can work even greater magic. Dembi Dollo must wait for the next trip.

Friday: Our first full day

The day begins before first light. Birds compete with the roosters and the long sighing intake beginning a donkey's bray is only drowned out by the roar of jets taking off and landing at Addis Ababa International Airport. The electricity returned during the night and Kay cooks us an amazing brekky: garlic mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, and Lavinia makes fresh tomato & onion salad. Thus nourished, we walk to the compound and start work. Lavinia and I continue sketching the outdoor mural, Iris consults with Habtamu, and the children swarm round to inspect us and our work. Kay produces a fantastic lunch, proving once again the direct link between good morale and good food. Our spirits are great. In the afternoon Samson joins us wearing the tie-dyed shirt I gave him to cover his good clothes. The work of transformation begins!




Just before stepping into the shower the electricity goes out. No worries; the glow of Lavinia's phone is enough. We sup on fresh fruit salad, yoghurt, bread and peanut butter. No power for tea, but the meal is good. We sit around the table in semi-darkness telling stories. Rain. Glorious drenching rain. The first rain since early September drums on the roof as we crawl into bed.

We have arrived!

A week ago we flew out of San Francisco. Our trip was interesting, but that small saga can wait. First an update on life at the Learning Village.


Arriving late Wednesday evening, we crashed in our apartment on the compound. Thursday I awoke to roosters crowing and children's voices. The best! After breakfast we started finding our way around and getting ready to work. Iris met with Daniel, the business administrator, and Hareg, one of the founders of the Village. After discussing the vision and sharing a collection of idea pictures, Daniel gave us a tour of the compound. We saw the very first happy room that Iris painted in Ethiopia, greeted some of the students, and ended at the new three-room pre-school/kindergarten building where we are now working.


Iris is a force of nature. Adjusting to time change, high altitude and new surroundings are not enough for one day. In the afternoon, a driver and vehicle were arranged and we went into Addis to purchase paints and groceries.


With a bit of afternoon light, we primed the wall in the lower kindergarten classroom wall. Lavinia and I marked the first arc of the rainbow of the outside wall to complete the day. Darkness came quickly. The electricity was out and because the pump is electric we ran out of running water. We ate cold food by flashlight glow. After supper Lavania cleaned Iris's and my feet using wet wipes followed by scented oil. Wow. I love these women! I crawled into bed jet- lagged, a bit grubby, and very thankful.