On Monday (22nd) Liz and her luggage went to her house in Segeneiti where her placement is. Segeneiti is about an hour or so south of Asmara (by road and reasonable transport); unfortunately, they were stopped and their travel visa’s were declined for some reason, which meant they had to return to Asmara and get them amended. Three hours later she got there! Nonetheless, the scenery etc was very impressive. She will stay for a few days and then return to Asmara to complete motorcycle training. Then it’s back to Segeneiti to start work properly.
The house appears to be some sort of rendered breeze-block structure in a compound with 2 other houses. It has a reception and bedroom – each about 4 metres square – and a bathroom and toilet “out the back”. She has electricity and water (which needs to be filtered), but the toilet is flushed manually! She will be cooking on a kerosene stove. The house “needs a good scrub” but she seems OK with it. Liz hopes to add some pictures to this blog. She has met one of the families in the compound and they are very friendly; the guy has a photographic shop (there are actually 2 in Senegeiti!) and the wife is a teacher in the local Catholic school. They have a few children as well.
Segeneiti is a small town / village based around a main street with shops and a market. On Saturdays there is an outdoor market. Liz says it’s really a lovely place and the people are “so nice and friendly”! People approach her to ask if she is from VSO – Eritrea is not open to any other NGAs nor does it provide much by way of opportunities for ex-pats, so people tend to know that most foreigners are likely to be VSO volunteers. The people react very positively to Liz’s attempts at Tigrinyan (local language) but she now realises how essential a good grasp of the language is going to be if she wants to get anything done etc.
The weather remains very hot indeed but she is getting used to it now. The only down side seems to be the fact that the harvest has suffered from a drought so they’re waiting to see what the impact is going to be. ….. sooner her than me!
Tuesday, 23 September 2008
Friday, 19 September 2008
Update 19th September 2008 (via Dad)
Hi. Well it appears the communications in Eritrea are very poor (by UK standards at least) and Liz is experiencing great difficulty in doing some of the most basic tasks, e.g. creating an email, so updating this blog has been an issue! The following extract from one which did get through demonstrates:
Hi Dad, having spent hours and hours over several days trying to open my hotmail messages I have given up and decided to start a new account. Apparently Googlemail is quicker here as I can select the one with no images etc... Its terrible cos I'm having a great time but by the time I've managed to get anywhere near an email I'm always completely frustrated by the speed!!! I have been on the computer for 1 hour and 15 mins today and this is the first mail I've been able to write - average page loading speed is 10 mins!!! And even then its often a frozen image!!! aaaaggghhhhhhh
The new account is lizleetravels@gmail.com and she would like you all to send her an email so she can set up a directory. Please also send your UK addresses as she may resort to sending updates by post if the comms don't improve. (It seems the British Council in Asmara may let them use some of their bandwidth which will make things a bit better - we'll see.)
She also now has a mobile phone (00) 291 7192645 but we don't yet know how much it costs (at either end) to use this so I suggest you hang fire before using that.
I am happy to copy on emails which manage to get through, if you are interested. Just email me (richard.n.lee@btinternet.com) and I'll add you to a distribution list.
Apart from that, she continues to have a great time. The following comes from the same email:
We went to a village yesterday - Sade Christian. About half an hour out of Asmara. It was a cool experience. Followed by children everywhere and when we took photos we got completely swamped cos they all wanted to see themselves and their friends on screen! Went to visit a school to get an idea about the classrooms and stuff. It was the best school in Eritrea but still really small and overcrowded, but definitely forward thinking - they had a room with no desks so children can do drama work and stuff with enough space. One volunteer had supported the school in getting paints and they had painted the outside walls with learning charts - the solar system, digestive system, world and country maps etc- that was pretty cool! We have a day with our employers tomorrow. I'll meet the supervisor who will be my counterpart, and also the directors of a few schools in the region. We do a whole day's training together and then there is a dinner in the evening. Its a bit scary but hopefully it'll help to get to know people before I move out there. I'm going to try to send this now- fingers crosed that the internet doesn't bomb out! I'm going to put some of my photos into a word document and add them as an attachment next week. It is meant to cut down the upload time. I was then hoping you would be able to put them on my blog. Hope everything is ok at home!
I was able to ring Liz and it appears the day with her new boss etc. went very well. Hopefully she (or I) will be able to give more details later. On Tuesday she goes to her house in Segeneiti (where she will be based) but she has to return to Asmara for 3 days to complete her motorbike driving course (Eritrean version!)
Dad (Richard)
Hi Dad, having spent hours and hours over several days trying to open my hotmail messages I have given up and decided to start a new account. Apparently Googlemail is quicker here as I can select the one with no images etc... Its terrible cos I'm having a great time but by the time I've managed to get anywhere near an email I'm always completely frustrated by the speed!!! I have been on the computer for 1 hour and 15 mins today and this is the first mail I've been able to write - average page loading speed is 10 mins!!! And even then its often a frozen image!!! aaaaggghhhhhhh
The new account is lizleetravels@gmail.com and she would like you all to send her an email so she can set up a directory. Please also send your UK addresses as she may resort to sending updates by post if the comms don't improve. (It seems the British Council in Asmara may let them use some of their bandwidth which will make things a bit better - we'll see.)
She also now has a mobile phone (00) 291 7192645 but we don't yet know how much it costs (at either end) to use this so I suggest you hang fire before using that.
I am happy to copy on emails which manage to get through, if you are interested. Just email me (richard.n.lee@btinternet.com) and I'll add you to a distribution list.
Apart from that, she continues to have a great time. The following comes from the same email:
We went to a village yesterday - Sade Christian. About half an hour out of Asmara. It was a cool experience. Followed by children everywhere and when we took photos we got completely swamped cos they all wanted to see themselves and their friends on screen! Went to visit a school to get an idea about the classrooms and stuff. It was the best school in Eritrea but still really small and overcrowded, but definitely forward thinking - they had a room with no desks so children can do drama work and stuff with enough space. One volunteer had supported the school in getting paints and they had painted the outside walls with learning charts - the solar system, digestive system, world and country maps etc- that was pretty cool! We have a day with our employers tomorrow. I'll meet the supervisor who will be my counterpart, and also the directors of a few schools in the region. We do a whole day's training together and then there is a dinner in the evening. Its a bit scary but hopefully it'll help to get to know people before I move out there. I'm going to try to send this now- fingers crosed that the internet doesn't bomb out! I'm going to put some of my photos into a word document and add them as an attachment next week. It is meant to cut down the upload time. I was then hoping you would be able to put them on my blog. Hope everything is ok at home!
I was able to ring Liz and it appears the day with her new boss etc. went very well. Hopefully she (or I) will be able to give more details later. On Tuesday she goes to her house in Segeneiti (where she will be based) but she has to return to Asmara for 3 days to complete her motorbike driving course (Eritrean version!)
Dad (Richard)
Sunday, 7 September 2008
The eagle has landed!
Well- I'm here! After months and monmths of preparation! And it's great! Far better than I could ever have imagined. The place is beautiful, the people are lovely and it's soooooooo relaxed!
Staying at the Lion Hotel in Asmara for two weeks of in country training with the otrher 12 new volunteers- all lovely and we're having lots of fun! Went for a walk in the mountains outside Asmara today- just stunning! Lots of goats, cows and donkeys... but no camels yet! Have met some very sweet and inquisitive children and have tried a variety of injera and stew dishes. Food here is great!
We start proper training tomorrowe- have to be at the programme office by 8:30 and have to cycle there so that'll be a challenge!!
Hope everyone is well.
L xx
Staying at the Lion Hotel in Asmara for two weeks of in country training with the otrher 12 new volunteers- all lovely and we're having lots of fun! Went for a walk in the mountains outside Asmara today- just stunning! Lots of goats, cows and donkeys... but no camels yet! Have met some very sweet and inquisitive children and have tried a variety of injera and stew dishes. Food here is great!
We start proper training tomorrowe- have to be at the programme office by 8:30 and have to cycle there so that'll be a challenge!!
Hope everyone is well.
L xx
Friday, 5 September 2008
Final entry in UK
Hi guys,
So here I am writing the final pre-departure entry- OMG!!! I'm sitting at the kitchen table surfing the net whilst mum is putting together a handy sewing kit for me to take- aren't mums brilliant! I've just come back from lunch with Naini and Jude down at the Watermill. Had a lovely tuna nicoise. It has finally stopped raining but the fields were all completely flooded as the river has burst it's banks. I've taken photos but I've packed the computer connector so can't post them yet!! Loads of roads around here have flooded and Newbridge Fields (for those of you who know it) is pretty much just a wide fast flowing river, huge waves as the water crashes over the bins!!
I'm feeling ok about going. Feeling like I've been packing for an absolute age. I'm glad I managed to get packed last night as today has been a really nice 'bits and bobs' kind of day. Mum and Dad went to Tesco to print my photos and spent 24 pounds- that's alot of photos!!!! I'm feeling sad about leaving here and am seeing Bridgend in a completely new light- as some kind of amazing Eden! We're leaving for London tonight at 7 ish- after a nice pizza. Feel like all I've done today is eat and drink!! Staying overnight at the Ibis and then up bright and breezy at 4:30am ish to head to Heathrow. I'm not much of a morning person so this could be a bit unpleasant for all involved!
Right, better shoot as I need to get my finance file sorted for Dad. Next time I'll be reporting from Eritrea- eeikk!!!!
Stay safe and keep in touch!
L xx
So here I am writing the final pre-departure entry- OMG!!! I'm sitting at the kitchen table surfing the net whilst mum is putting together a handy sewing kit for me to take- aren't mums brilliant! I've just come back from lunch with Naini and Jude down at the Watermill. Had a lovely tuna nicoise. It has finally stopped raining but the fields were all completely flooded as the river has burst it's banks. I've taken photos but I've packed the computer connector so can't post them yet!! Loads of roads around here have flooded and Newbridge Fields (for those of you who know it) is pretty much just a wide fast flowing river, huge waves as the water crashes over the bins!!
I'm feeling ok about going. Feeling like I've been packing for an absolute age. I'm glad I managed to get packed last night as today has been a really nice 'bits and bobs' kind of day. Mum and Dad went to Tesco to print my photos and spent 24 pounds- that's alot of photos!!!! I'm feeling sad about leaving here and am seeing Bridgend in a completely new light- as some kind of amazing Eden! We're leaving for London tonight at 7 ish- after a nice pizza. Feel like all I've done today is eat and drink!! Staying overnight at the Ibis and then up bright and breezy at 4:30am ish to head to Heathrow. I'm not much of a morning person so this could be a bit unpleasant for all involved!
Right, better shoot as I need to get my finance file sorted for Dad. Next time I'll be reporting from Eritrea- eeikk!!!!
Stay safe and keep in touch!
L xx
Tuesday, 2 September 2008
The final countdown!!
Hi guys!
Ok, so it's Tuesday and I'm leaving here on Friday night- looking around the room its hard to believe that that is possible- there are clothes and 'useful things' everywhere!! I keep thinking of other stuff I should take but I'm wondering how its gonna fit!
Thought I'd give you a few bits of exciting information today!!
Did you know, so far I've had to have 10 big needles stuck into my arm- and I've got another coming tomorrow!
1st visit- back in April- two injections- diptheria, tetanus, polio and Hep B(1)
2nd visit- April- Hep B(2), Hep A and Thyphoid.
3rd visit- May- just one otday!- Hep B(3)
4th visit- July- Rabies(1)
5th visit- August- Rabies(2) and Meningitis ACWY
6th visit- August- Rabies(3) and anitmalarials.
7th visit is tomorrow- Yellow Fever- lovely!!!! I don't actually need Yellow Fever for Eritrea but will do if I go travelling around at all. What's another needle in your arm anyway??!!!
Don't panic though- if you come to visit you won't need that many- its just cos I'm going for 2 years!
Right, on with the packing!!
Liz xx
Ok, so it's Tuesday and I'm leaving here on Friday night- looking around the room its hard to believe that that is possible- there are clothes and 'useful things' everywhere!! I keep thinking of other stuff I should take but I'm wondering how its gonna fit!
Thought I'd give you a few bits of exciting information today!!
Did you know, so far I've had to have 10 big needles stuck into my arm- and I've got another coming tomorrow!
1st visit- back in April- two injections- diptheria, tetanus, polio and Hep B(1)
2nd visit- April- Hep B(2), Hep A and Thyphoid.
3rd visit- May- just one otday!- Hep B(3)
4th visit- July- Rabies(1)
5th visit- August- Rabies(2) and Meningitis ACWY
6th visit- August- Rabies(3) and anitmalarials.
7th visit is tomorrow- Yellow Fever- lovely!!!! I don't actually need Yellow Fever for Eritrea but will do if I go travelling around at all. What's another needle in your arm anyway??!!!
Don't panic though- if you come to visit you won't need that many- its just cos I'm going for 2 years!
Right, on with the packing!!
Liz xx
Monday, 1 September 2008
Leaving Party!!!!!!
Hi Guys!
Sending out a great big 'THANK YOU' to everyone who came to my party on Saturday. I had a great time and was really pleased that so many of you could make it! I hope you all enjoyed yourselves; I think we may have put a record amount of money in the tills and certainly emptied a record number of Sambuca bottles in one night!
Thank you also for your amazing gifts. I have been overwhelmed by people's generosity. I'm planning on putting the money into my savings account for emergencies such as needing to go travelling in other parts of Africa whilst I'm away!!
Finally, my camera had no battery- neither did Rach's and Dad has lost his!!!! So if anyone has photos please send copies to me- digitally or otherwise!! I would love to see some photos of the night, especially so I can take pics of you all with me to Eritrea. And if you found a camera please let Dad know!
Thanks again for being so fab!
Liz x
Sending out a great big 'THANK YOU' to everyone who came to my party on Saturday. I had a great time and was really pleased that so many of you could make it! I hope you all enjoyed yourselves; I think we may have put a record amount of money in the tills and certainly emptied a record number of Sambuca bottles in one night!
Thank you also for your amazing gifts. I have been overwhelmed by people's generosity. I'm planning on putting the money into my savings account for emergencies such as needing to go travelling in other parts of Africa whilst I'm away!!
Finally, my camera had no battery- neither did Rach's and Dad has lost his!!!! So if anyone has photos please send copies to me- digitally or otherwise!! I would love to see some photos of the night, especially so I can take pics of you all with me to Eritrea. And if you found a camera please let Dad know!
Thanks again for being so fab!
Liz x
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