POST BY MAY ERLEWINE
Wednesday January 12, 2011
Another incredible day here in Addis Ababa!
We are inspired every moment and have been trying to soak in as much as possible. Today in the schools we focused on love as a theme. The kids did art work and we played all of the love songs we could muster. We felt so fortunate to be able to witness such a beautiful intimate moment with them. The paintings were beautiful!
Amalia Fernand (from Benzie County Michigan) arrived yesterday with the rest of the Young and Voss families and of course miss Shauna Fite (Michigan Land Use Institute staffer). Amalia worked with the kids to make leopard and baboon masks. The students colored them in and put them on. The school became a forest of wild animals… dancing wild animals. The images of these little ones with their colorful masks and giant smiles will be one I will hold onto dearly in my minds eye!
We also got a quick tour of the Jazz school that our musician friend Henock helped to foster here. It’s a really incredible school that focuses on the Berkley school of music curriculum. They provide Theory and Ensemble classes and offer practice and jam spaces for the students. The atmosphere was very free and open. It was the first time in a long time that I have felt moved to return to school.
We are going out this evening to see some traditional Ethiopian music. It’s been hard to pass up all of the amazing cultural experiences, but we’re all a bit exhausted from the constant motion. I am operating on the idea that I can rest when we’re back home. But still, I think we’ll call it early tonight.
Everyone is well and sending love back to all of you!
To return to our website click this link. www.runacrossethiopia.org
