The Last Coffee Ceremony

November 9^th, 2007

Yesterday wasn’t too exciting. We taught and my class period went by fast because they were asking so many questions. But that was because I was attempting to define words and it’s difficult to define them in English in such a way that they’ll understand. It is better if their regular teacher tells them what words mean in their own language instead. The sad thing is that they don’t have English to Oromifa dictionaries. That’s another need that should be met.

Today we went to school and took pictures of the flag-raising ceremony. Bruce and Tekle came because they had arrived during devotions. Kate taught while I talked to some teachers. Many of the local people here, including the teachers, always ask if we are coming back and we always have to explain that it’s expensive to come. Then they say that when we graduate we’ll get a good paying job and come. Well that’s not always true, but we always say maybe because we would love to return. I gave my students the test they asked for. I thought that it was pretty hilarious that they asked for one. I tried to make it easy for them, so hopefully it was. There may have been some cheating going on, but the students are so crowded in that classroom and it’s so dark that it’s hard to tell. But then again, I could be making an unfair accusation.

Then they showed Bruce, Tekle, and Kate the library, textbook room, and material room. It was interesting because it looked like there were plenty of extra books in the textbook room, but not all of the kids had them. Then they explained that there were enough for a few grades, but not all of them. I had noticed this even though Kassa had said one day that the government is finally providing the books. While they may have provided some, they still haven’t provided enough. We took pictures with the teachers and some of the students. It was really difficult trying to get out of there. I guess this is what it’s like to be a miniature celebrity. Crazy. I felt bittersweet about leaving. I was glad because I wouldn’t have to teach anymore but I was sad that I would leave all those children who had found a place in my heart.

We drove to a water pump and the coffee plantation after class. Bruce was really interested in it because he studied agriculture and economics. Later we played Frisbee and sang while Kate played guitar. The rest of the staff is in Nekemt so it was a small number of people: just Kate, Bruce, Tekle, Abraham, a guard, Tanagne and I. After dinner we made a campfire while Tanagne served us coffee. Tanagne even put frankincense on the coffee-making fire. A true ceremony. Thunder and lightening lit up the whole sky.

We leave early tomorrow morning and we have to get up at like 5:30! Ugh! I am so sad to leave Tanagne. She’s so sweet. Tonight she hugged me and cried, which humbled me because I had no idea we were such a blessing to her. I wish women could stay here with her so she wouldn’t always be the only one. At least Truwork comes around every day as well as the laundry girl (whom I still haven’t learned her name because their names are so hard to learn!). We are giving Tanagne and Truwork necklaces and notes before we leave.

It was so good to see Bruce and tell him all the things we’ve wanted to talk about concerning practicum. It was also really good to see Tekle again. I look forward to seeing Addis Ababa as well and eating different kinds of food.