katheine omo valley

I’m very excited because in the seven years that I’ve lived abroad, I had my first visitors last week. Kelly was in my Peace Corps group and her friend Megan came for 2 weeks. We toured 10 rural tribes in the Omo Valley who each spoke a different language. We met the chief’s, played with the kids, and tried the “chufaro.” It’s a hot drink made from the shell of coffee beans. A kilo of the shells cost 5 cents, but a kilo of the beans is not affordable – a little over a dollar. We were amazed at how the tribes survived with so little resources in the hot, hot desert. We saw one school which is still stuck in my mind – a blackboard leaning against a tree with kids surrounding it on the ground. I feel like writing grants to build water pumps and schools and health clinics. Attached is one picture. I wanted to attach more but am unable. My door is always open. I’d love a visit from you anytime.

03/22/2006

I will be moving to the capital, Addis Ababa, in July and then plan to start volunteering for Hope Enterprises. They provide breakfast for

I moved to the capital, Addis Ababa, in July and arrived when rainy season was starting. 2 months of rain, mud, and cold - not fun! At 8500 feet, Addis Ababa has the third highest city elevation in the world so I have to remember to stay hydrated. I am blessed with a great house. It sits on the edge of a park and overlooks a river, both of which my dog Wusha enjoys immensely. My neighborhood also has hyenas, but far from my house. At night sometimes I hear them call out, "joooo, joooo." And then all the stray dogs bark like mad to keep them at bay. I live next door to a community center and plan to organize "Saturday fun activities" for the local kids.

I am teaching English in the evenings and hope to teach Sociology/Women's Studies courses when the semester starts. I joined a singing group and we will perform during Christmas at a prison, at the Good Samaritan, at Madre Teresa's, and at Trampled Rose, which is a fistula 'hostel' for women awaiting surgery.
What I am really enjoying is running three times a week with the French Ambassador and other diplomats! His Embassy is near my house so I joined their running club though I don't speak French. The embarrassing issue of 'freedom fries' and pouring French wine down the toilet hasn't come up - yet! We go on the most beautiful runs through the forest and I find such peace in it.
Minichel has moved to Addis and found a place in my neighborhood. He hopes to coach (tennis) soon and is playing in a big tournament at the Hilton Hotel at the end of the month. As he's shown me so much Ethiopian culture, I have been enjoying showing him some American culture. We ate hamburgers for the first time the other evening and he insisted on using a fork/knife, which is really funny because Ethiopians never use a fork/knife. We watched the Lion King and he liked the acumma matatta dance. His favorite program is Charlie Chaplin. It's fun enjoying simple things together. We attend a sweet Anglican church called St. Matthew's that we both like. I hope to be going to Hungary soon to defend my dissertation which has turned out to be over 200 pages. I have come to the conclusion that anyone writing a dissertation is on the borderline of being absolutely nuts! My advisor Judy in Charlotte says it's a test of endurance, like running a marathon times ten. I look forward to finishing with it.

Dear Friends and Family,
I moved to the capital, Addis Ababa, in July and arrived when rainy season was starting. 2 months of rain, mud, and cold - not fun! At 8500 feet, Addis Ababa has the third highest city elevation in the world so I have to remember to stay hydrated. I am blessed with a great house. It sits on the edge of a park and overlooks a river, both of which my dog Wusha enjoys immensely. My neighborhood also has hyenas, but far from my house. At night sometimes I hear them call out, "joooo, joooo." And then all the stray dogs bark like mad to keep them at bay. I live next door to a community center and plan to organize "Saturday fun activities" for the local kids.

What I am really enjoying is running three times a week with the French Ambassador and other diplomats! His Embassy is near my house so I joined their running club though I don't speak French. The embarrassing issue of 'freedom fries' and pouring French wine down the toilet hasn't come up - yet! We go on the most beautiful runs through the forest and I find such peace in it.

I hope to be going to Hungary soon to defend my dissertation which has turned out to be over 200 pages. I have come to the conclusion that anyone writing a dissertation is on the borderline of being absolutely nuts! My advisor Judy in Charlotte says it's a test of endurance, like running a marathon times ten. I look forward to finishing with it.
Blessings to you!!!
Love,
Katherine

I'm going to Hungary Dec. 28 - Jan.6. My dissertation defense will be
on Thursday, January 4.

The defense lasted 3 hours. God gave me calmness to answer the questions well.
The committee voted and granted me the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.

Blessings,
Dr. Carter