Ethiopia tonight...

It's a warm, clear night.  There are a million stars out.

 

We had a lot of progress today.  One of our main discussions right now in finalizing the drought insurance agreement for this year with the farmers is a necessity that we use satellite rainfall estimates because the rain gauge we installed in the village has not been in place long enough to get an accurate sense of local rainfall patterns.  So, yesterday (before I arrived), Marjorie made a trip out to the village to discuss this with the farmers.

 

I wish I could attach her powerpoint (they all gathered around her laptop to watch) - it was amazing.

 

Using only pictures (and the help of a local translator from the village) b/c most of the farmers in Adi Ha can't read, Marjorie explained the concept of satellites by showing a picture of the Earth and the Moon (which some farmers had never seen, but most had) - and then showing a picture of a communications satellite in orbit - complete with solar panels, beaming TV and cell phone signals down to a picture of Africa.  According to her report, there was a lot of enthusiasm at this concept - especially as Marjorie zoomed in on a Google Earth image all the way down to the tree nursery in their village.  "Can we buy our own satellite?", one farmer asked.  "We would like to monitor our tree nursery... I have a problem with people stealing fruit from my trees!"

 

 

Other thoughts as I get ready for sleep (finally)...

 

I'm always thankful for perspective-altering experiences.

 

Not sure how I got on this sleeping schedule.  Somehow i'm 12 hours ahead of New York, and 5 hours ahead of Ethiopia.  My body doesn't know where it is.

 

The best selling brand of bottled water in Ethiopia is called "Life" Spring Water.  Do you think people here know how important water is?

 

- Sounds of Ethiopia - from my last trip here, in March.