Ethiopia, October 2006

14 October (somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean)

Before our 17-hour flight took off, an announcement was made that our Rotary group was on board and traveling to Ethiopia to help in the polio-eradication efforts! We got a round of applause from the rest of the passengers! That was pretty cool.

I’m so far away from home right now – and I couldn’t be more thrilled.

16 October

I can't believe I have the energy to keep my eyes open and the pen moving right now. I'm so exhausted!

17 October

Little did I know when I woke up this morning the adventures that awaited me.

While attempting to make a sharp turn down a very steep hill, our driver nearly sent our bus off a cliff. The bus started sliding, and everyone quickly jumped off. After much effort, the driver made it around the curve, and everyone reboarded the bus. We continued down into the upper northern section of the Great Rift Valley. We finally reached our destination (a rural town called Ittissa), where we dedicated a well that Rotarians had built.

21 October

There is so much to tell. Yesterday morning, we woke up early and drove to a little village. After several long hours of driving over terrible roads, we arrived at a small clinic- or school-type place. There were lots of kids around.

Later, some moms brought their babies to be vaccinated. I got to do two vaccinations. I thought it was going to be easy, but there I was, trying to get two drops of vaccine down the tiny throat of a crying baby! The bottle was hard to squeeze, but I nervously managed to finally immunize the child. By her tears, I could tell she hated the taste. But the discomfort she felt now could mean a better future for her later. I truly felt like I made a difference in those two children’s lives by giving those drops.

Since I last wrote, we have walked about 3 miles over rough terrain and blistering heat, which is rare for this area, to a little village to do door-to-door polio vaccinations. The flies were almost unbearable.

All the mothers came out of their huts, carrying their little babies for us to vaccinate. I immunized two more! Although the babies were crying, the mothers were overjoyed. They must have found it strange that all these people had suddenly invaded their village, but I saw in their smiles that we brought hope to them with our bright yellow vests and drops of vaccine.

28 October

The past two weeks have been an absolute whirlwind of adventure and heartbreak – a true emotional roller coaster.

My hope is that I made a difference to someone. I know I will have a new appreciation for everything I’ve been blessed with in my life.

Ethiopia will always hold a special place in my heart, no matter how many other places I may travel to. I’m so happy that I’ve been given this opportunity, and I hope I can participate in National Immunization Days next year too!

For more information, read about Rotary International's PolioPlus program.