Today, we were in the bus for the whole day, except for a short visit to Lake Winche, the second deepest crater lake in Africa. We went from Hawassa all the way to Ambo, mostly west of Addis Ababa. We thought for today, that we would have all participants do the blog, so we asked them to write their most interesting impression so far.

Jim Sorensen: So far, the most memorable experience has been driving up to a water project site and seeing, and hearing, about 80 people clapping and chanting “welcome, welcome.” Their joy and honest thankfulness for what Water to Thrive and the wonderful donors have done, is what impresses me every time.

Suzanne Barrick: I keep asking myself “how?” How does a woman in her 40s carry 40 pounds of water every day for 30+ years? Amidst the disease and poverty of the children who have utterly nothing, I saw smiles and heard laughter. My ten year old daughter carries a 20 pound backpack filled with school books. A ten year old girl in the village of Kuchale carries a 20 pound jerry can filled with water.

Brigitte Hungerbuhler: It’s hard to decide which is the most impressive in this beautiful country, but the highlight for me was to see Lucy at the museum.
Beverly Rosel: The immense opportunity to witness first hand a precious four year old boy child wash his hands, face and feet from a fresh spring water protection project provided by W2T.

Beth Senne-Duff: Cows defecating, goats defecating, dogs defecating, chickens defecating, humans defecating. Please protect the water from the defecations.
Dolly Holsum: What a joy to hike through this beautiful valley (a challenge for many) and see the entire community involvement in “their” well. The joy of these people is contagious!

Carol Swisher: In my first week in Ethiopia, I’ve discovered it is a country on the MOVE. Not just streets filled with pedestrians, donkey carts, bikes, cycles, taxis, buses and trucks. It is a country that is educating its children and overseeing the development of infrastructure such as roads, power lines and cell towers. Foreign investment in agriculture and factories is evident. We have seen humanitarian aid groups wherever we have visited. It is an exciting time for this nation and holds great promise for its people.

Stacy Brown: First day in Addis we are driving to our hotel and I see a crippled child not more than 8 years of age dragging her body down the sidewalk near a busy street, begging for what I suspect to be money, food or both. Her right leg was bent upward with club foot dragging behind her. I was nauseous and overwhelmed by what I saw. I have never witnessed poverty to this extreme. Nor have I ever witnessed a precious child in these conditions begging for help. I went to my room and cried. I asked God, “Are you sure I am supposed to be here? I don’t know if I can do this.” My heart hurt so much for that precious child and the many others I have seen along the way. I pray that every day we are here that God gives me the strength to handle what I am about to witness on this tough but amazing and beautiful journey. This trip has been a humbling experience, and I keep wondering how all the people can be so happy.

Nancy Teply: I didn’t realize that it would sometimes be a long, steep, and often muddy hike to the well sites. But, there were always many hands extended to help me along the way!

Bobbie Bateman: Even though this is my second trip to Ethiopia, I never tire of the excitement of the children – their waves and smiles! Each and every one will be with me forever.

Rennie Scharlau: A frequent question that was asked at W2T presentations is, “How old are the children when they begin to carry water?” Today as we approached a spring protection site, I was in awe to see the wee little ones, with what appeared to be 1-2 gallon plastic jerry cans, scrambling up and down steep hills. My guess was that there ages ranged from 4 to 10. As soon as they had rinsed, filled and sealed their jerry cans, the scurried up the hill—all with no parental guidance.

Johannes from Diversity Tours: An unforgettable trip with the ambassador for safe, clean water. I’ve had lots of experience with various tourists from different corners of the world. The experience with this group is quite different: because we are doing a blessed activity and addressing the serious problems of the inaccessible and remote communities, beyond the sightseeing. As an Ethiopian I am proud to be a part of it and I pray for the blessing of W2T and this group. God bless W2T!

Today, we were in the bus for the whole day, except for a short visit to Lake Winche, the second deepest crater lake in Africa. We went from Hawassa all the way to Ambo, mostly west of Addis Ababa. We thought for today, that we would have all participants do the blog, so we asked them to write their most interesting impression so far.

Jim Sorensen: So far, the most memorable experience has been driving up to a water project site and seeing, and hearing, about 80 people clapping and chanting “welcome, welcome.” Their joy and honest thankfulness for what Water to Thrive and the wonderful donors have done, is what impresses me every time.

Suzanne Barrick: I keep asking myself “how?” How does a woman in her 40s carry 40 pounds of water every day for 30+ years? Amidst the disease and poverty of the children who have utterly nothing, I saw smiles and heard laughter. My ten year old daughter carries a 20 pound backpack filled with school books. A ten year old girl in the village of Kuchale carries a 20 pound jerry can filled with water.

Brigitte Hungerbuhler: It’s hard to decide which is the most impressive in this beautiful country, but the highlight for me was to see Lucy at the museum.
Beverly Rosel: The immense opportunity to witness first hand a precious four year old boy child wash his hands, face and feet from a fresh spring water protection project provided by W2T.

Beth Senne-Duff: Cows defecating, goats defecating, dogs defecating, chickens defecating, humans defecating. Please protect the water from the defecations.
Dolly Holsum: What a joy to hike through this beautiful valley (a challenge for many) and see the entire community involvement in “their” well. The joy of these people is contagious!

Carol Swisher: In my first week in Ethiopia, I’ve discovered it is a country on the MOVE. Not just streets filled with pedestrians, donkey carts, bikes, cycles, taxis, buses and trucks. It is a country that is educating its children and overseeing the development of infrastructure such as roads, power lines and cell towers. Foreign investment in agriculture and factories is evident. We have seen humanitarian aid groups wherever we have visited. It is an exciting time for this nation and holds great promise for its people.

Stacy Brown: First day in Addis we are driving to our hotel and I see a crippled child not more than 8 years of age dragging her body down the sidewalk near a busy street, begging for what I suspect to be money, food or both. Her right leg was bent upward with club foot dragging behind her. I was nauseous and overwhelmed by what I saw. I have never witnessed poverty to this extreme. Nor have I ever witnessed a precious child in these conditions begging for help. I went to my room and cried. I asked God, “Are you sure I am supposed to be here? I don’t know if I can do this.” My heart hurt so much for that precious child and the many others I have seen along the way. I pray that every day we are here that God gives me the strength to handle what I am about to witness on this tough but amazing and beautiful journey. This trip has been a humbling experience, and I keep wondering how all the people can be so happy.

Nancy Teply: I didn’t realize that it would sometimes be a long, steep, and often muddy hike to the well sites. But, there were always many hands extended to help me along the way!

Bobbie Bateman: Even though this is my second trip to Ethiopia, I never tire of the excitement of the children – their waves and smiles! Each and every one will be with me forever.

Rennie Scharlau: A frequent question that was asked at W2T presentations is, “How old are the children when they begin to carry water?” Today as we approached a spring protection site, I was in awe to see the wee little ones, with what appeared to be 1-2 gallon plastic jerry cans, scrambling up and down steep hills. My guess was that there ages ranged from 4 to 10. As soon as they had rinsed, filled and sealed their jerry cans, the scurried up the hill—all with no parental guidance.

Johannes from Diversity Tours: An unforgettable trip with the ambassador for safe, clean water. I’ve had lots of experience with various tourists from different corners of the world. The experience with this group is quite different: because we are doing a blessed activity and addressing the serious problems of the inaccessible and remote communities, beyond the sightseeing. As an Ethiopian I am proud to be a part of it and I pray for the blessing of W2T and this group. God bless W2T!