Africa II....

As Indy wraps up her second year at Mercer University, she will be home for a week and then heads back to school for another 5 week service learning opportunity. For those that are interested, here is the outline of the program:

Mercer on Mission. Crossing Cultures. Changing Lives.

Ethiopia -

Academic Courses

* AFR 300 Africana Studies
Special Topics: Challenges in the Development of Rural Ethiopia

* ENP 390 Environmental Studies and Policy
Special Topics: Water and Sanitation in Sub-Saharan Africa

Faculty

* Laura Lackey (Professor, School of Engineering)
* Randy Harshbarger (Associate Professor, College of Liberal Arts)

Program Highlights:

The project will be focused on the area around Lake Langano in south central Ethiopia, about four hours by road south of the capital Addis Ababa. There we will work with a local Ethiopian organization and a team of CBF missionaries who have founded and operate Water Is Life International (WILI), an organization dedicated to providing clean drinking water to some of the world’s poorest people. Our goal will be to dig a well in concert with the inhabitants of the area. In addition, we will work in a local primary school teaching English (a high priority of the Ethiopian government), animating sports and games with local young people, and working with women’s self-help groups (SHG’s) which have recently been established in the area.

Living conditions will be rather rudimentary. We will need exceptionally mature, responsible, and culturally sensitive students. The mission will involve some hard physical labor, but the main requirement is a willingness to contribute. This experience will transform your life... in a positive way.

Travel Dates: May 30 - June 21, 2011

Approximate In-country Itinerary:

May 31: Arrive in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
- Staying at Red Cross Guest House
- Visiting Fistula Hospital

June 1: To Camp Langano. (Our work will be in a nearby community)
- Well drilling
- Langano Farms Work Project (Community Co-op Farm)
- Community Sports Activity
- Swimming
- Local church visit
- Health and hygiene activities
- Rehab site visits
- Self help group visit
- Bishengari school activity

June 10: To Awassa.
- Staying at Pension. (Our work will be in Girma's Orphanage)
- Fish market
- Climb Mt. Tabor
- Teaching English
- Computer training
- Garden project
- Construction projects/painting
- Visit Mother Teresa's home

June 18: To Yirgalem.
- Staying at Aregash Lodge
- Sidama Cultural Exposure
- Hike
- Relax

June 19: To Addis Ababa.
- Staying at Red Cross Guest House
- Half day historical tour (Red Terror and I Museum)
- Shopping
- Packing

June 20: Evening, Depart for USA.


Classroom Studies:

May 16 - May 26, 2011
Mercer University, Macon Campus


Map: Ethiopia



A: Addis Ababa
B: Langano
C: Awassa
D: Yirgalem


And, just as a teaser for a future blog post. Indy, will again, be traveling in late July through mid August for a Mercer sponsored service learning opportunity in Armenia. Details to come...