Welcome to our January & February 2010 news update
Hello to all Link Ethiopia followers!
We are going to be gradually ringing some changes to our News Updates and we have started here. Two new sections have been added for younger readers and those young at heart. Our School Quiz poses some challenging Ethiopian questions (Google might have to come into play to answer these). The Kids’ Conundrum, also Ethiopia-based, will tax the brilliance of even our youngest readers!!
We have also tried to cut down the length of our news to make it quicker to read. But for those who would like to know more, links have been added that will lead to the full articles in each case.
Other changes are on their way. Tell us what you think!
Focus on... Volunteering
We at Link Ethiopia have been putting a lot of energy into improving and extending our volunteering scheme recently and the Ethiopian schools who have received these young and not-so-young teachers have been enthusiastic and complimentary about the advantages gained by their keen students.
Whether it is the teaching of English Communication Skills or the coaching of sports activities and computer handling that has been the focus, these volunteer teachers have given (and continue to give) fine service to the young people of Ethiopia.
In February we had eight volunteers in place at the same time and these individuals themselves have had, and are having, a truly memorable and lasting experience. Read on …
School quiz
- Which Englishman led a force of largely Indian soldiers to Ethiopia in 1868?
- Which Ethiopian city is looked on as the fourth holiest site in Islam?
- What would an Ethiopian gentleman do with a shemma?
(Answers at the bottom of the page)
News from Ethiopia
- It was with great distress that we heard of the recent air crash of Ethiopian Airlines flight 409 that plummeted into the sea off Beirut in the Lebanon. Ethiopian Airlines is widely considered to be one of Africa’s best operators and this tragic accident has produced messages of sympathy from all over the world. Read on…
- Ethiopia’s superb athletic record continues apace, with the two stars of long-distance events, Kenenisa Bekele and Tirunesh Dibaba, continuing to show their world-class excellence in races all over the world. Read on…
School linking news
We now have over 50 links between the UK/US and Ethiopian schools and there is all manner of activity going on both in the classrooms and outside. School visits are popular with secondary schools, while teacher visits also confirm and strengthen the friendships. Curriculum materials are provided by Link Ethiopia at all age levels and these enable shared ideas between our very different cultures. Read on...
The New Year and the festival of Meskel
While most parts of the world celebrated the arrival of the New Year about eight weeks ago, the Ethiopian calendar places that event on 11th September in line with the Julian calendar (rather than the Gregorian) which the country follows. This is closely followed by another important September festival in Ethiopia, that of Meskel which commemorates the finding of the True Cross in the 4th century.
Both these calendar events are colourful and happy occasions for a people who know how to celebrate and enjoy their cultural and religious festivals. Read on...
Help us?
As always, if anyone reading this would like to offer us expertise, knowledge and help with our work or if you would like to associate yourself with one of our school projects (classrooms, water, toilets, books, etc) then please get in touch. You can donate via the following link, or by contacting us - details below.
www.linkethiopia.org/donate
Link Ethiopia
Email: chris@linkethiopia.org
Address: Link Ethiopia, St George's Church, Crayford Road, London, N7 0ND, UK
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7241 3544
Registered charity number: 1112390
Website: www.linkethiopia.org
(School quiz answers: (1) Sir Robert Napier, (2) Harar, (3) Wear it!)
(Kids' conundrum answer: The Ethiopian Flag)
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What is green on top, red underneath, and has a bright yellow filling?
