Yesterday this little project had a good day…

We postponed our departure from Dar by a day in the hope that we would get hold of Habitat Tanzania. With a date in mind as to when we would like to back in SA, it was difficult to postpone the cycling as it would mean that we would be behind schedule.

Our decision was indeed justified however, when we managed to make contact with Scott, the National Director. We hurriedly made our way out to their office to learn a little more about what they are doing for the people of Tanzania. It was an enlightening afternoon spent learning how Habitat Tanzania has adapted to the needs of the the people it serves.

There is very little time available before we leave Dar Es Salaam, so I will be brief…

After listening to inspiring stories about all the people HFH Tanzania has helped, we went to have some lunch with Scott next door. After the usual ugali (mielie pap) and vegetables, we stopped in at the ATM, drew some money and made our very first contribution to a home for a family in need!

It was so exciting drawing that money, knowing the potential those notes possessed to make a a real difference to a family who could really do with a helping hand. In the end, we chose a family of 6.

David Damas Kilijongo is 43 years old. He is married to Roida Alfonce. They have four children,Rose (16 years old), Boniface (14 years old), Happy (11 years old) and Gabriel (9 years old). They live in a house which measures about 24 square meters and parts of the house are unroofed and without windows. This presents a number of problems. The teenaged children are sharing a room with both parents and their younger siblings. Living conditions are cramped and the fact that doors, windows and roofs are missing means that they are vulnerable to a number of dangers(malaria, robbery being just two).

With our donation,the family is now able to complete the house. Their teenage children will also get a room where they can enjoy the privacy they need at this sensitive time in their lives.

It was so rewarding handing over that money, knowing that it is going to do good things for good people!

Today, as we reluctantly say goodbye to the wonderful people at The Southern Sun, we can leave with a smile on our faces and joy in our hearts. Through Africa For Africa is achieving its goals-making a positive real impact on the lives of others!!

We (and when I say ‘we’ I refer to myself, Davey and all of you who have supported us and continued to support us) have begun to make a difference. We, are proving that Africa is anything but the dark continent. We are humanity, giving of ourselves for the sake of humanity!

Today is Friday, today is a great day. Celebrate Friday and your weekend, knowing that your love, enthusiasm and empathy are all working to improve the lives of David, Roida, Rose, Boniface, Happy and Gabriel. Know that YOU are making a difference and empowering a family to achieve goals they may only ever have dreamed of…

In the words of the Kings Of Leon song attached to that slideshow you may have watched,  ”Crow like the rooster.”

Much love…

Addis Ababa to the Ethiopia/Kenya border will always hold powerful memories for us; for so many reasons. None more so than for all the outstanding people we met!

We spent almost a month negotiating the challenges Ethiopia threw at us. It was a month which tested us in so many ways, and there were many times when the kindness of those we met, did so much to make a difference in our all too often insulated world of bicycle, food, bed, bicycle, food, bed.

On what proved to be one of our toughest days on the road, it was a group of fun-loving Ethiopian guys who soon had us forget about all that had transpired on the road to this small town. Feeling rather battle-weary and exhausted, we were only too happy when these guys invited us to join them as they celebrated Easter Monday!Not only were we treated to drinks and food, but we were also royally entertained by these characters! Once the festivities were done, they even walked around town with us, helping us find a hotel.

As the days passed, so we continued making steady progress in the direction of Kenya,we reached the sleepy town of Yabello! We planned to take a day off here. It proved to be a astute decision!We made some great friends who treated us to dinner, gave us easter eggs, fancy cheese and biscuits and sachets of Jungle Oats. After a month of tormented stomachs, treats such as Jungle Oats are treasured gifts. Davey and I have been known to be hungry at the end of a day’s cycling. I’m not sure Tony, Gina and co. knew what they were in for when the menus were placed in front of us! It was such a treat to be able to chat and learn more about their lives in Addis!

And then we met our South African birder friends! A group of about 20 South Africans had traveled to Ethiopia for some quality bird-watching. What a great bunch of people.They were so enthusiastic about our trip,the ladies were awfully concerned for our well-being and we were both given hugs on behalf of our moms. On our day off, the men were keen to hear all about the bikes and the adventures along the journey so far! We were also given a fantastic antibiotic which did wonders for the stomach. Finally farting with confidence!!!

When we departed the next morning(with a new SA flag, some delicious snacks and our priceless antibiotics), we were given a royal send off as they lined the road and blasted their hooters as we cycled away! What a way to start the day.

The next day we crossed the border into Kenya! It was with great joy and excitement that we began a new adventure. Then came the reality.The political situation in northern Kenya meant that we would take public transport to Nairobi! Negotiating a price and vehicle took the best part of 2 days.Once we had inhaled and squeezed into the long wheel base Toyota with the other 15 passengers,we prepared for the first part of the journey!The next 10 hours saw us cover just 400km in what was quite possibly the worst travel experience of our lives.

This odyssey(which would take us another day)was made so much better by 2 Kenyan guys traveling with us. When we stopped in the middle of nowhere for lunch, Moses introduced us to some delicious Kenyan food and treated us too.We spent the rest of the bumpy ride getting to know Moses and Moses.That night,they helped us find a hotel and had dinner with us.In the morning, as we began the final leg of our  journey,Moses and Moses found us a shuttle bus with roof racks so that we did not have to take the bus. They traveled with us and communicated with our hosts in Nairobi as to where we could meet. Then, upon arrival in Nairobi, they bought us lunch and waited with us while we waited for our hosts. One of our 2 new friends still had another day of travel before he got home to his wife and daughter. Absolutely smashing humans!!

And then we met our hosts. An entire blog entry could be written on them. Gary, Michele and Stuart Barlow are truly generous, giving people. The title of this blog entry could not be more fitting than for this wonderful family. We have been fed like kings, driven all over town and made to feel like their home is ours. And to think that we met them for the first time on Saturday!

I have mentioned before that nothing is more touching than humanity giving of itself for humanity’s sake! These are just a few examples of spectacular humans giving of themselves for other humans.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Much love…

I am sitting in the Taitu Hotel in Addis Ababa.As I type away on my computer,the time is 9 am.At least for you and I it is 9am.In Ethiopia however,the time is 3 am-the clock goes through a 12 hour cycle twice a day here.
As I continue to type,I remind myself that we currently find ourselves in the year 2011.At least for you and I it is 2011.In Ethiopia however,it is 2003.
Us,from other African countries,owe some of our history to previous colonial powers.Ethiopia,as you will be told by most Ethiopians,is the only country never to be colonised.

Yes,things are different here!And there’s no ignoring it.

The moment we crossed into Ethiopia from Sudan,we were met by sights we had not seen for many weeks.Namely objects containing colours other than brown or white,women so scantily clad that we could see their chins, and some lovely additions to our daily eating routines.

Sudan was a beautiful experience we will never forget,but Ethiopia offered us so many new choices and sights.

Our first few days were spent ploughing down mounds of spaghetti like the Italian weightlifting team!We also drank as much of our new alternative to water-fresh avocado juice-as we could possibly find!

Another fact playing on our minds was that we were due for some big mountains.The first few days threw up rolling hills but not much to cry about,just yet.

And then…there was a whole lot to cry about!!

Our first major climb will remain with us for many years.We ate breakfast in a small town at the foot of a mountain! Fuelled by the very stuff that paved the way for the Roman Empire,we attacked the mountains like true Roman warriors, as if Brutus stood behind Caesar at the summit,ready to destroy our beloved emperor.

4 hours later,we were sure Brutus had completed his dastardly deed.We had cycled 9km!It really did feel like our empire was crumbling down around us.
Thankfully,once we did summit,the view from the top blew any feelings of remorse for our fallen leader away!We were on our way to establishing a new empire,run by smelly boys with skinny upper bodies and bulging thighs!

While we did enjoy the odd descent,we were heading in an upward direction and found ourselves spending long hours in the saddle as our legs pedalled furiously for very little gain.Our lives were made just a tad more difficult by the kids we met in every town.
Now kids are so easy to love,we all know that.It goes without saying however,that most kids are not known for hurling rocks,nails and old food at people passing by on bicycles.
As previously mentioned,things are different here.

At least the prospect of being hit by any number of sharp objects had us temporarily forgetting about the ‘deep burn’ in our thighs.
The projectiles however,were not scary enough to rid us of the evil causing mayhem with our stomachs.A number of you have seen the video of Davey on the side of the road.Any number of passers-by were not going to halt that purging ceremony!
We had the good sense not to film my episode.Suffice to say,that had a kid with a rock seen me squatting on the edge of the national road with a pair of boxers my only way of cleaning the mess,I doubt whether they would have had the stomach to keep their hands away from their noses as opposed to throwing anything at me.

It is only right to make light of the challenges we have faced in Ethiopia:
While there is much poverty and scarce food at times,it is a country filled with enthusiastic,welcoming people(adults) who are only to happy to engage with the smelly cyclists. We have met so many interesting individuals here.From the men who were proudly giving their salary to the government to help fund a dam project,to the numerous teachers who have enlightened us as to the finer details of Ethiopian culture.

While Ethiopia has many reasons to feel sorry for itself,the people do not allow themselves such indulgences.They are fiercely proud of their heritage and refreshingly optimistic about their future!And rightly so!It is a country with so much to offer!And most importantly,it is a country full of enthusiastic,proactive human beings.

In closing it must be mentioned that Davey and I felt truly blessed to finally meet with our major cause,Habitat For Humanity. The individuals working there were gracious and humble,despite the great work they are doing.Please read the entry below regarding our visit to their office.

Davey and I are also grateful to two of of our major sponsors, who provided us with the means to get here and meet with our friends at Habitat, as well as documenting our visit through pictures!Many thanks to both The Robert Group and the team at Sheffield Manor for their contribution.

We leave Addis Ababa in the morning.We have about 800km before we reach the Ethiopia/Kenya border.We are under the impression that we will now cycle gradually downhill.We are also hoping that there are less loose rocks and nails lying around close to the road.

More than anything however,we are hoping that our efforts on the bicycle contribute to the building of a home for a family in need…

Much love to you all.

Earlier today,Davey and I met with the Habitat For Humanity team in Ethiopia.Finally meeting with the major cause we are representing was a real honour and had me squeezing down a lump in my throat.

We sat down and learned of the housing situation in Ethiopia.It goes without saying that there are people all over the world without adequate housing.This is a well-known fact and it is truly tragic.
The difference today however,was sitting down with people working to alleviate the housing crisis in their country, and listening to their personal stories.
Here was a team of dedicated individuals,working tirelessly to improve the lives of their fellow citizens.When one hears these personal stories and the reality ‘on the ground’,it is a sobering experience.

Kebede Abebe,the National Director,Yoseph Gedamu and Dereje Gebremeskel sat with us to tell us more.

Habitat Ethiopia faces challenges which are unique to Ethiopia and it was enlightening to hear about all the positive work being done.
In order to receive a house from Habitat,the recipient must meet certain criteria.The one aspect which stands out here is that the recipient must be willing to participate in the building process as well as in a saving initiative(facilitated by Habitat) geared towards helping finance the house.

The recipient family must also live below a certain income level(Please make sure you are seated while you read what follows). In Ethiopia the maximum(family) income permitted in order to be granted a house is 900 Birr. 900 Birr equates to less than R450 or about $56!!Per month!!To think that a family can survive on so little is simply unbelievable.

Another entrenched principle in Habitat’s policy is that of community involvement.This really hit home with us as Through Africa For Africa has always been about getting our community involved in order to make a difference.

When beginning a project,Habitat involves all the beneficiaries in the building and saving process.The people help build their neighbours’ houses and the same is done in return. The saving initiative,while monitored by Habitat,is maintained by elected community leaders.

Habitat Ethiopia also provides other unique services.They facilitate the improvement of kitchens,build potable water facilities and community toilets.

Another element is that of Vulnerable Group Housing.This project refers mainly to providing housing for those affected by leprosy.Most of us reading this are truly blessed to not know the realities of leprosy,but one of the harshest realities is the stigma attached to leprosy.This stigma is misguided and much of this comes down to being ignorant of the truth.
Habitat is working tirelessly to integrate those affected by leprosy into society,through the Vulnerable Group Housing project.

Today was a real learning experience.Habitat is doing so much good work in Ethiopia and I could carry on typing for hours about all they are doing.Those of us however,who can empathise,are already able to understand the severity of the situation.Those of us who can empathise,are also able to identify when it is time to get involved.

In closing,it is our responsibility to give you the facts and show you how easy it is for us to contribute to making a tangible,lasting difference to a family in need.

Habitat For Humanity Ethiopia accomplishments as of November 2010:

*Built 1789 houses
*Distributed 3079 mosquito nets
*Improved 775 kitchens
*Built potable water facilities for 1092 families
*Built 57 communal toilets
*Organized 190 saving groups with savings in excess of 4 million Birr

The total number of families served by Habitat Ethiopia is 3713.

Mr Abebe indicated that the average family consisted of about 5 people.Habitat Ethiopia has thus contributed to improving the lives of as many as 18 000 people in need.

We asked Mr Abebe what it would cost to build a house for a family in Ethiopia.We were both left astounded by his answer…

Just 30 000 Birr is what it takes to build a house for a family of 5 that will protect and house a family for generations to come.That is less than R15 000.

What would give you more satisfaction?A R15 000 holiday or TV, or a home for a family in need?

Think about that carefully. R15 000 for a home,for a family,for life…