Main Menu
|
VSO - Sharing Skills, Changing LivesWhere we do it > Ethiopia - 5 minutes with Country Director, Patricia SellickCould you briefly explain VSO’s role in Ethiopia?VSO re-opened its programme in Ethiopia in 1997. We now work towards the development goals of Education, HIV & AIDS, and Participation and Governance and are exploring work in Secure Livelihoods, with on average 120 long-term volunteers in country.What are the main challenges facing VSO Ethiopia?”Tigist” is one of the most common women’s names in Ethiopia and means patience. Working in Ethiopia requires a long-term development vision, and much patience.Ethiopia is a vast and diverse country of at least 74 million people with limited skilled human resources, and in particular very few women in leadership positions. Volunteers should come prepared to incorporate the goals regarding HIV & AIDS and gender into their placements. What have been VSO’s main achievements in Ethiopia?VSO’s main achievements in Ethiopia are that:
How much impact has VSO had on the quality of English language teaching in Ethiopia?Ethiopia was never colonised, and its peoples speak many different languages. Language policy in education is therefore contentious, with children first being taught in their mother tongue, and then in English. VSO has no direct classroom teachers, and has been engaged in improving the quality of the teaching and learning experience overall. These volunteers should have the necessary skills and experience to develop training materials, and to manage human and financial resources.Why do you think international volunteers are important in Ethiopia?International volunteers are important in Ethiopia only if they demonstrate the VSO approach of sharing skills, and are prepared to have their own lives changed as well as to change the lives of their Ethiopian colleagues. As one of the poorest countries in the world, Ethiopia is the recipient of major donor contributions. International volunteers, working alongside Ethiopian colleagues, can ensure that the government’s significant pro-poor budget is spent as effectively as possible.Can you tell me what is unique about the way VSO works in Ethiopia?The Ministry of Education requested VSO to return to work in Ethiopia, and it shares the costs of the education programme. This partnership with government brings with it advantages and disadvantages. It means that the education programme has both breadth and depth: VSO education volunteers are working at the central policy level and in regional education bureaux, teacher education colleges and clusters of schools. At the same time, VSO education volunteers are often frustrated by bureaucratic procurement procedures and the habit of political, rather than meritocratic, appointments.In the HIV & AIDS, and Participation and Governance sectors, VSO Ethiopia is achieving a similar mix of partnerships involving governmental and community based organisations. How has conflict with Eritrea affected VSO’s work in Ethiopia?Much of Eritrean and Ethiopian history is interwoven. It is a tragedy that national staff from the two VSO programmes cannot now even visit each other. Volunteers working in Ethiopia are largely unaffected by the conflict. However, if the conflict were to end, then it would be hoped that both countries would have more resources to put into basic services rather than armaments.What would you say to individuals who were thinking of coming to Ethiopia, in terms of what they should and shouldn’t expect?If you come to Ethiopia, you should expect to be perplexed and amazed daily by the diversity within the country. Muslims and Christians live alongside each other. The Highlands are called the water-tower of Africa and the Danakil is the hottest place on earth. Addis is home to international organisations but there are still donkeys being driven through the streets.Ethiopians still have a preference for their own language, their own music, and their own food – their culture has not been globalised. You should expect to learn the language, enjoy the music and share the food. Ethiopians value volunteers who are friendly and ready to integrate with the local community. Don’t expect to be able to text home, have broadband or have constant hot water (or even constant water). Finally, you should not expect to be able to walk into your office and go straight to your desk: first you have to greet with words, hand-shakes or hug everyone in sight. On a lighter note, can you challenge any common misconceptions about Ethiopia?Most of Ethiopia is very green. Floods are currently more of a cause for alarm than drought.It is not a misconception to think of Ethiopia as the home of Haile Gebre Selassie and other record-breaking long-distance runners. All Ethiopians routinely walk brisk long distances, whether to work or school, and many also practice running. Bangladesh Cambodia Cameroon China Eritrea Ethiopia Gambia Ghana Guyana India Indonesia Kenya Malawi Maldives Mongolia Mozambique Namibia Nepal Nigeria Pakistan Papua New Guinea Philippines Rwanda Sierra Leone South Africa Sri Lanka Tajkistan Tanzania Thailand/Burma Uganda Vanuatu Vietnam Zambia Zimbabwe © VSO unless otherwise stated | Privacy statement | UK registered charity number: 313757
|