Getting ready to go to Ethiopia!

"Ahhhh! SO Exciting!" These are the words that my friend Meena Rajulu used when she so kindly set up this blog for me to share my experiences as I get set for my upcoming adventures in Ethiopia. She chose the photo of me carrying an air mattress in my winter parka - a photo taken in the winter months during my year in New York City! Since I still don't have a permanent place to live in Addis, I hope the photo does not foreshadow my accommodation situation once I get there. Thanks so much Meena for setting up this blog! You are the best!

So, let's start at the very beginning, because as Maria said in the Sound of Music, that's "a very good place to start."

I found out in the first week of June that I would be heading to a foreign country for a 6 month placement through CIDA/CBA Young Professionals International Program [CIDA is the Canadian International Development Agency and the CBA is the Canadian Bar Association] to work with a human rights NGO [Non-Governmental Organization - the acronyms are non-stop] in this country. During the last week of June, I found out that my placement would be with the Ethiopian Bar Association (EBA) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. I have never been to Africa before and I am completely thrilled to be going to Ethiopia! I have heard such wonderful things about Addis and after having spoken with my wonderful supervisor at the EBA, I am really looking forward to this opportunity! From my conversation with my supervisor and the information I was given from CIDA/CBA, it looks like I might be working on some of the following projects:

* Access to Justice Project: Legal Aid Framework: Developing Policies and Procedures, Legal Aid Networking
* Self-Regulating Profession
* Women Lawyers Initiative: Female Practitioner Recruitment
* Community Legal Education
* Fundraising Initiatives

Needless to say, things have moved quite quickly since I first found out about the program in early June. I was working at a great law firm in Saskatoon, SK and had to wrap up my projects there before the end of June, so that I would have enough time to prepare for my departure. There have been a series of immunizations/vaccines, tablets and fizzy drinks (I never knew there were so many immunizations and this is coming from someone who has travelled to India so much growing up). I got the VISA and am all packed and set to go (Thanks Mom for helping (i.e. doing) the packing - you are the best!).

It is interesting the reactions that this move has elicited among my family and friends. Everyone has been unequivocally supportive, with the typical BE SAFE warnings that pretty much go with the territory of being an only child in a close-knit East Indian family.

My parents have been wonderful. I have a feeling they are scared out of their minds that I am moving so far away, yet they put on a brave face and have been so completely loving, supportive, and encouraging. I am truly blessed to call them my parents and even more blessed to call them my friends. We have been playing a daily round of gin rummy (Cards) until I leave and on occasion, I have a feeling they are letting me win. My dad has been super keen and found all of these You Tube videos on Addis, so I am getting a sense of what the city might look like and it looks like a great place. My friends have been great - such great advice, funny stories, and lots of laughs.

OK - back to the story. We (and by we I mean the 14 or so of us in this program who are going to various legal placements around the world in countries such as Laos, Jamaica, Ethiopia, South Africa, Tanzania, Namibia, Guyana, and Colombia - I think that is all of them) had a week of training in Ottawa in early July and there I had a chance to meet the group of fellow interns, from the CBA, CIDA/CBA, CIDA, and non-CIDA/CBA groups - needless to say that we fall into many categories. They are without question some of the kindest, funniest, most intelligent people I have met. We had a blast in Ottawa and I look forward to meeting you all again during my travels over the next few months. Also, super special thanks to Al Cook, our fearless leader, advisor, and all around fabulous Program Director who takes such good care of us!

So, this post has become long and rambly and unintentionally verbose, so I will stop. Oh right - when do I leave? Let's see.....I leave August 7, 2008 for Addis and start work with the EBA on August 11! I will post again once I am there with my first impressions and hilarious travel stories. What is that old saying "an embarassment of riches" - flip it on its head and you will have a clear picture of a typical day in my life - "rich in embarassment." I usually do something embarassing on a daily basis. I promise to keep you in the loop.

I throw the invitation out to all of you to come and visit me in Addis! You are always welcome and I look forward to having visitors!

Enjoy the rest of the summer and keep in touch!

Talk soon,

Pras