Presidential Visit

 

I don't believe I've ever met a foreign dignitary…until this week.  Last Saturday Butajira, the town about 8 km away, hosted a millennium celebration.   (Ethiopia doesn't just celebrate a new millennium one day – they're having a year-long party!)  Unbeknownst to us, the President of Ethiopia was their guest of honor.   Sometime late Thursday, 2 days before his visit to Butajira, word was spreading around Project Mercy that the President requested to stay here rather than a hotel in town.   So you can imagine the frantic preparation that all the staff and some of the older kids had to do. Lasagna noodles were made from scratch; flowers were cut and put in the rooms; furniture was moved from various locations.

Just like in the States, the President doesn't travel alone.  He had an entourage of about 20 secret service and army guys who accompanied him.   An SUV full of them came on Friday and checked out the place. They came back again early Saturday morning and everything seemed to check out ok.  The president arrived in the afternoon, and all the children were lined up clapping to welcome him.  We didn't even catch a glimpse of him at that time as he was ushered into his room to rest before the festivities.  

We weren't sure if we would have the opportunity to see how the local people celebrate a new millennium, but thankfully we got a ride there.   Not only did we get a ride, we were ushered into the front row, about 10 feet down from the President! Oh yes, the token ferengis – myself, Scott, and 3 ladies from Washington state who had just arrived - 5 white people in a sea of Ethiopians.  There had to be well over 25,000 people lining the streets and surrounding the field.  And it was all captured on camera…about a dozen members of the press lined up with microphones and video cameras…so I'm pretty sure we were on TV somewhere in Ethiopia. 

They first had an unveiling of a huge billboard promoting improved livelihoods and the end of poverty for Gurages (the local people group).   Then several governmental officials gave some speeches, the President spoke, a marching band played, a group of ladies did a traditional dance, and a music group got the crowd hopping.   It was a very exciting cultural experience.

The President spent the night at the compound, along with his people.  The next morning, as we were getting ready for church, someone knocked on our tuckel door and said the President wanted to greet us.   We all went in and Marta introduced us individually.  She explained to him the fruit project and he asked me if these trees that we brought are proven to grow here, and which ones have the best potential.   Talk about being put on the spot…I responded that these species had been grown in similar climates and had done well.  I said that avocados great for their nutritional value, and mangoes and papayas are practical because they can be preserved.   These are the 3 trees that they plan to distribute in the community, so I figured they should be highlighted.  The President may be over 80 years old, but his mind is very sharp and his English is perfect.  

Ethiopia has a Prime Minister, overseeing Parliament, and the President, who is more of a dignitary.  He has served in this role since 2001.