February 3, 2009 Up-date

Hi Everyone:

Today Seppo, Erik and Satu were teaching the children of Bright Futures how to make hemp necklaces and bracelets with beads. These kids were wonderful to work with and they responded with amazing desire to learn and untapped skill. Some of the older teen boys and girls were exceptional. As they finished their work they all wanted to be photographed wearing it on their necks or wrists. It was an intense teaching time (around 65 children ages 5 - 18). Once again the children lined up for a little candy treat and they were so appreciative. As we left the mountainside perch to descend to the place where we could catch our line taxi we all felt that the effort was worth it and maybe would make some small contribution to these children's futures. The sun setting in the horizon over the distant mountains gave us some sense of hope. We will return their a few times before we leave to do other activities including coloring and singing. We hope to take all of the photos and compile a simple slide show for the children to sit and watch. I think it will be a big hit as everyone loves to see themselves in a picture.

Tomorrow Erik and Seppo will begin at the Jazz school and Satu and I will go to Lallilta with Marsha that Satu has written about before.

Satu had been eyeing a restaurant from her line taxi rides for several weeks called The Island Breeze and tonight when we were finished we tried it out. It was amazing, run by an Ethiopian-American man and his American wife. the meal with tip only cost $15. We ended up chatting for quite awile as we seemed to have much in common. Because we chatted too long we were late meeting the boys. They were starting to worry about us and gave us quite a lecture for being late when we finally arrived. Anyway can you imagine going out for a very nice dining experience for only $15 including a generous tip. So far all our dining out experiences have been excellent. One that served 5 cost only $10 to the most expensive at $37.

We had to take two line taxis to get home from eating and halfway through the second one the driver looked at everybody and said his taxi had gone to sleep and we all had to get out and walk or find another taxi. I think he had run out of gas or had a flat tire. Anyway Satu was happy because it gave her another chance to power and walk and force me to keep up.

Well that's all for now tonight catch you tomorrow.

Satu and David