Laura

Well, I'm back from Ethiopia! I spent three months with Jordan and we had an awesome time together! It was so cool to be able to see all the things that Jordan has been talking about on the phone and in his emails. After seeing all the things that Jordan has adapted to and dealt with over the past 8 months, I know that I will always have so much respect for him. It is truly amazing to see what he has brought to the people of Yirgalem.

Jordan has alot of projects that he's continuously working on. His favorite project is his permaculture trainings with the PLWHA organization. PLWHA stands for "People Living with HIV/AIDS." It is really important for this group to learn how to make the most of their land and grow as much food as possible, because if they don't meet their caloric intake needs for each day, their HIV could turn into AIDS. Staying as healthy as possible is vital for those infected with the disease. Jordan has been teaching them how to "double dig" their land, use compost, and plant certain fruits and vegetables together, so that they can maximize their harvest. Jordan has taught several trainings, and the PLWHA members are very enthusiastic about learning his methods.

Jordan is also working on a new Beza OVC Village. Beza is the youth center that Jordan works at and the OVC Village will be a place where "Orphans and Vulnerable Children" can live, grow their own food, and earn their own money. Jordan is working on setting up a "meat fattening" IGA (Income-Generating Activity) for them to run and profit from.

Jordan also teaches English regularly at the Cambridge Elementary School in Yirgalem. He occasionally lectures at Furra, the local college. He also started teaching an HIV/AIDS and English class at Beza. He asked us to send him any magazines that he could give the students to improve their English.

Jordan spends most days at Beza planning projects, editing and translating documents, writing proposals, meeting with people, etc.

I've just posted links on the right to some of our photo albums from Ethiopia. I have a ton of things I could write about, but I don't have the time or memory to write about it all now. I will include more stories and info from time to time, as I remember it.

Please keep Jordan in your prayers, that he is able to stay safe and encouraged in the work that he is doing. Jordan loves mail! His email is jordanthomascole@gmail.com and his address is:

Jordan Cole
PO Box 381
Yirgalem, SNNPR
Ethiopia