Fog! For the first time a huge cloud has descended over Gondar. The cloud itself seems to be half dust, but I’ve become so used to seeing across to the centre of town from our house that I’ve spent some time just staring at the change in scenery.

I finally made it back to work this morning (Friday) after a week of feeling totally crappy and wiped out. The fever has stopped and I’m getting some energy back, so the antibiotics appear to be authentic! I didn’t stay long at work, partly because there wasn’t much I could do and also because I’m still pretty tired. What was nice was the obvious concern shown by my colleagues about how I was feeling. Being ill here is a much bigger deal than at home, as the basic medical facilities make a serious illness truly life threatening. So, when you are ill, people here take notice and are pleased to see that you’re OK.

While at the college, I poked my head into the training being delivered to cluster supervisors from all over Amhara Region on how to use the Science Kits in schools. We managed to buy eight new kits last week and more than one hundred supervisors were coming to the end of a week of training on what you can do with the kits. I was impressed and everyone I saw was clearly enjoying putting bits of equipment together to do simple science demonstrations. It doesn’t take much to get people enthusiastic and I must get on with visiting schools and working directly with teachers. I want to tap into and foster that interest in doing something better and more exciting. I think being housebound for five days and therefore not having to deal with Ethiopia has helped my mood and motivation. Being ill has its advantages perhaps.