Day 3

Let me quickly just say that the electricity and Internet in Addis could use some work.  We are doing great and meeting new people.  Today we went to observe 3 schools with Albachew and the Dean of Education.  One of the schools focused on Inclusive education and was called CMCC (center for mentally challenged children). It blew me away.  It's far better than anything we have in PEI and is completely self sustaining.  They have different levels depending on the age of the student and the severity of their needs.  They are play based and set up like a Montessori school.  The group aged 16 to 22 focuses on life skills like baking, shining shoes and learns the value of money.  Everything they teach is so practical.  In their facility they employ some graduates ( some help in the kitchen to provide lunch for the staff and students, they milk the cows which is used for the infants as well as use the manure for the giant vegetable garden.) The school also spends a lot of time educating the parents many don't understand what an intellectual disability really is. Anyway it was incredible and I'm so glad we got to see it.  I guess it's time to crack out the headlamp the lights are flickering!  Goodnight.