We had a great time at the dinner last night with all the staff and trekkers together - sounds like they had a really amazing time.
Today they will visit museum and Trinity Cathedral before coming to us at 11 am for checking out the centre, lunch with the boys, footie with the boys, visit to one lad at vocational training workshop and then off to Mercarto market areas.
Maggie
Wednesday, 28 November 2007
Monday, 26 November 2007
Message from Ann Start
Dear Trekkers, we just want you to know that you are in the thoughts and prayers of many of us as you come to the end of your trek. What a supreme effort you are all making on behalf of the street children of Eastern Africa .
I hope it has been a wonderful experience for you-those of us who climbed Kilimanjaro a couple of years ago found it to be one of the highlights of our lives-despite the dirt the cold and the exhaustion!
I thought you might like to read 2 psalms, the first one is for the street children and the second one is for you.
“I lift up my eyes to the hills, where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
The Maker of heaven & earth.
He will not let your foot slip-
He who watches over you will not slumber;
Indeed, he who watches over Israel
Will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord watches over you-
The Lord is your shade at your right hand;
The sun will not harm you by day,
Nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all harm-
He will watch over your entire life;
The Lord will watch over your coming & going
Both now and forever more.” Ps 121
“Praise the Lord.
Praise, O servants of the Lord,
Praise the name of the Lord.
Let the name of the Lord be praised,
Both now and for evermore.
From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets,
The name of the Lord is to be praised.
The lord is exalted over all the nations,
His glory is above the heavens.
Who is like the Lord our God,
The One who sits enthroned on high,
who stoops down to look
on the heavens and the earth?
He raises the poor from the dust
And lifts the needy from the ash heap;
He seats them with princes,
With the princes of their people.
He settles the barren woman in her home
As a happy mother of children.
Praise the Lord.” Ps 113
Ann Start,
RETRAK HR manager
I hope it has been a wonderful experience for you-those of us who climbed Kilimanjaro a couple of years ago found it to be one of the highlights of our lives-despite the dirt the cold and the exhaustion!
I thought you might like to read 2 psalms, the first one is for the street children and the second one is for you.
“I lift up my eyes to the hills, where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
The Maker of heaven & earth.
He will not let your foot slip-
He who watches over you will not slumber;
Indeed, he who watches over Israel
Will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord watches over you-
The Lord is your shade at your right hand;
The sun will not harm you by day,
Nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all harm-
He will watch over your entire life;
The Lord will watch over your coming & going
Both now and forever more.” Ps 121
“Praise the Lord.
Praise, O servants of the Lord,
Praise the name of the Lord.
Let the name of the Lord be praised,
Both now and for evermore.
From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets,
The name of the Lord is to be praised.
The lord is exalted over all the nations,
His glory is above the heavens.
Who is like the Lord our God,
The One who sits enthroned on high,
who stoops down to look
on the heavens and the earth?
He raises the poor from the dust
And lifts the needy from the ash heap;
He seats them with princes,
With the princes of their people.
He settles the barren woman in her home
As a happy mother of children.
Praise the Lord.” Ps 113
Ann Start,
RETRAK HR manager
'We survived!'
Today at 9.45am, I received a phonecall from the trekkers!
They exclaimed "We survived!"
They all summited Ras Dashen! I was told it was tough, and for some, the hardest thing they've ever done!
They were on their way by bus from Debark to Gonder for hot showers, fresh clothes and comfy beds!
They exclaimed "We survived!"
They all summited Ras Dashen! I was told it was tough, and for some, the hardest thing they've ever done!
They were on their way by bus from Debark to Gonder for hot showers, fresh clothes and comfy beds!
Wednesday, 21 November 2007
From all of RETRAK
Andy Williams, International Director of RETRAK, would like to send his greetings to trekkers and families and continued thanks for what they are doing.
Please be assured that all RETRAK staff and trustees are closely following the groups progress, and are thinking of them daily.
Please be assured that all RETRAK staff and trustees are closely following the groups progress, and are thinking of them daily.
Phonecall from the Simien Mountains!
Today at 10.30, I received a phonecall from Libby!
She said she was standing looking over the most spectacular scenery, the group are well although Nick said I should book hotels not tents for next time! They've seen baboons, it's very cold at night but sunny in the day - not a cloud in the sky!
Don't you just wish you were there!
Remember though, that all are trekking to improve the lives of street children and have all challenged themselves to reach their fantastic fundraising targets before now challenging themselves to climb the highest mountain in Ethiopia!
She said she was standing looking over the most spectacular scenery, the group are well although Nick said I should book hotels not tents for next time! They've seen baboons, it's very cold at night but sunny in the day - not a cloud in the sky!
Don't you just wish you were there!
Remember though, that all are trekking to improve the lives of street children and have all challenged themselves to reach their fantastic fundraising targets before now challenging themselves to climb the highest mountain in Ethiopia!
Tuesday, 20 November 2007
From Dee
Well we have arrived safe and sound. Addis ababa is something else......We are now in Gonder after a 5am start, its amazing here and have just packed my bag ready to start the trek tommorrow (tuesday) ....deep breath and yes the altitude effected most people yesterday!!!! I cannot believe I am here but that will be short lived when I am in my sleeping bag tomorrow night!!!
From Dave in Gonder
I'm in Gondar in a great Hotel with fantastic views of the Simien Mountains that we begin climbing tomorrow (tuesday) so won't contact you again for some days.
We hope to send txt messages which Karla will put on this blog...
My cold has almost gone.
Dave
We hope to send txt messages which Karla will put on this blog...
My cold has almost gone.
Dave
Saturday, 17 November 2007
Dave in Addis, Libby in Lalibela
I’ve had more contact with Dave and Libby today!
Libby just phoned from Lalibela!!! They are having a fantastic time sightseeing, spending time in the local market and seeing the old rock hewn churches, although Wendy said a few have got diarrhoea and one sunburn! She said they met someone who has just got back from the Simien Mountains and it reached -10 degrees C at night! Very chilly! The trekkers need to make sure they are wrapped up warm at night time – the key is layering! It’s really hot in the sun though, cool in the shade.
Dave said it was really cold at night in Addis and Maggie has a cold! The group will need to be prepared to drink lots of sugar in their hot drinks and keep energy levels up with Pepsi and sugary drinks. This will help them acclimatise.
Dave and Maggie will be meeting the 2nd group at Bole airport tomorrow morning to greet them and go to the hotel. They are looking forward to meeting the group!
Libby just phoned from Lalibela!!! They are having a fantastic time sightseeing, spending time in the local market and seeing the old rock hewn churches, although Wendy said a few have got diarrhoea and one sunburn! She said they met someone who has just got back from the Simien Mountains and it reached -10 degrees C at night! Very chilly! The trekkers need to make sure they are wrapped up warm at night time – the key is layering! It’s really hot in the sun though, cool in the shade.
Dave said it was really cold at night in Addis and Maggie has a cold! The group will need to be prepared to drink lots of sugar in their hot drinks and keep energy levels up with Pepsi and sugary drinks. This will help them acclimatise.
Dave and Maggie will be meeting the 2nd group at Bole airport tomorrow morning to greet them and go to the hotel. They are looking forward to meeting the group!
Friday, 16 November 2007
Message from Dave!
We arrived ok after a good flight. Everyone arrived in good spirits. We were met by the Peregrine rep and Maggie. The last I saw of them they were packing their stuff into a minibus.
After dropping my bags at the Yilma Hotel and picking up Jo, we went to the project site where the boys were in the middle of lessons. It was great to meet the staff - all very committed. The set up is very impressive.
We ate lunch with the boys and then played table tennis and volleyball. The boys left about 2pm to go to 'work' at the nearby bus station where they earn money carrying bags for folk getting off the busses.
I managed to get a 1GB memory card for my phone so hope to take lots of video on the trek - as long as my battery lasts.
I'm interviewing the first by to be placed in an apprenticeship today. He's working in a metal fabrication business.
After dropping my bags at the Yilma Hotel and picking up Jo, we went to the project site where the boys were in the middle of lessons. It was great to meet the staff - all very committed. The set up is very impressive.
We ate lunch with the boys and then played table tennis and volleyball. The boys left about 2pm to go to 'work' at the nearby bus station where they earn money carrying bags for folk getting off the busses.
I managed to get a 1GB memory card for my phone so hope to take lots of video on the trek - as long as my battery lasts.
I'm interviewing the first by to be placed in an apprenticeship today. He's working in a metal fabrication business.
Message from Libby!
"Have arrived. Everything's great. Like a different world. We are 3 hours ahead of your time. Great weather. X"
The first group depart on Wednesday 14th November!
The first 'Rooftop of Africa' group departed for Addis Ababa on Wednesday 14th November...
The group included Libby, Martin, Nick, Bill, Wendy & Dave.
Dave will head to the RETRAK project site while the others will set out on a tour of Bahir Dar, Lalibela, Axum and then meet up with the rest of the trekkers in Gonder on Monday 19th November!
The group included Libby, Martin, Nick, Bill, Wendy & Dave.
Dave will head to the RETRAK project site while the others will set out on a tour of Bahir Dar, Lalibela, Axum and then meet up with the rest of the trekkers in Gonder on Monday 19th November!
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