The rainy season was upon us and the travel in this area was very challenging. Even the Isuzu trucks which are the lifeblood of the villages found the road conditions difficult; their usual cargo included 20 to 30 strong countrymen who were available to pull them out of most difficulties and made transport possible.
Most mornings, we drove through rain and occasional fog to reach the woreda health centres but our return trips in the afternoon were often in sunshine. This is lovely green equatorial rainforest with waterfalls, monkeys and fields of maize. The maize crop was being harvested and I had the opportunity to sample local maize roasted over small charcoal fires at the side of the road. Tasty if a bit chewy and in an area where the usual diet was largely carnivore, a welcome addition to the diet.
Illubabor region is quite diverse and because of the road conditions and distances, we split our time between Mettu and Bedele. Mettu is the larger market town with trade in local foods and wood products, a hospital and large teacher's college. The town has been blessed with significant support from Menschen fur Menschen, a German/Austrian foundation that built the hospital and some local health facilities, installed water systems in nearby villages and runs a wonderful local children's home. We had the great pleasure of spending some time with the children and staff who are their 'families'. My visits with them are one of the highlight of my time in Ethiopia - a happy and hopeful place to call home.
To the west of Mettu, we drove past a tea plantation and we able to purchase organic fragrant tea from the side of the road. Now I know that while coffee is grown in the shade, tea is grown in full sun.
My days consisted of conducting active case search and assessing immunization programs at health centres. During most of my visits, we took time to 'sensitize' the health centre staff on surveillance for AFP, measles and neonatal tetanus. Many newly trained health extension workers who will work in the villages were being oriented so I was delighted to be able to include them in my short presentations. As always, I continue to be impressed with health workers dedication to public health.
