Summer 2015 – Teaching English in Ethiopia
Bob and Becky Campbell
Our adventure in Ethiopia began with the long plane ride and subsequent two-day trip overland to Metu. We taught an intermediate class of high school students, who must pass a National English Test at the end of the 10th grade to continue in the high school another two years, when they must pass another National English Exam to go to a college or university. They are placed at these schools according to their grades on this test, and the higher education is free although they must provide their room and board. Our students were very eager to learn and a delight to get to know! We taught for three weeks as two of a team of four from the Shenandoah Presbytery. The experience of being a part of this community for three weeks was very rewarding and perhaps we learned more than our students! This is truly a fourth-world country, but one in which the Christians (about 5%) live harmoniously with Muslims (95%). The work of the synods in Addis Ababa, Jimma, Metu, and others are comprised of many, many people who serve hundreds of churches and thousands of members. Their work includes evangelists, ministers, women’s ministries, orphanages, teaching posts, and bible colleges which train leaders to go out to communities throughout the country.
Becky Campbell teaching English to students
The Bedele Church, which is Covenant’s sister church
The Bedele Church
Bob and Becky Campbell in front of The Bedele Church
Worshipers leaving the Metu Church (all of them walked)
Fields between Addis and Metu
Becky walking down the hill on the concrete supports of a future sidewalk to avoid the very muddy street and people and animals
A man cracking big rocks into gravel