Early post project thoughts!

Greetings! I have to firstly apologise as I haven't had a second to think, let alone write since leaving Johannesburg nearly four weeks ago!! It was a race back to addis, in just over a week, and we had an unfortunate incident in Arba Minch (South Ethiopia), which delayed things further. Luckily everything was okay in the end, and I arrived at my new home in Addis Ababa just a few days behind schedule.


Since arriving in Addis, it has been none stop!! I have had to contend with visa/work permit issues, and will indeed be continuing my travels to Djibouti next month to resolve them. I basically have to leave Ethiopia! Our Director is here this week, and we have had a packed full schedule, with our main focus being supporting students with interview technique, presentation skills, and general approach for their applications to the New York University Abu Dhabi, where we currently have three EEF students on full scholarships worth $250,000. We are extremely hopeful of getting at least another two in this year, giving them arguably the richest and most diverse university experience available on the planet. Not bad considering where these young Ethiopians were 4 or 5 years ago. This years and next years selections include some students with such massive potential to achieve great things. Particularly the girls gave inspirational presentations on issues as difficult and complex as female circumcision, HIV/Aids in women, and traditional domestic practices in the Hammer Tribe of Ethiopia. The strength they showed at such a young age to talk openly about subjects that many leaders fail to address was truly wonderful to see!! Maybe the future of change in Ethiopia, and Africa.


In addition to this we have also had to contend with a couple of personal issues with some of our students. One boy, we recently discovered has been suffering from a severe bout of depression, and has been missing school as a result. This has stemmed from an extremely difficult family background, and has also resulted in an eating disorder, and a virtual incapability to eat in front of others. He is a wonderfully polite, kind, and honest boy, however, and also incredibly intelligent. We are working closely with him to resolve these issues, and already he is showing great signs of progress. There are always going to be such psychological problems within our student base, as a result of their backgrounds, and the foreign environment that our sponsorship scheme puts them into. In 7 years, we have yet to fail a student, however, and we don't intend on this happening at any time in the future. Another of our students, has suffered a lot since losing his mother two years ago, whilst he was sleeping next to her in the same bed. We can't even begin to imagine what he has been through, but again, we will offer him all the support he needs to grow into an adult with an excellent academic record, and ability to approach issues and difficulties in a positive and progressive way. The EEF hostel is truly an inspirational place to be, and I highly suggest you come out and pay me a visit at some point, to support, and see our work for yourself.


Now, onto the main subject of this email.... the 'Real Way Down'. Firstly, apologies for rambling so much about my new venture, but I have already become completely immersed in it. This does not mean, however, that my focus and passion towards 'Patchwork World' has faltered at all. My decision to take this position in April, was based on an enthusiasm to obtain more direct experience of grass roots development, whilst playing an active role in the next stage of progression of a charity with hugely impressive foundations. Everything I learn here, and the contacts I make, will be put to use in the development of Patchwork World in the future.


The 'Real Way Down'... what can I say? I owe a massive debt of gratitude to so many people that it is impossible to even begin to mention individuals. I had a vision a long time ago now, almost it seems in a different life, and never could I imagine the incredible support everyone offered me in achieving it. It is true to say that the journey wasn't a 6 month expedition, but rather a 5-year long journey, and indeed most of the difficult moments happened even before our vehicle's tyres had begun to roll. At many times, I felt an inability to achieve what I had set out to achieve. My self esteem was fleeting, and at times I felt like I had been kidding myself. In truth, without the support of so many people, I would simply have given up long before the physical journey began. It was not only tangible support, in terms of the website, fund raising events. donations etc, but more so, the incredible moral support I received almost constantly throughout the duration of the last half decade, and for this I am eternally grateful.


I haven't really had time to process the entire project yet, but all I can say is that I hope it has been part of the people following us, as it has been for both me, Phil, and Cindy. It is impossible to describe how I feel now having reached South Africa, and maybe I will have to leave that until I have a few weeks to think it all through. One thing which is for sure, however, is that the journey rolls on. It is all part of the one same vision, and I truly hope that one day this vision becomes a part of a greater vision, which truly helps to activate change and progression. We have seen many horrendous sufferings during this journey, but what has been overwhelming is the strength and hope in the face of such adversities. Still, it is true that some things were just unacceptable, and indeed many of these were in Europe, not as far from home as you may think. Africa has suffered now from disease, famine, poor education, violent leaders, and a lack of many human rights and freedoms for a number of years. There is, however, a sense of change in the air, and the young people who will be the leaders of tomorrow, have much more of a sense of equality, freedom, and human rights, than their predecessors. Progression is at the core of many of their philosophies, and truly I can see a much more prosperous future for a continent, which has had the lion's share of problems in modern history. As for the Middle East, and indeed Northern Africa, change is clear to see for everyone. The Syrian crisis, which threatened to end our journey, rages on, and with the International community merely playing a spectator's role, whose to know when a resolution will come. One thing is clear, however, and that is that people are prepared to fight until the bitter end for the rights and freedoms that we as Western Europeans take for granted. We can only hope that the next wave of Middle Eastern and Arab African leaders rebuild their respective nations on foundations of equality, and not greed. There are still many issues, however, back at home in the UK and Western Europe, and sometimes they are even more complex and subtle in their nature. There are still millions of people who fall outside the protective gloves of such nations, and there is a need for a deep and thorough investigation into how we can limit this. Many people would suggest that there will always be those who suffer, and those who prosper, and perhaps to a certain extent they are right. As an idealist, however, and a great believer in humanity, I don't accept this is the case, and believe we should work towards a future where everyone has access to the potential of a prosperous and happy existence on the land mass that we all call home.


The world is a small place, I truly feel that way now, and the differences so minute and subtle, that to an outsiders eye we would all be deemed to be the same. Religion, race, tradition, and shoe size apart, we all have the same foundations at our core, and to focus on this in a world where leaders are determined to create divisions, is a challenge which we should all strive towards. For too long our world has been under the 'management' of weak men, driven by fear, greed, and self importance, when truly it is the people who have the power to create, progress, and develop our world. To this end, we must focus on education, women's rights, and the empowerment of individuals ahead of governments and corporations, in addition to providing the basic necessities for human life. There are those driven by power, destruction, and complete domination of the world, there are however many more driven by a passion to share, unite, and live in peace. The 'Real Way Down' rewarded us so much for our belief in humanity, and truly despite passing through several regions suffering from internal struggles, namely Syria, Egypt, and Sudan, we were much more aware of the kindness, hospitality, and great spirit of everybody we met. This was indeed the greatest lesson in not basing opinions on news stories or television, but rather to form opinions based on individual experiences, and I encourage everyone else to do the same.

All I have left to say at this point, is that I owe a huge amount of gratitude to each and every person who helped along the way, even if it was just to tell a friend about what we were doing. All of the people we met along the way were such inspirations, and again their belief in our project was humbling. There is one person who I have to thank ahead of everyone else, and that is 'video monkey', Phil. Without him the 'Real Way Down' would have been nothing. It would have been one slightly misguided young man on a kamikaze mission of self discovery. Phil made it so much more than that. We were at each others side constantly for 6 months, and rarely, if ever did we fall out. As many of you will know, I'm not always the easiest person to be around, and so thanks man for your patience and trust. I truly hope that when all is said and done, you don't feel that you were simply along for the ride, but that both of us experienced a shared vision. It was epic, that is for sure, there were ups and downs, but the latter were far outweighed by the positives. We met so many wonderful people, and such little negativity. The entire journey seemed to be riding on a wave of positivity, fortune, and unbelievable kindness.

I apologise for only sharing rambled and rushed thoughts, but I will be writing somthing much more considered in the near future.

Love to you all once more!!! Thank you for being a part of the journey!!

Peace by Piece!!!