A gap year in Ethiopia

Gap years in Ethiopia

Ethiopia may be poor in work and industry but it’s rich in natural beauty, music, song, and dance. This war- and famine-scarred country has much to offer the visitor, and even more if you make time to meet its people. If you’re looking for a country where your GAP year might make a difference, read on.

Gap Year Opportunities

International aid agencies rushed to Ethiopia in the 1980s, when widespread famine and disease hit our screens. Today there are a number of agencies operating from the country, and you’ll have no difficulty finding a voluntary position in this vulnerable country.

Ethiopia is crying out for volunteers for schools – only 47% of children regularly attend a school because of poor training and inadequate resources. You could teach English to children or adults, spend time working in a media business such as a radio station or newspaper office, decorate children’s wards or help provide extra-curricular sports activities in schools and communities.

Ethiopian History

Like much of Africa, Ethiopia has been influenced by a number of cultures and peoples: you’ll see the footprint of Portugese, Greek, Egyptian, Christian, Islamic and Judaist peoples as they’ve come and gone through the centuries. Ethiopia is one of Africa’s oldest states.

This remarkable country is renowned for its devoted people and extreme warriors. When Africa was being parcelled up into colonies by European powers in the 19th century, Ethiopia was destined to fall into the hands of Italy. The Italian leaders believed Ethiopia to be an easy target: a disparate nation of tribes and communities who were barely on speaking terms with one another. They were sorely mistaken. Since the mid-19th century (when this separation had been recorded by British troops), a new Emperor had come into power. Melenik II and his wife were to prove a formidable force, uniting the Ethiopian tribes and raising an army of 20,000 men to battle for their country.

The Italian-Ethiopian war peaked in 1896, when the Ethiopians defeated the Italians at the Battle of Adwa, inflicting a 70% casualty rate on the poorly-prepared Italian army, and conclusively claimed victory. Today the Battle of Adwa remains a symbol of hope and pride for the Ethiopian people. It’s remembered annually by the multi-ethnic population, celebrating a shared national identity.

Seeing Ethiopia

Being five times the size of Britain, Ethiopia is a land of dramatic climactic and geological contrast. The capital Addis Ababa, like the rest of the central plateau, enjoys a mild climate with temperatures ranging between 4 and 26 deg C. The Ethiopian Highlands features spectacular lakes and mountains, in stark contrast to the rich tropical lowlands teeming with flora and fauna. Species to look out for include the hyena, lynx, jackal, leopard, lion, hippopotamus and crocodile – plus more than 800 species of bird.

Addis Ababa, the country’s capital, has a population of almost 3 million, with the majority being Christian. Women should nevertheless take the precaution of dressing prudently when walking in the city. Today the country, plagued by famine and disease in the 1980s, receives international assistance, but as you’ll witness, Addis Ababa has huge numbers of homeless people.

Getting Around

In Addis Ababa you’ll soon master using the taxi service – blue and white minibuses, which are operated like buses with varying destinations. Moving on from the capital can prove difficult. Road conditions are poor and car hire inadvisable. Domestic flights are reasonable, well mapped, and operated by the respected Ethiopian Airlines; unfortunately, rail travel is discouraged after recent bomb attacks.