March 25, 2013

$575, Savvy, Shoeshines


Process

Only $575 is needed to cover the final payment for Rakeb’s enrollment in her study abroad program. Two weeks left until that is due!

Rakeb

Rakeb is extremely savvy when it comes to having common sense and street smarts. This past week she was telling me about how people are starting to treat her with more respect now that they have learned she is likely coming to the United States. I asked her how she felt about that, and she told me that she thought it was shallow. “No matter if she comes to the States or not, I am still the same person, and these people that are respecting me more now are obviously not in tune with who I really am.” Pretty amazing for any high-school aged person to recognize this!

Rakeb in downtown Addis Ababa

Ethiopia

There are very few places to get your shoes shined in the United States compared to Ethopia. Almost any place in Ethiopia promises to greet you with a row of young boys ready to get to work on your shoes. The going rate for a shoeshine is about 3 Birr, or about $0.20. If you think getting your shoes shined sounds old fashioned, try spending a week in Addis Ababa during the rainy season. No matter how careful you are, mud will cover your shoes sooner than later. 



Beautiful rural Ethiopia

No comments:

Post a Comment