The NSPDK Ethiopia Ambassadors traveled from Newark Liberty International Airport on the award-winning Ethiopia Airlines to the capital Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Tuesday, November 28, 2023 for a NSPDK-MHO Early Learning School Dedication, led by the NSPDK National President Margarette Galloway, and National Executive Advisor Dr. Etta Carter. The NSPDK National International Chair Deborah Nolan and the Guzo World Travel Services Managing Director Segi Desta coordinated the MHO visit with Wayzaro Meseret Azage, MHO Founder and General Manager. Ms. Azage helped to arrange an agenda that allowed the NSPDK Ethiopia Ambassadors to engage with the attentive MHO students, the hopeful and fearless young mothers, the stirring and persevering alumni, supportive teachers, and other school staff. On Thursday, November 30, 2023, the Addis Ababa local press provided coverage of the NSPDK-MHO school dedication. The school greeting by the NSPDK-MHO students, exchanges of affirmations and encouragement in the MHO hall meeting with the mothers, the NSPDK-MHO school dedication ceremony and ribbon-cutting, and the MHO Luncheon for the NSPDK Ethiopia Ambassadors were all documented by the media (the entire NSPDK Ethiopia Ambassadors’ five senses were definitely activated!). Watching the MHO school community utilize for example, the furniture, boards, charts, rugs, learning resources and supplies through the NSPDK grant put a constant smile on everyone’s faces. Powerful emotions and amplified connections are two of several phrases that describe the NSPDK and MHO alliance.

     The subsequent week-long and worldwind tours to local Ethiopian areas were organized and conducted by Master Ethiopian Historian Tour Guide Ashenafi Sileshi (Ashu), and by intermittent tribal partners. The extensive excursions were achieved with a tight schedule of significant learning, a barrage of explorations and everlasting connections amongst NSPDK Ethiopia Ambassadors and touring companions.

     The NSPDK Ethiopia Ambassadors A FUTURE OF ENDLESS LIGHT Presentation is a glimpse of the enormity of conversing with the MHO children, mothers and staff (and the added “over-the-top”), PLUS travels to the enlightening OMO VALLEY tribal experiences, and beyond.

     Specific NSPDK Ethiopia Ambassadors touring places of interests included: the distinct beauty of the captivating Mursi, Hamar, and Dasenech tribes; the richly-intriguing ‘tribal’ markets; the close and upfront experience of the enlivening Omo River with hand-crafted canoes; the remarkable Konso cultural landscape and intricately terraced hills; the symbolic richness and adornment of the Omo Valley ‘Tribes;’ encountering the Kocho-making and collective dance of the Dorze people; and the striking Rift Valley Lakes and Crocodile Market on the shore of Lake Chamo (see Ethiopia Trip-At-A-Glance With Minor Scheduling Adjustments for more details).

     Traveling to, and boarding at the Eco-Omo Lodge and the Buska Lodge gave very healthy portions of authentic rural Ethiopian landscapes and lifestyles. The comfortable long-distance bus tours to each lodging accommodation and walking tours provided breath-takingly beautiful views and signature cultural particularities that contrasted the extreme effect of severe river droughts and floods, and, the sometimes inconsiderate impact of governmental and corporate decisions regarding tribal land. Additionally, as the NSPDK Ethiopia Ambassadors journeyed from one area to another, it afforded more opportunities to witness consistent familial and tribal collaborations. Particularly how the responsibility, focus and joy of every generation and gender, both in urban and rural Ethiopian territories were demonstrated.

     Both the Addis Ababa Skylight Hotel and the Arbaminch Haile Resort were luxurious and generously provisioned with the trappings of highly rated hotels. Each put forward delicious and familiar food and drink menus, and typically daring Ethiopian delicacies. The attitudes, accommodations and services were above average, along with the stunning views and smiles, as evidenced by all.

     The National Museum of Ethiopia opened in 1944 and is located in Addis Ababa (not far from the Addis Ababa University’s graduate school). The Museum stores and exhibits varied artifacts, such as traditional, contemporary, political and ancient creative art. Funding for the preservation of the Museum’s antiquities, and the housing of regional archaeological discoveries provide tourists with memorable impressions, for instance: hominids, e.g., the “Lucy” (the actual partial skeleton of the well-known remains) and Selam (found in 2000 and 2004) fossils that are dated to an approximate 3.3 million years ago. There are exhibits of Haile Selassie and other rulers, empire artwork, dynasty features, ceremonial costumes, crafts, jewelry, musical instruments, ethnographies, and much more (the infamous Afewerk Tekle’s huge African Heritage piece is another must see!).

     Two of the other highlights of the Museum tour are when the NSPDK Ethiopia Ambassadors chatted with local school children who were on a museum class trip, and, no doubt, when shopping for authentic Ethiopian cultural treasures at the Ethiopia Museum Store.

     While getting as much touring in before departing back to America, the NSPDK Ethiopia Ambassadors were able to visit the sacred grounds of the Holy Trinity Cathedral. The Cathedral has significant presence in Ethiopia. It is called the Kidist Selassie, and also carries the name “Pure Altar”. The Cathedral is the highest ranking Cathedral of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church in Addis Ababa

     Although the Cathedral was under construction and some parts were not open to the public, the NSPDK Ethiopia Ambassadors were able to observe much of the Cathedral grounds. The Ambassadors witnessed the enormous monument that symbolizes the liberation of Ethiopia from Italian occupation. Other significant details of the Cathedral are that there are a sizeable number of copper dome[s], pinnacles, and statues that represent numerous Ethiopia historic events. It is the final resting place of Emperor Haile Selassie and his wife, Empress Menen Asfaw.

     The Holy Trinity Cathedral also has a cemetery partially surrounding the edifice, where noteworthy graves and monuments are prominently placed for honor, and for visitors to view. The garden of remembrance has centerpieces, sculptures, tombstones, and photographs consisting of impressive stone and metal memorials. A very moving occasion at the Cathedral cemetery is when the NSPDK Ethiopia Ambassadors were with Segi Desta and her family as they paid tribute to Segi’s father. The dad is laid to rest on the Cathedral burial grounds for his distinguished service as an Ethiopian military officer. The extra added value (and stirring historic moment) was when the NSPDK Ethiopia Ambassadors caught sight of the Ethiopian Holy Trinity Cathedral memorial to the martyrs of the DERG. The memorial contains the remains of 60 officials of the Imperial government.

     Fortunately, the NSPDK Ethiopia Ambassadors had good timing with another opportunity to see Ethiopian students interacting with classmates, siblings, friends, parents, teachers and caregivers. While on the Cathedral tour, the students were dismissed from The Holy Trinity Cathedral Secondary and Preparation School as they joyfully talked, strolled, sat, and laughed, before traveling to their next activity.

     How do you say goodbye and end with a festive bang from a life-altering international trip to the Motherland? One cannot! The song TITLE (written by Clifton Davis), “Never Can Say Goodbye” comes to mind. Yet, on the final evening when the NSPDK Ethiopia Ambassadors dressed up in Ethiopian-fashioned accents and attended the Yod Abyssinia Cultural Restaurant hosted by MHO, it made the departure home to America a bit easier. The ambassadors were surrounded by Ethiopian culture such as decorum, art, fragrances, music, dance and cuisine. The live folkloristic traditional sounds and rhythmic demonstrations were fascinating, and a new feast for the eyes. Additionally, there was direct and genuine engagement of the Yod Abyssinia traditional entertainers and servers. The NSPDK Ethiopia Ambassadors let their spirits shine in partner Ethiopian movements. Spectators saw the NSPDK National President Galloway and other NSPDK members move to their hearts content with the Ethiopian dancers, as they were spotlighted one by one, moving to the rhythm of the Ethiopian beat.

     What a way to dream peacefully from the memorable and mesmerizing African assignment, being in the land of all-embracing natural beauty, and genuflect with much gratitude for being a member of NSPDK! Ameseginalehu! (ah-mes-ah-gih-na-loo! [Giving thanks!])