We stopped to collect the plaque, the banner, a giant loaf of bread and 100 bottles of Sprite(!)

The minibus was loaded with various representatives from the ministry of education, myself and the Link Ethiopia team - no chickens today! We set off to drive the 50km to Gendit for the Breaking of the Stone Ceremony…..

I’m getting excited! Just about to get my visa for my next trip to Gendit. I’ll be taking part in ‘The Breaking of The Stone Ceremony’ which I think is the UK equivalent of the breaking of a bottle against the side of a ship. Except that it will launch the digging of the foundations for the next phase of the school build not a cruise.

Every year, students like Fasika drop out of school after Grade 3 - currently this is the top level of teaching at our Gendit school. It takes over an hour to get to another school for grades 4-6; this means children have to cross a busy main road with the threat of violence on the way.

As a result, many children simply fall out of the education systems altogether.

However, the classrooms that will be provided by our project will change lives forever - children will be able to stay at school until they are 14 years old. After this, it is only a mile to the nearest secondary school.

A week here truly puts life in perspective. Ethiopia - the cradle of mankind - has produced a humble, warm generous people. And - in spite of the weather - a people thirsty for education.