We write these impressions of one of the most densely populated regions of Earth from the safe confines of our hotel in Sodo, Ethiopia. We sit in a lush courtyard, yet there are hundreds of people begging for food and money on the street. It is so appalling to walk the streets of Sodo and see people lying on the ground, clinging to life as they reach their hands to the sky, no doubt praying to God to save them. One woman in particular is so weak that she can no longer lift her head off the ground, yet somehow finds the strength to pray. What's even sadder is that we glance at her with a look of pity but just keep walking. We have learned that the people of Sodo are so aggressive that we have become scared to give anything away, especially money. It makes a person feel very helpless, but also selfish that we have hundreds of Birr in our pockets but are too scared to reach in and pull out one to give. Of those who are healthy enough to go about their daily activities of farming, fetching water and going to school, even these people show signs of malnourishment. It doesn't matter how many Sunday afternoons we spent watching World Vision on tv back home, nothing prepares you to see this. There are so many people living in this condition.
Alexis, Melissa, Michelle, Dani, Amanda, Jenn
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