It is not uncommon for Addis Ababa to have “tricky” power services that are unpredictable and shut off without warning, sometimes remaining off for days. Recently Ethiopia has begun scheduling planned power outages country wide as a way of preserving electricity. Caregivers at Wanna and Layla House have had the challenge of caring for babies without power, which means not only no electricity but also no water. For this reason, AAI has been raising money for a generator. AAI posted an explanation at the guesthouse where adoptive families often stay so that families are prepared to be without the amenities we take for granted here in the US. The post reads as follows:“Around the end of February power rationing was started again in Ethiopia. Power rationing is done by the Ethiopian government to meet the energy demands of the country. Due to a shortage of power, the electricity is turned off to save energy. Power rationing happens throughout the entire country. In Addis Ababa and other large cities the power is turned off in a grid like pattern so that different areas of the town loose power on different days. In small towns and villages the power can be turned off to the entire town for the whole day. Currently the power is turned off from 7AM until 6PM every three to four days. This will last until late June, but sometimes continues through part of the rainy season. As the months pass the length of time the power is kept off often increases from 6PM to as late as 10PM. There is no power rationing schedule available so plan accordingly, it simply turns off without warning. Most businesses in the country cannot afford a generator so power rationing affects all but the very elite in the country. Even large factories and hotels are not exempt from the power rationing. Many companies, factories and restaurants suffer great financial loss due to the frequent loss of power and the interruption of their work.”
Looks like we’ll be packing a flashlight with extra batteries along with a comprehensive toiletry list in case we go without water for a while. Let's see...we've done this before...
• baby powder and serious deodorant, check
• mint gum, mouthwash and Crest Brush Strips, check
• Lemon Zest Luna bars for breakfast (best for combating morning breath), check
• baby wipes (for baby and us), check
• bobby pins and hair ties, check
• antibacterial wipes/gel, check
• extra cotton undies, check
• sense of humor and an eye on the big picture, check
