The UK government is often promoting more exercise for children. ‘Walk to school weeks’ are just one of the outcomes of this. For children attending Bingham walking to school is not an option. They arrive by taxi or are part of a complicated car share. No one lives in the vicinity. This is because the area around Bingham is dominated by tin shacks and small souks. Bingham families usually live on guarded compounds with a collection of homes, or in a house with a walled garden in one of the more middle income areas. The space around the house for children to play is often quite limited.

Last Thursday was rainy from the start and persistent all through the time when children would usually go outside at recess. Thus when the rain stopped and the sun came out, Rainbow class went for a walk. I led the children on a complicated route around the compound up and down slopes and sets of steps. To keep their interest I suggested they look out for anything red. I think they spotted every fire extinguisher en route and many other items, not least the red stripe on one of the giant tortoise shells. As we completed our trek I enjoyed the children’s comments “That was a really long way from Rainbow Class”, “My legs feel tired”, “That was an awesome walk-can we do it again tomorrow?”

A different scenario from that in the local community, where people are out walking from dawn until way beyond dusk. The streets are always crowded except in really heavy rain. The Y’Tesfye Birhan girls will walk a considerable distance to come to Bingham for the first meeting but there will be incentive. We will give them new exercise books and pencils and arrange for their school fees to be paid. I’ve taken the photos that Phil took at the Gibsha last Semester to a small souk opposite school where they are going to print them for 3 birr (about 9p) each. I think that the photos may be quite precious to families who otherwise have so little.

This Thursday we have a day off. It is Ethiopian New Year so "melkem addis amet" (Happy New Year) as we reach the start of 2007!