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On 1/8/2011 8:27:07 AM Captain David Creech
402nd Civil Affairs Battalion functional specialty team veterinarian
wrote
I began preparing for the Negele, Ethiopia, mission shortly after I arrived in Djibouti in October 2010. It was to be a quick response to a disease outbreak identified earlier in the year. My team of two veterinarians and two technicians arrived in Africa together and had a lot to learn in a short time.
One thing I learned very quickly upon arriving, is how diverse the Horn of Africa is. Within each country there are numerous cultures and ethnicities, each one adding its own flavor to Africa. Ethiopia, known as the "Cradle of Civilization", is known for being the only country in the Horn of Africa that was not colonized. The people I met have great pride in their country, and as I walked through the market place, countless times I was asked if I liked Ethiopia, and was always met with a warm smile. In the capital city of Addis Ababa everywhere you look there are construction projects going up, the streets are bustling with people. It was as though I could feel a vibrant pulse in the beautiful city. Addis Ababa is surrounded by a rolling mountain range and is truly unlike anywhere I have ever been. The weather in mid-December was like a crisp fall day in my home of Tennessee. The beautiful landscape, cool temperatures and friendly faces made my first few days in Ethiopia seem surreal.
While in Addis Ababa, we met with representatives from the United States Embassy including United States Agency for International Development, Tufts University, and the Center for Disease Control. Each individual brought to light projects that are going on in Ethiopia and how Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa has helped and can continue to help build strong relationships with Ethiopia. We also picked up our supplies from a local vendor, who went above and beyond to accommodate our needs. When we discovered certain medications were slightly different than what we needed they were on the phone immediately tracking down what we needed and had it there the next day.
We lodged at the CJTF-HOA teak house in Addis Ababa the first three nights of our mission. Awasa, a city about five hours south of Addis Ababa was our next stop. It was a five hour drive through some of the most beautiful country I have ever seen. Rolling hills scattered with acacia trees and local herdsmen and women directing their livestock here and there. Scattered villages with round huts topped with grass could be seen just about everywhere, and the children would run outside to see the passer by. About 45 minutes from Awasa one of our vehicles had a flat tire and you would have thought the circus had come to town. A multitude of locals came to offer their advice and service in changing our tire and of course the children surrounded the other vehicles peering in at us and asking us for all sorts of things. We stayed one night in Awasa at the Lewis Resort Hotel and the next morning set off to the south for Negele.
The trip to Negele was a long and bumpy ride. Road construction hampered our progress much of the way and another flat tire set us back as well. After about nine hours of driving, we arrived at our destination. Negele was much more primitive than Addis Ababa or Awasa. The hotel where we stayed did not have any water for showers the rooms were infested with roaches and the power was intermittent. However, the people of Negele were just as friendly as any we had met along the way.
In Negele, we linked up with the Civil Affairs team and began ironing out some of the wrinkles in our mission. One problem we had to solve was a water source. One of the medications we were to use, required mixing with a liter of water per cow and as our plan was to treat two thousand animals per day finding a source of two thousand liters of water in drought conditions was problematic. But if there is one thing I have learned about the people of Ethiopia is no problem is too big. With the help of the CA team, and the local veterinarian, Dr. Dejene Taye, we set out to find water the next day and after a three hour drive into the harsh countryside we came upon a water point we could use to accomplish our mission. At the water point we were able to sit down under the shade of an acacia tree and meet with the village elders. They told us how happy and thankful they were that we had come from so far to help them with their problems and assured us they would construct a crush to move the animals into so we could treat them.
During our second day in Negele we met with the governor of the Woreda and received his blessing to perform our mission. From his office we went to the local agricultural office and received their blessing as well. Shortly after meeting with these officials we began the refresher training for the Community Animal Health workers. We discussed the diseases that are prevalent in the region and what medications we would use to treat the disease. Staff Sergeant Chris Nestor held a class with the CAHWs discussing the medications and how to administer them. Specialist Shawn England conducted a class on the equipment we used and I went over the diseases. The training was well received and the interaction with all the participants was rewarding. It was the first time I had worked with a translator and he did a great job helping me understand their questions and also conveying to them what we were trying to explain.
Our third day in Negele we began the treatment portion of the mission. When we arrived at the site, we saw that the local people constructed two holding areas made out of thorn bushes. To be honest, I didnt think we had a prayer of keeping the animals inside of the thorn brush crush. There were many animals waiting to be treated. In short order we began distributing supplies to the CAHWs so they could begin treatment. Under the guidance of Dr. Dejene, the CAHWs managed to treat more than 3,000 animals including cattle, sheep, goats, camels, and donkeys. We even had a baby goat born during the days work. It was inspiring to see the work ethic of these nomadic people. I should not have underestimated their ingenuity, the thorn brush crush held up very well and very few animals escaped. They worked together and accomplished more than I ever expected. At the end of the day the tribal leaders had a ceremony and inducted us into the Boran tribe.
During the fourth day in the field, Dr. Dejene took charge and organized the CAHWs. He assigned them certain tasks and worked his way from pen to pen instructing, diagnosing and prescribing treatment. The CAHWs responded well to his guidance and we found ourselves watching as this community of pastoralists worked together and accomplished even more than they did on the first day of treatment. When the dust settled and the final count came in, an astonishing 4,800 animals received treatment. It was Ethiopians helping Ethiopians and they did a fantastic job. We offered guidance and support where needed, but their capacity to help themselves was a great sight to see.
On the last day in Negele, we were once again out in the field witnessing the CAHWs polish their skills and learn from their local veterinarian. Dr. Dejene organized them again and the day went very smoothly. At the end of the day the locals held a farewell ceremony for us that involved a coffee ceremony. Coffee of course was discovered in Ethiopia and the "Buna Calla" ceremony or coffee ceremony is an old tradition to honor a great visitor. When they finished, we handed out certificates of appreciation to the participants and said are farewells.
The CAHWs accomplished much more than treating more than 10,000 animals in three days. They worked together with their community, gained trust and left with confidence.
My time in the southern lands of Ethiopia showed me how a people of humble means and limited resources can lean on each other, work together, trust one another and thrive. I will never forget the people of the Boran tribe; they are a hardworking people, a tough people, full of pride, but with humble hearts.
PA mission to Ethiopia 1/8/2011 · By Airman 1st Class Jevon Smith
Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa strategic communication combat camera videographer
Visiting Our Teams over the Holidays 1/4/2011 · Rear Admiral Brian Losey, commander, and Captain John Dixon, chief of staff, Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa
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