Corey ~ Ethiopia ~ Tekamah 6th Grade

Corey Lawson ~ Peace Corps ~ Ethiopia

Tekamah 6th Grade Class Project

 

 This is Corey's Host family's first time as a host family and they are very young…His dad (Beyene) is 31 and his mom (Tigist) is 27.  They have two children, Mathewos – 7 and Naol – 2. Corey is 28 and in Ethiopia, he is 21 years old. Their calendar is 7 years behind ours.  



 Tekamah, NE 6th Grade Students

On November 1st, 2012, the Tekamah 6th Grade students from Tekamah, Nebraska, were introduced to Corey through his Aunt, Mrs. McClure.  They viewed photos, a video from Corey, and each student was given a folder to that would hold their hand outs throughout the school year.  The first assignment in their Lap Top Class was for each student to type a letter to Corey telling him about themselves, of the events in the United States,  and to ask questions about his experience in Ethiopia.  Corey sent every student their name written in AmharicThroughout the school year we have made Christmas and Valentine cards, mailed letters and laminated colored pictures for the Ethiopian children, and written letters.  Through Corey's experiences, the students are learning first hand what life is like in Ethiopia.







Bunna Ceremonies are a reminder to slow down and take time to enjoy good friends. The ceremony is prepared by the women, green branches and flowers are spread on the serving area floor,  and all are required to drink 3 cups of coffee. 



Christmas in Ethiopia (Gana)

                    (January 7th)
Corey celebrated an Ethiopian Christmas (Gana) in December with his host family since he was leaving before their Christmas celebration.


 Corey's American family sent gifts to his host family. Among the gifts were duct tape for the host father, perfume for the host mother, and match box cars and pajamas for his host brothers.  There were many similarities as to how Christmas is celebrated in America and in Ethiopia, however, they do not have wrapped gifts or many gifts at all.  Our students were happy to receive a handmade Christmas card from Corey and another one for the New Year in January. 

 The boys loved their new pajamas!




Corey says farewell to his Host Family...









Pepsi Plant in Corey's city, Bure, Ethiopia.





Corey's Home
after living in Boru for 3 months with his host family, Corey then moved to Bore where he will remain for 2 years.



Corey's Compound

After learning about how Malaria is transmitted and how it can be prevented, the students were inspired to make their own posters to show on World Malaria Day.

Creating posters after their Science class where they learned about Transmission and Prevention of Malaria.

 World Malaria Day ~ April 25th


Over 650 students were reach through performances including:

* Drama/skits

* Songs

* Poems (local language and English)

* Questions and Answers (with Prizes)

* Monologues

(Corey below in plaid shirt...with his students)


After the all day event with the students they picked winners and distributed prizes.  The top three prizes were a shirt, hat, and backpack.  Other prizes were neon glow-stick bracelets and gum. Several days after the event, Corey noticed students STILL wearing their bracelets and chewing their gum!!!


 

 Corey gave his nieces a gift from Ethiopia! (they live in Germany)


Corey eating "Roman" food instead of "Ethiopian" food! 

Corey exploring Pompeii, Italy.


 Corey with 3 of his siblings, brother-in- laws, nephew and nieces in Rome, Italy.








 Life in Ethiopia

Corey and Kirsten preparing for dinner.  Yes, they're on the kitchen floor!

 Sleepy sleepy boys!



Coffee Beans before roasting

 Roasted Coffee Beans ready to make into Coffee










Bonfire
Fisika
DiscoParty
Campout


(May 2013)


 Hiking to Tila's hill.


The inside of Tila's Cafe



 They slept on the open ground...



 Awoke to watch the sunrise, then went back to sleep!



Corey Home
in
Nebraska for a Visit
Corey was home in Nebraska for two weeks in July, 2013, for his sister's wedding,  Our family was privileged to have Corey perform a Bunna Coffee Ceremony for us.  He brought raw coffee beans from Ethiopia. He showed us how to roast them, blow the husks off the bean while roasting, and how to grind them. We then gathered together for coffee that he brewed in an Ethiopian pot.  It was DELICIOUS!! Corey also let us taste snacks that are eaten in Ethiopia with a Coffee Ceremony.
Corey showing my granddaughter and friend how to roast the coffee bean and blow the husks off of them.













Corey and Peace Corps Friends

 

On October 2, 2012, Corey Lawson left his life in America behind to spend the next two years volunteering for the Peace Corps in Ethiopia.  After a 13.5 hour flight, Corey made his first home in Boru, Ethiopia, a small town of 5,000 people.  For the first three months, Corey would live with an amazing host family enjoying two smaller brothers.  He would learn the culture, the amharic language, and become adjusted to living in Ethiopia. 












 Coffee Ceremony ~ Bunna

Corey was allowed  to perform a bunna (coffee) ceremony and his dad joked that he was the first male in Ethiopia to ever perform oneIn Ethiopia, the women do ALL of the work.











Gifts from America!

"Now I can fix anything!"

Corey's Ethiopian family's tree and decorations!


After three months of living with his host family, learning their language, culture, and way of life, it
 was time to say good bye.  Corey would leave Boru
and move to Bore, Ethiopia. 







Ethiopia


This map of Ethiopia shows where all of the new Peace Corps volunteers were placed in Corey's group.  They had just over 50 in his group (30 Health and 20 Environment) to bring a total of 200 volunteers in Ethiopia.






Corey's Shower

Corey's Bed with Net


 


Corey eating what looks like

"American Food"!!!

(April of 2013)






~ Preparing for World Malaria Day ~

 The girls showing their posters.


He drew a BIG mosquito!


Parading to each school, students showed off their posters along with performing songs and chants.

Drama and skits are popular in Ethiopia.  Students will even get on their tip toes and shoulders to watch.






 Corey met his siblings in

Rome, Italy, for a vacation.

(May 10, 2013)


 The Capital in Rome, Italia.

 Corey at the Colosseum in Rome.


 Corey and his niece, Zella, in Rome. Zella lives in Germany and will move to the U.S. this summer.

 Corey with his sister and niece in Rome




Corey and Caitlin washing the morning load of dishes.


In honor of Virgin Mary, they celebrate the holiday Mariam by having Buna Ceremonies outside.





 After Fisika (Ethiopian Easter) Amanda's friend, Tila, told her to invite all her Peace Corps friends in the area to Tila's Cafe on the hill.  Everyone packed their overnight gear and headed out, 

Tila's Cafe

Corey and Justin admiring their work!


Walking back down Tila's hill into town where everyone took a morning bus back to their respective sites.












Bunna Coffee Ceremony
in Iowa for our Family



Cousins! 
Corey with two of his siblings and cousin, tasting Ethiopian coffee!
Most of us do not like coffee, however, this was amazing and even the young ones loved it!











Corey's 29th birthday in October.

In Ethiopia, he is

22 years old.


Ethiopia is seven years behind in the Gregorian calendar (it's 2006) because, as they say it, it took seven years for the Magi to return from giving mirth and frankincense to that little boy from Bethlehem.  This adds to the uniqueness of their calendar that consists of 12 months of 30 days each and a 13th month before the new year of 5 days.  They also start their day at 6:00 a.m. 










These 6th grade students were very busy this December making Christmas cards for Corey, his fellow peace corps friends, and the Ethiopian children.  They are spreading the Holiday Spirit across the globe!  This photo was taken by the Burt County Plaindealer.



Corey and Peace Corps Friends ~ Christmas 2013

 

 
 
 
Make a Free Website with Yola.