[Ethiopia] The World Beyond Sight Part 1/ You are the Only Reason – Sponsor Visit 

今年黃金週我跑去衣索比亞了。

一個幾乎誰都接著問「去幹嘛?」的地方。

This Golden Week I went to Ethiopia, where most people wonder “Why are you go there?”.

因為資助的孩子在衣索比亞,因為答應了去見她、因為心心念念好幾年終於動了身。

——但即使沒有理由,只要想去我也是會去的。

她住在一個遠遠的地方,只要高高地飛過大山大海,在長長的山路上一陣奔馳,我就能見到她。

東京-香港(5H)、香港-阿迪斯阿巴巴(11H)、阿迪斯阿巴巴-吉馬(1H)、吉馬-她家(2H, 100km)

忽略所有閒置與等待,單純移動的時間是19小時。

For the girl I sponsor lives in Ethiopia, for I promised her, for I’ve thought to visit for several years.

She lives in a very distant place, as long as I fly over mountains and oceans, and been driven for several hours, I could see her.

Tokyo-Hong Kong (5H), Hong Kong-Addis Ababa (11H), Addis Ababa-Jimma (1H), Jimma-Her home (2H by road, 100km)

Ignore all idling and waiting time, the moving time is 19hrs.


許多事情出發之前先想過。

「通往地獄的路,往往都是由善意鋪成的。」

這句話我一直警惕著自己。

好心做壞事,這樣的故事所在多有。

我很清楚去看孩子是我的一廂情願、也知道人性是共通的,怎麼做可以幫助Roza又不會傷害她、 在陌生文化中該如何應對不至失了分寸?

我都想過。

I’ve thought many situations.

“The road to hell is paved with good intentions.” I have been warning myself by this.

Such as, the human nature is universal everywhere in the world, how can I help Roza without harming her; how can I react in a totally different culture?

這趟旅程對我來說很簡單,就是去看朋友,拜託我們通信快要六年耶XD

我們絕對是平等的,只在於我擁有一些資源,而我願意分享、那個對象剛好給她。

何況在台灣,那並不是完全無法負擔的天文數字:資助國外孩童700/月、可追加500/月支持其他計劃 (⇥連結)

而出發前我請世界展望會列出Roza需要的物資清單,她一次得到許多禮物,其他孩子會忌妒嗎?

最後,不管旁人怎麼說,關於愛心善意的誇獎我都心領了,但我知道出錢向來是最簡單的。

真正難得的,從來都是真正在做事的人。

For me, the purpose is truly simple and clear that I go Ethiopia to see my friend, a friend I have been communicating by mail almost six years. However, I know to visit her is my wishful thinking, are we on the same page? Maybe yes, maybe not. For sure we are equal, the only point is I have some resources and I am willing to share with the others, that one is Roza.

Besides, that’s not an astronomical number in Taiwan: 700NTD per month to sponsor a foreign child, additional 500NTD per month to support other projects (⇥link).

On the other hand, I asked for the list of goods Roza needs. Will other children be jealous after she received many gifts at once?

Last but not least, many people praised me for sponsor children, I do really appreciate that, but I know that’s not the real story.

To donate money is easy, to devote oneself is never easy.

又說人生的意趣在於意料之外,那些無法預測的。

像是,也有人問我是來視察成果的嗎?開始資助前曾經預期從衣索比亞人身上得到回饋嗎?

從不。

對我來說,事前先預設回報太奇怪了,那就不單單只是分享、而是交易或投資了。

我只能決定自己做什麼,至於對方如何回應,並不是我能掌控的。

又前幾天的經驗也讓我添上了擔心:Addis Ababa令人不安的的敵意、Afra過於世故的民情——我不知道Roza和她村莊是怎樣,但提醒自己無論如何都尊重——這些出發前不曾有過的顧慮。

Sometimes the unpredictable parts decorate life.

Like people asked me, is it an on-site inspection visit? Do I ever expect any feedback from Ethiopians?

Oh, never.

For me, it’s so weird to expect anything in return before I share something. That’s much closer to a deal or an invest, not share. I could only decide what I want to do, not in reverse.

On the other hand, my experience in Ethiopia in the previous days was not really good :(I know almost nothing about Roza and her life, but I remind myself to respect the lifestyle there.

For this reason, I remind myself that I know almost nothing about Roza and her life, but to respect the lifestyle there.

–Those I have never thought.


從Addis Ababa到Jimma, 搭飛機只要55分,是有限的假期下最好的選擇。

我一如往常坐在窗邊,伴著飛機穿破雲層,窗外不再是無盡的藍或深淺的白。

Jimma滿山綠意綴著閃閃發亮的銀絲帶,我看了好久,那是鐵皮屋,真的。

竟然這麼美。(可是,不熱嗎?)

It takes almost one hour from Addis Ababa to Jimma by airplane. As usual, the window seat is my favorite.

When I was approaching Jimma, I saw the iron-roofed houses reflect sunshine, shining like silver lines sewing in the green mountains.

It could be so beautiful. (but… isn’t it hot?)

走出機場,工作人員已經在等著。

終於,我學會了衣索比亞式的招呼:先握握手,再碰碰右肩頭。

Mr. Melkamu爽朗的笑聲讓人放鬆、而沿途的田園風光和相對完善的基礎建設也令人寬心。

Jimma, 咖啡的原鄉,這裡應該真的不錯。

Before I arrived Jimma airport, the members of World Vision Ethiopia (WVE) were there waiting for me. Then I learned the Ethiopian way to say hello: firstly shaking hands, then tough right shoulders in gentle.

With the beautiful pastoral view, relatively good infrastructures, and the hearty laughter from Mr. Melkamu, I felt relax here. In Jimma, the hometown of coffee.

到飯店放完行李後,經歷兩個小時峰回路轉的山路來到100公里外的紹克羅計劃區辦公室,主任Mr. Debelle慎而重之地簡報、其他工作人員也放下手邊的工作列席,說十次受竉若驚都不為過——我的付出如此棉薄。

紹克羅計劃區自2008成立,在當地政府的配合下已經推動許多專案,如兒童閱讀營、增設取水處、食物多樣化、待產中心…等等(太多了來不及筆記,詳見文末補充資料)。

對比幾天在Afra的日子,感觸更加強烈。

這群人,是真的在做非常非常有意義的事,每日每夜一點一滴地改善當地人的生活。

After two hours of driving on the rough mountain road, we finally arrived the office of World Vision Ethiopia (WVE) in Sokoro area, which is 100km away from Jimma airport.

Mr. Debelle, the manager presented the projects in detail with all other staffs attended. I do appreciate their time for what I do is so tiny and not worth mention.

Sokoro area project kicked off in 2008, with the support of federal government, they have been running many projects like ventilated improved pit latrines/toilets, vet post, reading camp and so on.

They are really doing something meaningful, improving the lives of people day by day.

伴著現焙咖啡與爆米花和我從台灣帶來的方塊酥(他們說太甜!),與工作人員合照留念,行程至此,今日稍歇。

With the freshly roasted coffee, popcorn, and the cubic pastry I bought from Taiwan (too sweet to Ethiopian!), we took pictures and then left the office.


5/5 Patriots’ Victory Day, 一個我不曾注意的國定假日,今天不是上課的日子。

然而還是有上百個孩子和村民在烈日下等待我。

多麼歉疚。

如此感動。

May 5th, Patriots’ Victory Day, a national holiday I have never noticed.

Still, there are hundreds students and villagers waiting for me.

So touched.

So sorry.

我終於見Roza了,她獻上一束花給我。

握著Roza的手,每一句話我都要轉頭請工作人員翻譯。

雖然魚雁了往返將近六年,但畢竟是初初見面,還不能輕鬆地交流。

不急、不急。

讓時間圓滑生疏、讓微風拂平不安。

Finally, I met Roza, she gave me a bunch of flowers. Holding her hand, the staffs translated every sentence we said. Although we have been mailed to each other almost six years, this is the first time we meet that we could not chat easily and freely.

大家慎重地歡迎著我,孩子們站久有點累了,動來動去卻還是睜大眼睛期待我說些什麼,我有點惶恐。

畢竟我誰也不是,畢竟我只能代表我自己,但此時此地我代表著台灣。

幸好姐也是個見過大風大浪的人(自己說XD), 幾百雙眼睛看著,還是能攤開送給學校的世界地圖前笑著介紹台灣、說說自己是幸運的在台灣接受了教育才有機會來到這裡見見大家,希望孩子們開心地學習著,掌握知識會更有機會做不同的事。

我還是希望以相對普世而客觀的角度分享經驗。

畢竟價值觀沒有絕對,又何況我對當地的瞭解並不深。

All the presence of people is looking forward that I “say something”.

Somehow nervous. I know I am a nobody and I could only stand for myself. But here, at this moment, I am the one on behalf of Taiwan.

After a few seconds, I decided to share my experience objectively: “I am lucky that I had the good education in Taiwan, that’s why I have the chance to stand here, to meet you all. The more knowledge you have, the more opportunities you can do something different.”

I don’t want to judge anything subjectively, for I don’t understand the culture here, for there is no absolute “Right” and “Wrong” in the world.


離開學校,今天,我是Roza的客人 🙂

跟著她的腳步前往她家,路上跟了好~大~一~群~人~~~

走著走著還會突然冒出幾個,有些也不靠近就遠遠地跟著。

工作人員悄悄說了,這個穆斯林聚落的人們很害羞,一開始對他們也是這樣的。

As Roza’s guest, we followed by a group of people on the way to her home. Some of them followed but kept a distance from us. A staff whispered to me: “the villagers were very shy to us.”

原來是這樣啊。

So that’s how it is.

想想這組合令人玩味。

基督教組織致力於改善穆斯林生活,唯一在場的資助人是個(不太虔誠的)佛道教徒。

多好,我們信仰不同,我們都在這裡,我們沒有衝突。

The combination is interesting.

A Christian organization is improving the life of Muslims, and the only sponsor on the site is a (not very devoted) mix of Buddist and Taoist.

How nice it is. Our religions are different, we are all here without conflict.


穿過田野走入小徑,Roza家到了。

圍籬上,寫著我名字的海報被風吹著,微微晃盪。

Then finally I arrived her home. A beautiful traditional house decorated with the posters to welcome me.

行前我已經知道Roza的母親帶著四個孩子和外婆同住,卻沒料到村長耆老親朋好友街頭巷尾通通都來了!

一一和大家行禮致意、Roza的外婆輕吻我的右手背、媽媽則是直接抱起我親吻臉頰⋯不是說他們很害羞的嗎!

I knew Roza Roza lives with her mother and grandmother in the grandmother’s house before the journey, but I never expected they have soooooo many relatives and neighbors! I greeted to Roza’s family and the respected elders, her mother hugged me tightly and kissed my cheeks… Who said they are shy!

環顧四週,院子裏就擠了幾十個人(多數是孩子)、還有圍籠外探頭探腦對外國人充滿好奇的上百鄉民們。

大家對我充滿好奇,卻又害羞地只敢偷偷看我,像是觀察動物似的——別誤會,在善意的目光下我從來不介意;先不說我也好奇地觀察著他們、或人類本來就是動物,台灣人在這,還真的是珍稀物種沒有錯XDDD

I was really surprised by the number of villagers: dozens in the yard (most are kids) and more outside of Roza’s home, they are so curious about me. Hey, I don’t mind people observe me like an endangered animal, honestly, I was observing them as well, that’s fair haha! Not mention the fact that human beings are animals, or to say homo sapiens if it sounds nicer. In addition, I believe Taiwanese is very rare in Ethiopia lol

伴著麵包水果和熱茶,大家輪流說著話。

我得到很多很多感謝,多於我認為自己應得的感謝。

畢竟我只是在做很小很小的事情。

意外的是長老提到我很、有、名,這附近所有人都知道我,這幾年來我寄給Roza的照片大家都看過了!

忍不住當場大笑,我完全不介意,但還是覺得很好笑啊哈哈!

最後,我甚至跟穆斯林們一起祈禱著。(當然內容是什麼我完全不知道XD)

With their warm hospitality, we talked with nice bread, fruits, popcorn, and tea. Surprisingly, the village chief mentioned I am very famous here, for many villagers have seen the picture I sent to Roza these years. I can’t stop but laugh, how cute they are! In the end, I even prayed together with the Muslims (for sure I didn’t know the content!)

話語稍歇,依舊生疏。

難得見面卻無話可說,這狀況我實在受不了。

想了想,翻出手機裡台灣拍的照片,講著講著卻開始良心不安起來⋯

在台灣,我們擁有的資源這麼這麼多,而這村落連電都沒有、而這裡的孩子連教室都不夠⋯

照片來到乾麵貢丸湯時,Roza的媽媽開心說著義大利麵!

那個,這兩樣看起來是有點像,但真的是不一樣的東西!相信我!!!

After a while, still, Roza was next to me but we have nothing to talk. I don’t like that, it’s time to say something! Then I shared the pictures I took in Taiwan, explained the story behind one by one. Gradually, I felt somehow guilty by the contrast of Taiwan and Ethiopia, by the huge gap of resources…


出發之前,我一直想著為Roza和她的家人朋友做些什麼,可以留在他們身邊的「什麼」。

想了想,拍照對他們應該不是容易的事,但是時光啊,流逝地無聲無息,誰記得幾年前的誰長什麼樣呢。

在FB上提起這個想法,朋友也立刻義氣地提供拍立得。

「當你真心渴望某件事時,全宇宙都會聯合起來幫助你。」

真的 🙂

時間不多了,離開前一定要完成這項重要任務。

本來打算幫Roza和她的家人好友拍照,沒想到後來每張幾乎都擠了十幾個人。

這也很好啊,大家一起熱熱鬧鬧的。

I have been thinking of what can I do for Roza, her family, and friends, something they could keep with them. Well, taking pictures might not be easy for them. After I posted the idea on my Facebook, my friend generously borrowed me her instant camera.

“When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”

Truly 🙂


離開她家、走往車子的路上Roza主動牽我的手,對於緬腆的孩子這是多不容易的事。

另一隻手偷偷拭淚,我卻沒辦法做什麼——不能說些什麼安慰她、不能承諾下次再見⋯

只能沿路假裝沒看到,分別前拍拍她抱抱她,說會像之前一樣寫信給她。

All good thing come to an end, it’s about time to go.

On the way to the car, Roza took the initiative to hold my hand, I know it’s not easy for a shy child. The other hand wiping tears away secretly, but I can do nothing– I can not say something to comfort her (in her language), I can not promise to visit her again. The only thing I can promise is I will write to her as before.

她說謝謝。

She said thank you.

我們擁抱。

我們道別。

我們說再見。

We hugged.

We said goodbye.

希望哪天真的再見。

Hope we could meet up again.

One day.


特別感謝世界展望會台灣分會郭小姐費心協助聯絡、與衣索比亞分會紹克羅計劃區工作人員溫暖的接待。

Mr. Melkamu一路細心關照,還有許許多多有趣的談話、司機Mr. Cherinet狂野但安全(?)的接送、計劃區主任Mr. Debelle詳盡的介紹、及所有工作人員的協助,你們在進行的工作非常偉大,我真的看見對當地人生活的改善!

Many thanks to Ms. Kao of World Vision Taiwan (WVT) for the arrangement and contact of the visit, and the warm hospitality from all members of World Vision Ethiopia (WVE).

Mr. Melkamu, thank you so much for your accompany my stay, I do really appreciate the talks we had in varies fields.

Mr. Cherinet, your wild driving skill conquers the roads, thank you (but not this way in Taiwan please :P).

Mr. Debelle, thanks for your detailed introduction of the running projects,

And all the members of WVE, you are really doing great jobs, I do see the improvement of life to the local people.

感謝我的家人,老媽老妹幫忙收集文具,老師學生們收到了都很開心(老弟你這次沒戲份餒)、感謝Phoebe熱心贊助拍立得,還有所有關心我的朋友們,我整欉好好啦XD

Thanks to my family, mother and sister donated their stationery, all teachers and students are happy receiving that (brother, you are absent this time lol); thanks to Phoebe for borrowing your Polaroid, thanks to all my friends, I am fine as usual, wherever I am.

本文公開前經世界展望會審閱,不涉及任何關於資助兒童本人、家人、及出場人物的敏感資訊。

This article had been agreed by World Vision before release to avoid leakage of sensitive information of sponsor child, her families, her neighbors and her villagers.


。相關連結。

台灣世界展望會 World Vision Taiwan

與世界兒童做朋友~關懷國外兒童(資助兒童計劃)之一 之二

資助國家介紹—衣索比亞 Jimma 

衣索比亞世界展望會 World Vision Ethiopia

衣索比亞世界展望會的工作於1971年展開,而在1984年飢荒時擴大服務工作。

—全國80%以上的居民務農,農業佔全國GDP 43%。主要的牲口是驢、牛、馬和羊等。

—全國1/3以上人口生活在貧窮線以下,約10%人口處於長期缺糧的狀態〈旱災時約達15%〉。

—鄉村地區,約39%人口可取得乾淨飲用水,20%人口有乾淨的衛生設施。

—5歲以下兒童生長遲緩率約40%〈2000年時達58%〉。-雖然小學入學率約87%,但學齡前兒童就學率僅5%。

—因童婚〈41%〉、童工〈27.3%〉、女性割體〈14歲以下23%、15歲以上74%〉和低出生登記率〈7%〉,所以兒童保護的需求相當大。

—因氣候異常,與2011年-2012年的東非之角、2015年-2016年的聖嬰現象,以及2016年至2017年的旱災,皆是衣索比亞各地糧食短缺的成因。

訪視工作介紹:

儲蓄團體〈Saving Group〉:類似台灣的跟會,社區居民每月存入現金至儲蓄團體,每月有固定的利息,若有急需,亦可透過儲蓄團體進行貸款。

GINII社團〈Growing for Improved Nutrition and Increased Income〉:社團內包含7個發展活動,主要整合灌溉/水資源衛生、家庭菜園、農耕培訓、營養餵食、烹調知識等活動,提升家庭的生計能力與相關知識,並改善兒童營養健康狀況。

VIP廁所〈Ventilated Improved Pit latrines/toilets〉:改良式通風廁所,屬水資源衛生專案的一部分,過去兒童和居民會隨地便溺,但透過改良式通風廁所,提升當地的衛生狀況,進而善兒童與居民的健康情形。

獸醫站〈Vet Post〉:衣索比亞內的農牧民族不少,牲畜健康是生計方案中重要的一環。

校舍修建〈additional block construction〉:因學生比例高過校舍可容納的數量,造成教室內過於壅擠和老舊,因此需要透過教育方案中的校舍修建,改善學童的求學環境。

閱讀營〈Reading Camp〉:幫助兒童透過閱讀,提升求學的興趣、識字率和讀寫能力。

**以上資料感謝台灣世界展望會提供**

Peri, 走進誰的風景裡

Peri, a storyteller.
Solo traveled over six continents.
一個人,走過六大洲。
在城市的浮光掠影間移動,看見美好也擁抱傷悲,感受真實。

and More…

衣索比亞・Coffee Ceremony 咖啡慶典

衣索比亞・視界以外的世界 之二/ Money, Money, Money

2 thoughts on “🇪🇹衣索比亞・視界以外的世界 之一/ 妳是唯一的理由-資助兒童探訪”

  1. 我也是展望會海外資助人
    高二那年資助一個非洲賴索托男孩
    一雙大眼睛還有甜甜的笑容
    真的好可愛
    常常寫信給他
    分享我的朋友給他認識
    每年聖誕節寄禮物
    這孩子家庭在幾年前離開計劃區
    現在這個孩子21歲了
    不知道他記不記得有個來自台灣的資助人
    如果他忘了沒關係
    我永遠記得這孩子的
    而這份資助情
    延續到下個資助童
    後來我選了一個孟加拉小女孩
    一樣好可愛ㄛ
    我資助第一個孩子時候
    就有想去看看孩子
    但金費問題關係
    現在我當了媽媽
    常常跟肚子裡孩子說你/妳
    有個賴索托大哥哥ㄛ
    還有個孟加拉姊姊ㄛ
    他們是很棒的哥哥.姊姊
    等你/妳出生長大了
    媽咪一定會說說他們的故事你/妳聽

    1. Hi 小捷!

      很高興看到妳的分享,看了我也覺得好感動。
      我的第一個孩子來自秘魯,也是因為搬家,才認識衣索比亞的Roza.
      緣份的流動真的很玄妙,相信妳的孩子知道有兩位哥哥姐姐,也會很開心的!

      祝 順產 🙂

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