An interesting blog post from my BIL

[KerryMac]

My brother-in-law has spent the last few months doing some pro bono consulting work in Ethiopia with the Solar Energy Foundation, helping get solar energy out to remote areas in the country.
He's been blogging along the way, but I thought his last entry (his part in the project is now complete) was so interesting. In it, he describes a trip he and his girlfriend (this is the husband of my sister who passed away) took to visit some traditional tribes in the area.
It's pretty fascinating if not a bit difficult to read. You can also click on a link to his Flickr page and see on the 2nd page some photos of the people.
I've know Bill since I was 12! He's such a great guy and has a ridiculous sense of humor and the most adventurous spirit
Clearly Creative Marketing, Cambridge, MA

[katie pertiet]

oh wow--talk about a trip back in time! that was indeed fascinating and will put new meaning behind pictures from that region that we see in national geographic types of magazines! The whole lip plate thing sounds just awful though!

[maureenreynolds]

Great writing Kerry. He really captures it so well.

[earlofoxford]

What an interesting read -- except the whipping and the lip plates!

[Lynn Grieveson]

Fascinating. Oddly enough, I felt very sorry for the poor girl never allowed to have a lip plate!! In a society where everyone else has one, that must be awful.

[emfullante]

wow, that was so interesting! I too, felt sorry for the girl who is so young but never will be allowed to have a lip plate. Your brother-in-law is an incredible writer, Kerry!

[Cassie Jones (1gr8muggle)]

What a fascinating experience. Tell him I said thanks for documenting it so well. I enjoyed reading about his journey. His photos are absolutely wonderful!

[anke]

I really enjoyed looking at all his photos! The solar panels on the huts are so cool!

[esther_a]

Wonderful storytelling. He writes so well, with such humanity! Thanks so much for sharing, Kerry!

[whatnext]

fascinating! the photos are amazing. i read about the hyena-feeding guy in Paul theroux's fabulous book "Dark Star Safari."

i think your BIL must agree with me, though he didn't say it outright: all African women (and any other oppressed women) need to rise up and kick the a&^%$ of the beaters, the lip stretchers and any other man who tries to tell them what is "right" and what is "beautiful". i can't imagine that it was a woman who thought up lip and neck stretching or the binding up of feet.

[digigrandma]

Thanks for the link, Kerry. That was fascinating reading and the photos are gorgeous.

[KerryMac]

Thanks, all! I'll tell Bill about your comments. He is such an adventurous soul.
It's difficult to look at another culture's traditions and not judge. But those whippings and beatings are hard to understand. And I know it was tough to watch, too.

[amcmillian]

While I think the lip plate is awful, I too felt a little sorry for the young girl, in her world it is like walking around with a scarlett letter. Very interesting read and work that your BIL and company are doing. I enjoyed reading the blog and viewing the photos, thanks for posting!

[KerryMac]

I agree. You feel sorry for anyone who is ostracized like that!