Fares Medium Clinic: Day 3 of (W)HOLE's 2025 Ethiopia Immersion Trip

Wednesday, July 16, 2025

Fares Medium Clinic

Day 3 of (W)HOLE's Ethiopian Immersion 2025

The best way to start your day is with coffee.  But not the brown water that is "coffee" in the US.  It must be Ethiopian coffee, from the birthplace of coffee.  I had the privilege of starting every day with this beautiful nectar, direct from God.  And most afternoons, we had coffee as well.  You could say I was very spoiled while on this immersion adventure.

After breakfast we went for a tour of Fares Medium Clinic.  This was Lynne's first time seeing it in person.  Even though I have seen it many times before, there is always something new to view.  The front has an updated sign along with some new greenery.

The clinic has experienced a multitude of phases.  When Kevin and I were getting to know the Zebene family this entire space was their home.  They rented out a back section to another family.  The front housed their family (of then) six.  When Dr. Hiwot and Zebene opened the clinic they used half of the space for their family and the other half to treat patients.  Eventually the clinic became so prominant in the Bole area, they sold their one vehicle in order to purchase land for a home.  The entirty of this space was then dedicated to Fares Medium Clinic.  Each time I see it they've rearranged or updated various spaces.  In addition, there are some big dreams to come.  Be patient, more on that in a later post.

Through the doors of the entrace you'll find the waiting/reception room.  They have comfortable couches, a desk for the receptionist, healthcare information posted, and a space for making coffee.  You can guess which spot I sit when I'm in this space!  (As close as I can be to the making of coffee.)  Through a doorway on the left is a long open air hallway.  The doctor's office and exam room is behind the wooden door shone in the picture below.

Both Dr. Hiwot and Dr. Hannah share this office, which is also an exam room.  The doctor's desk sits to one side with multiple chairs accommodating a couple of family members in addition to the patient.  To the right in this picture is the ultrasound machine that was donated to the clinic through the generosity of Redeemer Lutheran Church Family in Columbia, along with other supporters.

The clinic has seen significant use with this machine.  In Ethiopia, most clinics of this size do not offer ultrasounds.  Pregnant patients receive higher quality prenatal care.  In addition, the doctors have the opportunity to treat patients with other issues that an ultrasound can reveal.

The lab is equipped with microscopes, a hematology machine, centrifuges, and many other items that I don't know the names.  The two lab techs take shifts and run tests immediately as the doctors order them.  The hematology machine was brought over in 2021.  Two new centrifuges came with us this year.  The hope is to be able to take a urinalysis machine with our immersion trip in July 2026.

The emergency room, used for immediate needs such as IV fluids and monitoring, is in the back of the clinic at the end of the long, open-air hallway.  While our immersion team was around the clinic, a woman came in presenting with dehydration.  Two family members had brought her over an hour and a half to this clinic, specifically.  She had previously lived close to Fares Medium Clinic in the Bole Area of Addis Ababa.  Since moving, she still sees Dr. Hiwot for her healthcare needs.  The caring, compassionate, holistic care that both doctors provide means that much to their patients.  

Next to the emergency room is the nurses' station.  There is a partial wall between these rooms for nurses to monitor the patients.  In this room, Nurse Lemlem (pictured below) and the other nurses have space to administer injections, check a patient's vital signs, and provide other nursing care.  

Continuing through rooms that are still in the back of the clinic building, we have the small procedure room.  Circumcisions, stitches, and other minor medical procedures happen in this space.  There are three procedure tables, a privacy curtain, a supply cabinet, an instrument cart, and plenty of light in this room.

This outdoor hallway connects all of the rooms together.  It is not covered by a roof at this time.  Even though it is the rainy season, drainage is not a problem.  Seating in this area provides a place for patients to wait while lab tests are performed.  In the picture below is a view of the hallway from the back of this clinic, looking toward the front.  The iron gate you see ahead is another door that leads to the street running in front of the building.

The view in the picture below shows the doors to the procedure room, behind Bill.  Behind Lynne is the entrance to the nursing station.  Next to Bill is their washing machine.  Scrubs, bedding, and other washables are hung to dry.  In the far left of the picture is a partial view of the incinerator.  They dispose of various hazardous materials themselves.  

Moving toward the front of the clinic is the sanitizing room.  The back table holds a bucket of bleach, water, and another sanitizing liquid.  A pressure cooker-style machine sits on the table on the left.  This primary method of sterilization will soon need to be replaced.  What the picture doesn't show is the hole in the ceiling.  A round hole... about the size of the pressure cooker lid.  This might be taking the non-profit's name, (W)HOLE in the Roof, a bit too far!

Toward the front of the compound, there is a men's and women's toilet along with a shared sink.  Yes, both restrooms have a squat toilet.  If you're not familiar, YouTube can help you out, or ask me in person.  I can't bring myself to type out those directions here.  The door on the right side of the picture leads to the street in front of the clinic.

After the tour of Fares Medium Clinic, Dr. Hannah took some time explaining how they keep patient records.  Three different ways ensure that the patient's medical needs are recorded.  Below, Dr. Hannah and I are looking over the registration book.  They use this to record the clinic activities of the day.  Each patient is signed in with their basic information, a diagnosis, and a treatment plan.  

Fares Clinic also keeps files sorted alphabetically with more detailed information about the patients they see, the diagnoses, and the treatments they provide.  And hey, there happens to be a fabulous picture of the founders of (W)HOLE in the Roof and the founders of Fares Medium Clinic!  Amanda Burke, Zebene Shewakana, Kevin Burke, and Dr. Hiwot Zeleke (2021)

The third way that the clinic keeps records is through a charting application on their laptop.  In the US, it is reasonable to keep all records with technology.  However, in Ethiopia, the electricity is not always reliable.  During the immersion team's time there, the clinic lost power for a solid day and a half.  In order to continue treating as many patients as possible, the medical records must be kept on hard copy as well.

This is the view down the side street of the clinic.  Children play ball, mothers walk up to reach the little shop up ahead, and worship songs echo from the church next door.  This clinic is a central fixture in this particular community.  Just sit on the porch for a bit.  You'll see it in each person who walks by.

If you've read this far down... thank you!  So much information!

Connect with Fares Medium Clinic through Facebook

Fares Medium Clinic on FB

Donations, Coffee, and the Sounds of Addis: Day 2 of (W)HOLE's 2025 Ethiopia Immersion Trip

Tuesday, July 15, 2025

Donations, Coffee, and the Sounds of Addis: 

Day 2 of (W)HOLE's Ethiopian Immersion 2025

Jet lag is real, friends.  We arrived in Addis Ababa in the morning.  It took everything I had to not take a nap.  I did the next best thing... unpack and organize.  Kept my mind and my hands busy while my heart was about to burst with anticipation of seeing all of our family and friends again.

View from my balcony on the sixth floor

My accomodations at the Fountain Hotel

They don't have a website, but here is a link to information about it

Fountain Hotel Addis Ababa - Google Search

Did I mention how much I loved the balcony

Everyone's always curious what the bathrooms look like

In the early evening, we gathered at Zebene and Dr. Hiwot's home.  Our opening program included a welcome from Zebene, a delicious dinner, and sharing all of the supplies for Fares Medium Clinic.  Even with only three of us traveling, there were plenty of donations packed.  Like a magic trick, we just kept pulling more and more out of those suitcases.

Lewi was particularly excited about the solution that keeps the hematology machine operating

And the highlight of the evening... COFFEE!  And the best coffee, too.  Fresh roasted by Nardos.  If you haven't experienced true Ethiopian coffee, I'm sorry.  We can remedy that with an Ethiopian Immersion experience in 2026 or 2027.  Seriously, are you interested in more information about our upcoming immersion experiences?

By the time the sun set, all of us were ready for our heads to hit the pillow.  It would still be several nights until we adjusted to the new time zone.  In the meantime, it was nice to hear the buzz of the city at night.  Cars speeding by.  Dogs barking.  The thumping music from the restaurant across the street.  The call to prayer echoing from the nearest mosque.  

Baggage Woes: Day 1 of (W)HOLE's 2025 Ethiopia Immersion Trip

Monday, July 14, 2025

Baggage Woes: Day 1 of (W)HOLE's Ethiopian Immersion 2025

When my alarm jars me awake in the morning, my good friend "snooze" is always there for me.  However, this time... this time, I was up, dressed, ready, and ecstatic to start the day.

And then the difficult part of our journey commenced.  Moving all those bags.  I've traveled with large numbers before, more people, more bags.  However, that also means more folks loading, unloading, and watching piles of bags.  It sounds counterproductive, but honestly, it was more challenging with fewer people.

I retrieved the baggage cart from the lobby.  Its wheels were already squeaking.  Up the elevator.  Down the hall.  Then, the bags.  Each of us had two suitcases for checked baggage that weighed up to 70 pounds each.  The cart groaned and sank a bit lower with each suitcase loaded.  I was able to move it down the hallway, in and out of the elevator.  However, by the time we reached the lobby, at least two of the wheels were buckling.  The tires were cracking, and we were rolling on rims.  In my defence, the baggage cart was looking rough before I loaded it.  Really.

Each bag made it onto the hotel shuttle headed to the airport.  There was space in the seating for all three of us.  What could not make it on the shuttle?  The wheelchair.  Don't worry, no one was injured.  We took a wheelchair to Fares Medium Clinic in Ethiopia.  Bill sacrificed to stay back at the hotel and take the next shuttle to the airport.  Lynne and I forged ahead with the baggage.  Perhaps you can see where this story is going.

Good news... we made it to the Atlanta Airport.  Bad news... the hotel shuttle does not drop off at the international terminal, only the domestic terminal.  Cue unloading the bags.  Lynne and I had all the checked bags and all the carry-ons.  Eleven bags.  Six of them weighing almost 70 pounds.  Lynne found airport luggage carts.  All through our trek through baggage claim, the bags were constantly close to toppling over, but we made it to the shuttle connecting the domestic and international terminals.

Load the bags.  Unload the bags.  Find the Ethiopian check-in counter at the end of the terminal.  Thankfully, all we had to do at that point was wait for Bill and the wheelchair.

The rest was smooth.  Security, waiting, and boarding.  After nestling down in my seat, I had a chance to breathe.  To breathe and look ahead to what the next thirteen days would hold.  This was the second immersion trip I've led, my sixth trip to Ethiopia.  I had the privilege and honor of watching Lynne take in all that was to come.  Of watching Bill reconnect with friends, families, places, and Ethiopian culture.

A mere fourteen hours away, people were waiting for us to arrive.  My heart was waiting to re-embrace all that I love about Ethiopia, Fares Medium Clinic, (W)HOLE in the Roof, and my family.  It was going to be good... really, really, good!

Sunrise from the plane

First glimpse of Addis Ababa

Baggage claim and customs at Addis Ababa's Bole International Airport

One Adventure Into Another: Day T - 1 to (W)HOLE's 2025 Ethiopia Immersion Trip

Sunday, July 13, 2025

One Adventure Into Another: Day T - 1 to (W)HOLE's Ethiopian Immersion 2025

I spent this weekend with my high school church youth and their adult leaders. A mix of service to the community, learning about hurricane recovery, and joyful fellowship fun that words can't begin to describe! This group of people inspires me to be a better human being.

We ended our service learning adventure with donuts of all shapes, sizes, and flavors. A shout out to EN Donuts in North Augusta! Support family-owned and local businesses... EN Donuts https://g.co/kgs/wZcwLBS. And just like that, I was saying goodbye to the church kids and Kevin.

Time for the next adventure!

Some great friends helped me find a shuttle from Augusta to Atlanta. After a last-minute Walmart run, I was on my own heading out. At this point, I was thankful to only have a purse, backpack, duffle, and wheelchair in tow... just wait... it gets better! Shuttle from Augusta to the Atlanta airport, 2.5 hours. Traversing the south terminal and waiting for the airport shuttle, 1 hour. Taking the shuttle to the hotel, 20 minutes. Whew! 

 It was good to see Bill, Lynne, and Varner. We rearranged the baggage, then weighed it. Rearranged, weighed again. Yup, and again. And at least one more time. Finally, everything was settled, the bags were ready, and not much else to do besides enjoy dinner and our evening.

Five Years... Looking Back

Drive safely, my friends.  It was five years ago today.  Life changed in an instant. 

Today, I could think about how the front of my van was unrecognizable.  Instead, I’ll think about the joy it has been to teach my daughters how to drive.

I could wallow in pity around my life-altering injuries.  Instead, I’ll give thanks that I can walk on my own.

I could reminisce about the endless months of physical therapy.  Instead, I’ll look for ways to continue to improve my health, mobility, and well-being.

I could fret over the PTSD that still peeks through to haunt me.  Instead, I’ll appreciate my therapist, the endless support she gives, and the opportunity to grow in my understanding of myself.

I could be frustrated about the gaps in my memory due to medication and trauma.  Instead, I’ll look for new opportunities to create more memories with Kevin and the girls as our family grows into a new stage of life.

I could be angry about the extreme anxiety and depression of the three years it took this case to go through court.  Instead, I’ll choose compassion for those who lack adequate health coverage and advocate for every person’s right to medical and mental health care.

There are still days when it is easier to hold on to the hurt, frustration, and anger.  However, I am grateful that I can look back over the last five years and see how I’ve grown through this adversity.

Thank you to everyone who has helped me get to the place I am at now.  It isn’t perfect.  However, looking back, it’s a good place to be in this moment. 

A Journey, But Not Alone: Recovery - Wheels, Walkers, Canes, and Shoes (ajourneybutnotalone.blogspot.com)

A Journey, But Not Alone: 365 Days Around the Sun: An (Incomplete) Inventory of Gratitude (ajourneybutnotalone.blogspot.com)

And just like that... we were back. Ethiopia/Germany 2023

We returned home on June 22nd.  Two days later I'm just now able to think somewhat clearly and not randomly drift into sleep.  The past 3+ weeks have been fun, heartbreaking, hope-filled, adventurous, full of learning, bonding moments, memory-making, Spirit-filled, and centered squarely on Holy Ground.  While it is tempting to look at the calendar and simply move on to the next thing, we simply can not.

Too many stories need to be told.  Too many pictures need to have others' eyes gaze upon them.  Too many moments have been put on our hearts and cry out to be heard and known.

In some ways, I am glad that the internet was sketchy during our trip.  Now that we've returned, I can't simply sit and think of the next item on the calendar.  I can't return to my lengthy to-do list.  This experience must be processed, shared, and allowed to shape how we move from this point into the future.  I am compelled to write the stories.  As I edit the pictures, the Spirit speaks through the eyes and smiles of people we encountered.  I relive moment after moment and struggle through what it means to share each one.

Over the coming days, I'll be posting about our experiences.  I pray you'll join us in sharing these moments, both joyful and heartbreaking.  You're invited to enter the story for yourself.  See where you might be called to go.  Ask questions.  Engage.  We're all on this journey together and we are certainly not alone.  

June 9th - Day 8 Ethiopia/Germany 2023... A Bumpy Ride Through the Countryside

The first night of sleep in Ethiopia was glorious.  Our rooms take up the majority of the 6th floor.  The view of Addis is wonderful.  I'm especially glad that it gives an opportunity for those on immersion to see the hustle and bustle from a different viewpoint.

The group ate breakfast at the hotel's café.  Everything from French toast to fir fir and mango juice to coffee.

Zebene, Eyosius, and Leviar met us at the hotel along with Meskerem's brother.  We loaded in the van and then set off for Woliso.  Depending on traffic it is a 2-3 hour drive southwest of Addis.

There are many changes over the course of this drive.  In the city, people are walking everywhere and the driver has to take care to not run over anyone.  Outside of the city, it is the cows, donkeys, and goats that crowd the roads.  The language changes from Amharic to Oromiffa.  The smog of the city breaks away for a cool fresh breeze and rain clouds.  Homes in Addis are crowded and squeeze a maximum number of people into a small area.  In the countryside, the homes are spread apart and have planting fields in between. 

We pass through small villages and modest towns.  Throughout the journey homes, livestock, and planting fields line the road.  On more than one occasion we stopped for livestock in the road.  These cows were not easily deterred from hanging out where they pleased.  

As we passed through small villages, there were women walking to and from their homes to the center of town.  Small roadside businesses offered water, produce, and other items for sale.  The partly cloudy sky left the air slightly cool while the sun still lit up all the vibrant colors of the towns.  

The bus was full.  It is a good thing we were all family and friends that love each other!  Thirteen of us along with luggage were packed into the vehicle.  As we approached Woliso the excitement built.  Waiting for us there would be family members that some had not seen in over ten years.  Long-awaited reunions!

We arrived at the Negash Resort in Woliso.  After a sigh of relief to be out of the bus, came the arms of loved ones wrapping each other tightly while tears streamed down many of our faces.  A beautiful reunion.

This woman is beyond amazing.  She is Meskerem's 1st mother, her birth mother.  She has allowed me the honor and privilege of being Meskerem's 2nd mother, her adoptive mother.  We have been able to be together several times over the years.  Words are completely inadequate to describe the love, care, compassion, and bond that we share.  Even though we do not speak the same languages, even though we live in this world in very different ways, there is the most beautiful communication and simple knowing that we share through tears, smiles, and long embraces.  The more time we spend together the more our families bond.  A shared joy in playing ball with the children.  Laughter ripples through all of us as we watch the antics of the wild monkeys.  Pure love and fierce protection over our one enormous blended family that grows closer each time we are together.  I am beyond thankful for this woman.

Everyone spent the afternoon playing games, sharing stories, and taking pictures.  Uno is definitely a game that crosses language barriers... and there was a LOT of Uno!

We all ate dinner together that night.  That evening was filled with good food, laughter, and quality family time.  You can tell it is a group that enjoys being together and is welcoming of all when the hotel staff are feeling like part of the family.  I am so thankful for these bonds that reach across the waters, across languages, and through the years that we have spent apart.  

Shiro and Injera... a thick spiced chickpea stew with sourdough bread 

Pineapple Fanta... a Burke girl favorite