Some Facts about Life in Somaliland

Facts about life in Somaliland:

Electrical power is driven by diesel-fueled generators. There is really no centralized electrical power grid in this part of Somaliland; instead, power lines are hooked up to generator stations, and diesel fuel is trucked in to where it is needed. AT is in the process of installing a wind-turbine to supplement, if not replace, its own set of diesel generators. Though these generators are effective, they are highly inefficient. Here at AT the power is shut down twice a day for a total of 7 hours to let the system rest, so finding a better power source is not only the environmentally sustainable thing to do, it makes good business sense too. Since this is one of the most consistently windy areas in the world this wind turbine looks very promising. Until it's construction is complete, we continue to rely on the generators, and do without internet, electricity and warm water between 3-8am and 4-6pm.

The means of water provision is another source of shocking inefficiency to my American eyes, for it is trucked in, at least to our AT campus. The campus is located high on a hill, so that pumping water up from a hypothetical well in the valley below would be equally expensive, it seems. We are actively seeking new innovations to improve this aspect of life here, too.

Propane/Cooking gas has not been in the market here for 6 weeks.  This means that at AT, the 2-burner gas stove is useless.  Instead we've been using a single-place charcoal oven.  It's a fun challenge.  No one really seems to know why the absence of propane has come about - some say it has to do with the US embargo of Iran, but that doesn't really make any sense (to me...)  Others speculate that the problem is with the Somali supplier.  Who knows?!

Shipping: Not much gets here – certainly not the African staples I'd hoped for, at least – no avocados, no shea butter, no coconut oil...yet. Maybe someday at some stall in the Hargeisa marketplace I'll strike that gold, but no dice so far. The most popular foodstuffs here are an orange-drink mix similar to Tang, which the Somalis like to drink with sugar (Yes, sugar and Tang, together!) tea, which the Somalis drink with milk and, you guessed it, sugar, pasta, rice, beans, and yes, sugar. Copious amounts of pure sugar. Eggs are imported from Yemen, canned goods are shipped in from other parts of the middle East. Because of this, we are in the process of starting our own egg farm and chicken run here at the AT campus. The larger goal is to become as self-sufficient as possible, growing our own vegetables and fruits, and raising our own chicken and goats. Small steps on the way to this goal are beginning to add up, as the gardens yield more and more, and the chicken coop is nearer to completion everyday.

The Abaarso Tech Chicken Coop

Transportation throughout the area is as difficult as you might imagine, given that there are virtually no paved roads anywhere, and that the terrain is completely rocky and dry. In areas around Hargeisa where the dirt roads are compacted sufficiently so as to be classified as potentially “smooth,” there are well-constructed cement speed bumps to keep traffic flow at a reasonable pace. I'm told that the literal translation for the term “speed bump” in Somali is “sleeping policeman.”

Construction around the AT campus is done completely by hand, assisted by donkey-cart. Digging holes into this rocky, rocky ground is especially labor intensive, as is the creation of cement bricks from scratch, and every other component of “modern” construction achieved with such simple and ancient means. The delivering of supplies via donkey cart is really delightful to watch, but makes me grateful that I myself was not incarnated as a donkey in this life. Those dependable creatures really have a thankless existence in Somaliland.

And finally, a characteristic of lifestyle, here: exercise. While boys are taught to run about, taking care of physical tasks from a young age, girls are conditioned, generally, to be sedentary. They are to help with household tasks, such that partaking in more vigorous physical activity for girls is simply not customary. The AT staff is working to change this by requiring that basic physical activity and conditioning be part of their weekly routine. This year I am to be the girl's conditioning coach, and I've been warned that my job will be a challenging one. I've been warned that the girls will fiercely resist the struggle of work toward physical fitness with tears and biting language. But as a fitness devotee, I am fully prepared to help them on the road to greater physical well-being and empowerment. For my part, I've gotten to know the 1-kilometer dirt track around the perimeter of the school compound, and have found that life at AT is wonderfully active. We've been spending a few hours every afternoon playing tennis or basketball or taking walks in the desert, and this in addition to my own personal morning workouts, so I'm feeling as fit as ever. Hopefully I can help the AT girls find the joy and release of physical activity.

Beyond pure physical conditioning, AT will start it's first competitive girl's basketball team this year. There is one other girl's team in Hargeisa, and so we hope our girls will be able to play in real competition.