The centre where we are staying has a big concern with security.  If you turn your back for a minute, you will find that someone has locked the training room behind you and whisked away the key! 

Last night we were initially locked out of our final session - sharing experiences from Cameroon in advocating for elderly people's rights.  So while we waited for the key to arrive, Francis from Cameroon taught us all a song created by the elderly people who he works with - and the atrium of the conference centre filled with the voices of particpants from different countries.

Not only is Francis a good singing teacher, he is also a passionate advocate for elderly people's rights.  He described the situation facing many rural older people, most of whom are illiterate and unsupported by their families, who struggle to have their voices heard in society.  He described the wisdom of the elders as "a library of wisdom and a canopy of knowledge" - if we neglect them, we all lose something.  Francis was frank in sharing his excitement about the project, but also about the difficulties and struggles of starting an area of work which has barely been touched on in West Africa before.  Hands flew up with questions once he stopped and conversation continued on the way back to the hotel. You can read about about Francis' work on www.mrdf.org.uk/pages/never_too_old.php

Have I mentioned yet to supporters, trustees and staff back in the UK how hot it is here?  No rainy dark November days for us, we have sunshine and British summertime temperatures!  However it is not quite warm enough for many of the African participants from other countries.  Addis Abeba's high altitude means that it is much cooler than many people are used to, so jumpers, scarfs and even woolly hats are in evidence - perhaps not so difference from home after all.