I have just enough time to share a small selection of images from my first afternoon in Ethiopia.

Today wasn’t a real work day but even after the long journey to Addis Ababa from Bangkok via Delhi, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to join Aaron and Bill, representatives from “a child’s right” on their visit to just a few of their local water improvement installations.

Our first visit was to the CURE Children’s Hospital, where I met Sahai, who was, as you can see, entirely captivating, even on crutches. If you can still smile like that after major surgery on your legs then I think you’re a pretty impressive character. And don’t you just love that hair?

Next, we were entertained at the wildly inspiring Fresh and Green Academy by the school’s founder, Muday Mitiku. Ethiopian coffee, prepared in the traditional way, was served along with the perfect traditional accompaniment, salted popcorn. The Academy is… well, I can’t think of a better word than “inspiring” and I’m looking forward to returning during the week to photograph the school and its students in earnest.

Meanwhile, Bill, never one to knowingly miss an opportunity to entertain the local kids, takes his turn at pushing the roundabout.

I’ve had a strong suspicion that places like Addis Ababa and Africa in general will form a significant part of my future and my first impressions of Ethiopia today have served to reinforce that notion. I’m really looking forward to the week ahead.