A few minutes ago I walked out of a crowded operations management review session, into the courtyard at SBS. It was raining lightly, with wind weaving through the trees and a rain fresh scent after days of sun. It was beautiful and calm. Immediately I was back on Vancouver Island, hiking in light rain, face scratching against a waterproof jacket, scanning the Pacific Ocean through the trees. There my mind found a split second of space to breathe.

I remember walking every day through one of the poorest neighbourhoods of Addis Ababa last year, between our two offices. Past tailors with two poles, a tarp, table and sewing machine each. Past labourers digging ditches by the road, only their heads and shovels popping out top. Past the kids scrambling around the school entrance in their faded green uniforms. Amid the rocks, cracks, sewage and mud, there was one patch of perfect[...]

[Published in AidBlogs - Read the original article]