Building on the contacts and links we made on the July 2004 trip follow-up visit was planned and in January 2006 a group of 5 Irish Rovers travelled to Tigray in Northern Ethiopia.
Thankyou letter from Digum School

The Football side.....
A 10 day Coach Education Course was delivered by European Pro Licence Coaches Joe McCall and Alfie Wylie to 26 of Tigray's Football Coaches. The course was a resounding success not least due to the hard work, commitment and expertise of Joe and Alfie, as well as the excellent organisation throughout on the Ethiopian side. The Tigrayan coaches ranged in experience from semi-professional coaches to beginners, all were attentive and very keen to learn. Plans are already afoot to continue this process and hopefully we can continue what we have started.

Coaching the coaches

Respect !

The Education side.....
In addition the group were pleased to be able to personally deliver assistance to a nearby rural school. Located in Degum, about 90km North of Makelle. Situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty, the school was were presented with the following

• 240 desks to replace the existing mud stools
• a Duplicating Machine/Photo-Copier,
• pencils for all 1,621 pupils
• various other materials and wall charts etc.

Images from Degum school

Funds for this had been raised throughout 2005 via various Irish Rovers Events. Again on a personal level the Irish Rovers made quite an impression in Makelle, (actually, rumour has it that Joe & Alfie are going to run for Mayor !!) and if true, my money would be on them.

The 5 Irish Rovers who were fortunate enough to be in Makelle on this trip, will humbly remember for ever, the politeness and warmth with which we were received by everyone throughout the two weeks. The children we coached, the Local Coaches, Youth Bureau Staff, as well as the many dozens of Makelle people who went out of their to make us feel welcome. The teachers and pupils at Degum School, hotel staff, shoe shine friends, too many to mention really but ……….to Roma, Lagos, Anderson, Johannes, Lissane, ....…Special THANKS ! .

Perceptions that have changed ?
Tigrayans and N.Ireland people have many similarities and differences. As people we are both "down to earth" and like a laugh.

• They like Injera, we like Potato Bread.
• We both have had our "Troubles" & we both seem to have a lot of Parades !
• Soccer is more popular in Ethiopia than running & most sensible folk support Man U.
• Ethiopians are not all the same....Neither are we !
• Multiple sizes, personalities and social standing (rich & poor), same here !
• Absolute Poverty exists in Ethiopia, as it once did in Belfast, but things are improving & most people are trying their best, just like here !
• People in Ethiopia want a "rod" not a "fish", but sometimes might need a fish.

We are not Brazil, we're Northern Ireland & ordinary people can make a difference.