last day

It's the last day of the formal conference though there are still some things happenning tomorrow.

Our session was this morning and I think it went well. It generated lots of discussion and Sylvia in particular was in high demand after the session for interviews. It's clear that her take on libraries at the local level using less print and tailoring the services more to local needs of African communities really stuck a cord with many community development workers at the conference. Researchers were more interested in what I had to say.

Of all the presentations I saw the ones that struct home most with me were ones from the farmers themselves. One by Flora Nzambuli using song to teach about climate change. Very moving.

There were so many dedicated people doing such a wide variety of work all across africa. Many work under very difficult circumstances. There is a lot to take away from the conference and it will take a while to process it.

I missed one of the closing sessions -- spent it at the locall clinic. Nothing serious but I'm beginning to think I like these little episodes. While waiting for the lab results I spent the time with a little boy who spoke very little English but who is learning it in school and we spent the time drawing pictures and writing the words in Amharic and English. A big hug and kiss when we parted. The simple joy and laughter of encounters like this renews my faith in people.

Tomorrow we come back and will spend some time with the librarian here and talk to here about her work at ILRI.