Hello from Ethiopia

I’ve been in Ethiopia for some 24 hours now. It's my third trip to Africa in almost as many years, but my first time in this country. The air is muggy, familiar. And I can feel the hustle and bustle of a thriving Addis Ababa around me. I’ve yet to venture far from my hotel room (that’s what tomorrow brings), but it feels good to be back.

Once again, I’m traveling with the International Reporting Project, who took me to Zambia last summer to report on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. This time, I’m exploring a topic I’ve been passionate about for decades—the issue of maternal and newborn health.

The itinerary is a full one; the possibilities immense. In addition to IRP’s programming which includes meeting with a number of key stakeholders in the field, I’ll be meeting with World Pulse members who are personally invested in this issue. I’m excited for the powerful connections that I know will occur as the weeks progress, and I’m excited to share this journey with all of you!

More to come. Stay tuned!

I’ve flown to Ethiopia as a Newborn Health Fellow with the International Reporting Project. For the next two weeks, I will be meeting with experts on maternal and newborn health issues; going on site visits to some of this country’s most successful projects; and meeting with World Pulse community members who call Ethiopia home.