Local woman’s radio documentary hits the airwaves

RADIO station Newstalk recently broadcast a fascinating documentary recorded by a Southside woman who had travelled to Ethiopia last year.

As an arthritis sufferer, Deirdre Donnelly, from Mount Merrion, went from restricted mobility to taking on the challenge of the Great Ethiopian Run.

“For years, I reported on disability issues in RTÃ? and for some publications,

? Deirdre explained.

“This was of particular interest to me due to the conditions I had myself.

“Last year I was awarded funding from Irish Aid to travel to Ethiopia to make a programme on disability issues and how improvements have been made.

“But, as an extra challenge, I trained for the Great Ethiopian Run, a 10k race through the streets of the capital, Addis Ababa.

?

However, about a week before Deirdre was due to go to Addis Ababa in November there had been a localised terrorist threat and she was advised not to take part in the race.

“Most of the Irish charities that had fundraised decided to pull out and make alternative arrangements in different parts of Ethiopia,

? she said.

“I took the opportunity of travelling with Orbis Ireland, an organisation based in Sandyford, that helps fight blindness in the developing world.

“We went to the southern city of Arba Minch where an alternative race was organised. Despite the changes I still decided to take part and record the event for radio.

“The compensation was the wonderful atmosphere created by the 30 or so Orbis Ireland participants and hundreds of locals.

“Some were taking part and others had lined the streets to cheer us on. Arba Minch is a university town so some of the college athletics clubs took part as well.

“Given Ethiopia’s incredible record at producing some of the world’s top long and middle distance runners, it was a unique experience to run alongside some of the athletic champions of tomorrow.

?

In the documentary

‘One Step Forward’ Deirdre talked about the interesting people she met and interviewed there, many of whom are from Ireland.

“I witnessed a surgical procedure being carried out to save a local woman from blindness,

? she revealed.

“Donal Brosnihan, a consultant opthomolagist with the Eye and Ear Hospital provided the commentary.

?

Back in the capital Deirdre met up with former Irish rugby international, Paddy Johns, who is an ambassador for Plan.

He had just returned from Awassa in the centre of Ethiopia where he witnessed the impact Plan’s solar water project had on the community.

Plan Ireland works on the ground with partners in Ethiopia on projects that improve the lives of children.

In the documentary Paddy explained how it enabled children to spend more time at school.

And located 30km outside Addis Ababa is the Menagesha Rehabilitation Centre run by Cheshire Services.

It is the largest centre of its kind in Ethiopia, and treats up to 70 residential children and an increasing number of outpatients.

It helps people overcome the physical and social barriers resulting from orthopedic disabilities.

“The Irish Ethiopian Friendship Association, including Dún Laoghaire local John O’Brien, has fundraised to provide a mobile hospital for the clinic and it had just arrived before I got there,

? Deirdre said.

Deirdre interviewed Zemi Yenes, director of the Joy centre in the capital who spoke about the lack of services for her son who had autism.

Unfortunately, that condition is often seen as a curse from God, and it can be difficult to get a diagnosis.

“There is still a lot of stigma attached to disability, particularly with conditions such as autism,

? Deirdre added.