Plans of September and October, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, September 2026

It is hard to believe that more than three weeks have already passed since I arrived in Ethiopia.

As with every new posting, the first days seemed to move at remarkable speed. There was so much to learn, so many people to meet, and countless practical matters to organise. Now, little by little, the initial whirlwind is beginning to settle into something more familiar. I am finding my rhythm.

Professionally, every day brings new insights.

Much of my time has been spent trying to understand the humanitarian context, meeting with partners, listening to colleagues, reading reports, and gradually building a clearer picture of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Every conversation adds another piece to the puzzle. Ethiopia is a fascinating country, both incredibly diverse and remarkably complex, and I have the feeling that learning about it will remain an ongoing journey throughout my time here.

Away from the office, I have also been busy creating a new home.

My flat is now almost fully arranged. There are still a few details to finish, but the books have found their shelves, the pictures are beginning to appear on the walls, and the kitchen finally feels lived in. It is always surprising how quickly an unfamiliar apartment begins to feel like home through a collection of small, everyday routines.

I live in the Bole Atlas area of Addis Ababa, only a short distance from the office, which makes daily life wonderfully convenient. The neighbourhood has quickly become familiar. Cafés, bakeries, small supermarkets and busy streets filled with people going about their day create an atmosphere that is both lively and welcoming. It is one of those parts of the city where modern Addis Ababa reveals itself—constantly growing, energetic and full of life—while still retaining a distinctly Ethiopian character.

One of the highlights of these first weeks was experiencing Enkutatash, the Ethiopian New Year.

Celebrated on 11 September, it marks the beginning of a new year according to the Ethiopian calendar and coincides with the end of the rainy season, when the countryside begins to turn green and yellow adey abeba flowers bloom across the landscape. Throughout the city, families gathered to celebrate, children dressed in traditional clothes visited homes singing New Year songs, and churches filled with worshippers giving thanks for the year gone by and praying for the one ahead.

It was a wonderful introduction to Ethiopian culture and a reminder that every country marks the passing of time in its own unique way.

The next chapter of my own Ethiopian journey is about to begin.

In the coming days, I will leave Addis Ababa for my first field mission, travelling to Gondar and further north into the Amhara Region to visit several projects supported by one of our humanitarian partners.

Field visits have always been among my favourite parts of humanitarian work.

Reports and meetings are essential, but nothing replaces seeing programmes firsthand, meeting the people involved, speaking with local communities and understanding how humanitarian assistance translates into everyday life. I am particularly looking forward to learning more about the region, its communities and the work being carried out there.

Amhara has experienced difficult years and, like many parts of Ethiopia, continues to face challenges while also demonstrating remarkable resilience. I look forward to listening, learning and gaining a deeper understanding of both the situation and the strength of the communities living there.

There has also been wonderful news from much further away.

In Toronto, Tahir and Amna have welcomed a beautiful baby boy into their family.

His name is Hamza.

Needless to say, we are all absolutely overjoyed. Watching families grow is one of life's greatest pleasures, and I cannot wait to meet the newest member of our extended family. Congratulations once again to the proud parents—and a very warm welcome to the world, Hamza!

Looking a little further ahead, October promises to be another month of travel.

One unexpected consequence of my years in Venezuela is that I still have a considerable amount of annual leave to use. Humanitarian emergencies and demanding periods of work often meant postponing holidays, so I now have the opportunity to make up for some of that lost time.

Immediately after returning from the field, I will spend a week travelling between Tunis and Rome before heading to Poland for another week in Nowy Sącz.

It will be wonderful to spend time with Mum and the rest of the family once again.

Even better, Giovanni will still be there before returning to Venezuela at the end of October, giving us another opportunity to spend time together before our paths temporarily separate once more.

We are also planning a short excursion across the border into northern Hungary, exploring the beautiful Tokaj region with its vineyards, historic towns and rolling countryside. It seems like the perfect way to enjoy the colours of autumn before returning to work in Ethiopia.

Looking back over these first weeks, I realise how fortunate I have been.

Only a short time ago I was saying goodbye to Venezuela, a country that had become home over three unforgettable years.

Today, I find myself beginning another chapter in Ethiopia.