August 5th--The Saddest Day for All

August 5^th was a rainy day.  It was reflective of the mood of the YSEL family.  Like the clouds, the tears fell from our eyes as we packed our things, loaded the bus and said good bye to the YSEL staff and our friends from all over Ethiopia.  Some of us left early to catch morning flights to our homes, most of us went to Addis on the bus together, but when we got to Meskal Square and said our final goodbye, again the tears flowed from our eyes as the rain came down and flooded the streets of Addis.  YSEL camp was over but despite the tears, we still have each other and we’ll never lose our YSEL family.  Although we are far apart from each other, we are forever in each others’ hearts and minds. “This was the best time in my whole life,” said Daniel Workeneh of Kombolcha.  “I will never forget this month or my YSEL family.  I hope American Councils can give this opportunity to other students in the future.”  As this program ends, now we have the busy task of making it happen again for more students from around Ethiopia.  We shall see what the future brings!