The expats
As we’re getting close to the end of the school year, many expats are getting ready to leave Addis to move to new places. To get rid of unwanted stuff, they organise so-called “garage sales” in the usual expat venues. I mention it because I was shocked to see what they were selling: kids clothes, kids toys, nursery accessories, old baby bottles and even half-used cosmetic pots, that in a city with so many people in need.
According to local standards, expats or ferenji as foreigners are called here, live a luxury life being able to afford a gated house with a garden, a car as well as domestic help. They own many clothes and convoited goods such as computers, TV and appliances, which are extremely expensive here, even for the emerging middle class. I have difficulties understanding why such wealthy expats do not give away the kids clothes and toys they no longer need. There are many orphanages as well as many kids on the street in Addis, they desperately need our unwanted items, so why sell them to other expats? I don’t get it, please explain…
Salambo in Addis 