Problem Solving Skills in Ethiopia

People in Ethiopia are not taught to think or problem solve. They learn rote responses to things in school. Many live day to day, so planning ahead isn't required. For example: The eight of us stayed in five rooms. One morning the hotel manager indicated that 3 of our rooms must be vacated as some other guests were coming and they didn't have room for both. They had found a place for our displaced people down the street (but they decided to stay at Rich & Melissa's.) That evening we met the people the hotel needed to make room for -- a group from South Dakota with a partner church in northern Ethiopia through Compassion International. They were there for one night. Given the option of having the people who were staying all week move out for a night, or making part of the group there for one night move down the street, which would you choose?? The latter option is the natural one for us, but not them. Even the 10-year-old I asked this could see the logical solution. Another example: At one restaurant I was thrilled that there were some cloth napkins with silverware in them on the table. (Granted, not enough for each of us, but better than most places where I had gotten used to wiping my hands on the tablecloth for lack of another option.) Three people ordered soup. The waitress came and took the wrapped silverware aware and left a spoon on the table. One of those people was having soup and food that would require a fork. and of course, she never brought napkins for those people. So, I totally get how one person can slow down adoptions without considering ramifications, communicating with others, etc.