Do you speak Russian in Austria?

Early in the morning, we were invited to the UN building in Luanda (where the UNICEF offices are located) to get a short briefing about the difficulties for children in Angola. UNICEF also presented us with the UNICEF strategies on how to further achieve improvements.

For example, the mortality rate of children under five years of age is one of the biggest issues in Africa. A large part of the presentation was spent on education, one focus was the integration of child-friendly school principles in teacher training, construction standards and community participation.

At the end of the presentation, we handed over the presents we brought from Austria (“Mozartkugeln” and “Mannerschnitten”) to the UNICEF staff.
Before we left for the airport, the Security Manager of the UN told us Angola has the same security level as Paris or Lisbon. One of the main security risks is traffic accidents – so we should keep our seat belts fastened all the time. Gwen and Desire from UNICEF Angola will join us during the next few days, travelling to the south of Angola to visit schools and sanitation projects.




After a short meal at Luanda airport, we flew via Ondjiva to Lubango.




At the passport control, one of the police officers who has never seen an Austrian passport before asked Anna if we speak Russian in our country.
We were picked up by Paulo and his drivers from the UNICEF office in Huila province and had a nice dinner together.

On the premises of the lodge restaurant, we could visit crocodiles and boa snakes.


Finally we arrived at the hotel, where most of the rooms were equipped with IKEA furniture – a wonderful night ahead 🙂
