Location:
Amhara Region (835km from Addis Ababa)
Altitude:
Ranging from 1500-4200m (Lay Gayint, Tach Gayint, Simada)
Climate:
Chilly at morning/night
Travel:
By domestic flight (1 hour) and by vehicle (4 hours:
285km)
People:
Amhara (Amharic language is widely spoken.) The Amhara are
Semitic people whose ancestors probably came from what is modern-day Yemen, and
appear to be descended from the same people group as the Tigray people. The
Amhara features are similar to the southern Arabs, olive to brown skin, with
Caucasian features. The name comes from the
word "amari:, meaning "pleasing, agreeable, beautiful and gracious."
Religiously, they affiliate mainly to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church which
sometime persecutes evangelical Christian believers. Source:
Orville
Boyd Jenkins, Ed.D., Ph.D.
FHI:
FHI has been working in South Gondar since 1985, except for two
years when the work was interrupted by the war between the Derg (Communist
government) and the current government. FHI’s presence began with relief food
distribution and then rehabilitation. Currently FHI is carrying out the
following types of rural development programs:
- Productive Safety net Program (PSNP), a USAID funded program, is a new
(2005-2007) program, with an aim to enhance the livelihood of the most impoverished farmers in two districts (Simada and Tach
Gayint) and prevent asset depletion. In total, about 93,000 family members are expected to be benefited.
- Livelihood and Capacity Building program is a supplement to the PSNP that aims to graduate families from the safety net level to food
secured level. In total, 4,000 families and leaders at various levels in Simada
and Tach Gayint are targeted to improve their status and get out of poverty.
- HIV/AIDS Prevention through Abstinence and Healthy Choices for Youth (in 3
districts): This program is designed to prevent new infections from HIV/AIDS
among youth and families through mobilization of communities and faith based
responses to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The major activities during the next five
years will include capacity building, strengthening youth development program,
information, education and communication (IEC) for behavioral change, and IEC
material production.
Housing:
Simple Staff compound
Meal:
Local food (spicy, oily)
Communication:
Phone (24-hours), Radio (week-day)
