Location:
Benishangul Gumuz Region (415km from Addis Ababa)
Altitude:
1,300m
Climate:
Warm and humid
Travel:
By vehicles (12 hours: 415km)
People:
Gumuz/Oromo (Gumuz language is widely
spoken. Oromo language is also spoken.) Over 120,000 Gumuz in Ethiopia live in
the "bush-savanna" region, an area covered primarily with bamboo and other small
trees. In the recent past the Gumuz people hunt with bows and arrow, but currently most breed cattle or farm for
a living and farm their lands together as a clan. The Gumuz are animistic, which
means they worship the "spirits" of certain rocks, trees, and animals for good
health, good crops, good luck, and protection. Evangelical Churches, however,
are growing in the tribe. Rebba is their "supreme god who knows all."
Traditionally, the Gumuz firmly believe that if a woman drinks milk, she will go
bald, and if a man eats cabbage, he will be lazy. If a woman eats porridge while
she is making it, they believe she or her husband will become ill. Source:
SIM
Website
FHI:
Child Development Program (CDP: Sponsorship) was launched with FHUS
in 2000, and currently, together with Korea FHI, supports more than 2,200
sponsored children. MICHA (Micronutrient and Health) is also integrated into CDP,
conducting Water and Sanitation activities by providing clean drinking water,
and assisting farmers to increase agricultural productivity. The main
focus of the project is on child education. Formal education in the area began 12 years ago, therefore FHI is trying to build a culture of education through the CDP program.
Housing:
Simple Staff compound
Meal:
Local food (spicy, oily)
Communication:
Public phone (poor access only day time), Radio
(week-day)
