Travel to Ethiopia: Travel Ethiopia with Americans for UNFPA

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Travel Ethiopia with Americans for UNFPA

			Read a Trip Review DAYS: 9 GRADE: I define HIGHLIGHTS: ADDIS ABABA: Biruh Tesfa (Bright Future) Project; ADDIS ABABA: The Fistula Hospital; ADDIA ABABA: Audience Patriarch of Ethiopian Church HOSSANA: Planned Parenthood Golden Gate project; BAHIR DAR: Birhan Hewane (Light of Eve) Program; LALIBELA: Rock Hewn Churches Island Monestaries ACCOMMODATIONS: Hotels/Lodges MEALS: As noted  [B-Breakfast, L-Lunch,   D-Dinner] Prices, Departure Dates and Included Services Send to a Friend Print this Itinerary

With a geography that is often stunning, frequently beautiful and always a surprise, Ethiopia's highland isolation has produced a truly distinctive culture and a population immediately recognizable for their noble features. Ethiopia is the world's oldest Christian country, with rites and ceremonies as recognizably Judaic as Christian. Ethiopians have a close-knit and traditional culture, personal identity is strong; their sense of self robust. The obverse side of tradition is cultural taboo. In contemporary Ethiopia there are many problems for women and children, including one of the highest maternal death rates in the world. The causes are numerous: poverty, early marriage, genital mutilation the lack of family planning and health services. In fact half of Ethiopia's population has no access to any medical services what so ever. The UNFPA and Planned Parenthood Golden Gate address many of the issues facing these proud and strong women. But the emergence of this deeply rooted society into the modern world is not without turbulence. Ethiopia needs the help of these organizations and the individuals who spend their lives in the pursuit of the greater common good. And for these dedicated individuals to succeed, they need our support. The Americans for UNFPA Leadership Delegations are designed for people who make a difference.

	Elegant, proud and beautiful, the UNFPA and PPGG provide essential assistance for Ethiopia's women

DAY 1 :  ADDIS ABABA: MEET & TRANSFER
On arrival at Bole International Airport, we meet our local guide and transfer to our hotel (30 mins). Addis Ababa is the third highest capital in the world and one of the largest cities in Africa, with a population well over 5 million. Despite its size, Addis retains a small-town feel with lively markets and traditional coffee shops. This evening we have a diner at our hotel featuring a welcome address by a senior UNFPA field officer. The issues that affect women and children in the sprawling urban environment of Addis Ababa differ in many ways from those affecting rural villagers. The Americans for UNFPA and Planned Parenthood Golden Gate are supporting both rural and urban projects to improve the lot of the women of Ethiopia. Overnight Hilton Hotel [D]

DAY 2 :  ADDIS ABABA: BREIFING. BIRUH TESFA, FISTULA HOSPITAL
After a breakfast UNFPA briefing and overview of projects in Ethiopia, we visit the Biruh Tesfa (Bright Future) Project, a program that helps protect poor urban girls from abuse and exploitation. This project is specific to Addis Abba, the nations huge metropolis. We also visit the Fistula Hospital, dedicated to protecting woman in the capital from the sometimes crippling effects of fistula, and preventing the disastrous social consequences when the disease is not treated promptly. Ethiopia has one of the highest maternal death rates in the world. The causes are numerous: poverty, early marriage and genital mutilation, as well as a lack of family planning and health services. Some 1400 Ethiopian women out of every 100,000 die because of complications related to pregnancy (in Europe, the figures range between 10 and 60 per 100,000). The UNFPA supports projects tackling this issue. The Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital is a major bastion of protection accessible to Ethiopian women. This evening, field officers of the Addis Ababa UNFPA will join us at our hotel for the evening meal. Overnight Hilton Hotel [BLD]

ADDIS ABABA The Fistula Hospital is funded by the UNFPA

DAY 3 :  HOSSANA: AUDIENCE WITH ORTHODOX POPE. PLANNED PARENTHOOD POJECT AT HOSSANA
This morning we have arranged an audience with the Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (in Amharic: Yityop'ya ortodoks twahedo btkrestyan). Granted independence from the Coptic Church in 1959, today it claims a membership of 36 million worldwide; the largest of all Oriental Orthodox churches. The current head is His Holiness Abune Paulos elected Patriarch in 1992. Following our audience we take an early lunch, and drive to Hossana (210km / 3+h), visiting the historic UNESCO World Heritage site of Tiya Stelea (12th century) en route. On arrival we visit one of the flagship projects of Planned Parenthood of Golden Gate, whose support of the Ethiopia Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY), which we visit on our arrival, has made a considerable impact on local health improvement by providing 1,300 villages with maternal and child health services in rural areas where medical care is nearly nonexistent. The program has trained over 135 volunteers who educate their communities about reproductive health, provide contraception and medical supplies, and help their neighbors to properly care for those living with HIV and AIDS. Overnight Hemi Hotel. [BLD]

PLEASE NOTE: The only accommodation in Hossana is the Hemi Hotel. It is extremely basic. In order to facilitate our visit to view the considerable acheivements of Planned Parenthood Golden Gate in Hossana, we must utilize the facilities that are available. Please be prepared for a very basic overnight stay in Hossana.

DAY 4 :  ADDIS ABABA: PLANNED PARENTHOOD. OROMO VILLAGE
We spend much of the day visiting with the Planned Parenthood Project at Hossana. Depending on our activities with the Planned Parenthood Project, en route back to Addis this afternoon (time permitting), we visit the 12th century UNESCO World Heritage site Tiya Stelea and / or an Oromo Village. The people of Oromo constitute the largest regional linguistic group, perhaps 30 million of the 55 million inhabitants of Abyssinia, today made up of Ethiopia and Eritrea. The Oromo are famed for the cultivation of Enset or false Banana, which is their staple food rich in carbohydrates. Arriving back in Addis late afternoon, our UNFPA field officers will join us for the evening meal. Return to Addis. Overnight Hilton Hotel [BLD]

DAY 5 :  BAHIR DAR: FLY. BIRHAN HEWANE, BOAT TO MONASTERIES
This morning we rise before dawn, transfer to the airport and catch the short flight to Bahir Dar. Upon arrival we transfer to our hotel for breakfast and a cup of Ethiopias signature coffee! Bahir Dar rests on the shores of Lake Tana and is one of Ethiopias most picturesque cities with wide avenues, palms and jacaranda trees, and stunning lake views. For centuries Bahir Dar has been a trading center for the region and the tankwa, the traditional papyrus dhows, still transport trade goods across the lake, adding a sense of timelessness to the city. After breakfast we visit the Birhan Hewane Program. Amharic for light of eve, Berhane Hewan is designed to impart to adolescent girls in rural areas the knowledge, skills and resources they need to avoid early marriage, with additional support to girls who are already married. The project is funded by UNFPA through the Nike Foundation, with technical support from the Population Council. (The Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Amhara Region Youth and Sports Bureau implement the project). After our visit we take lunch in a local Ethiopian restaurant then embark on our private boat on Lake Tana to visit the Zege Peninsula and its famous Island Monasteries. En route, keep an eye out for a variety of bird species and, of course, the traditional tankwa trade dhows crossing the lake. After a short hike through local villages and coffee farms (20 minutes), we reach the monastery of Ura Kidane Meret; home to an important collections of crosses and crowns dating back to the 16th century, and painted maqdas, colorful and well-preserved, which tell the stories of many Ethiopian saints. We then return to our boat and sail back to Bahir Dar, stopping at a second monastery en route, Azwa Maryam, set amidst pleasant gardens.  Dinner is served at our hotel. Overnight Tana Kuriftu Resort [BLD]

DAY 6 :  LALIBELA: FLY LALIBELA. ROCK-HEWN CHURCHES
This morning we again rise early, transfer to the airport and catch the short flight to Lailibela, flying over amazing rust colored canyons and high jagged peaks. At over 8,500 feet the small town of Lalibela is situated high in the Lasta Mountains. Upon arrival we transfer to our hotel (22km / 30 min). The remainder of the morning is at leisure. Even though Lalibela has been a destination for travelers and pilgrims since the 16th century, the town is remarkably undeveloped, with no banks or pharmacies. Thanks to UNESCO, the main road has been paved, and in recent years Lalibela finally received electricity. Water shortages are an almost daily occurrence and the hotels ration water. Be prepared to use a bucket for hand-washing and flushing the toilet during certain hours of the day and, anytime of day, showers are a quick affair. A hotel lunch is served at 12h30, following which we depart to view the truly remarkable Rock-Hewn Churches of King Lalibela (1st group). The Lalibela churches are said to have been constructed during King Lalibelas reign in the 12th and 13th centuries when Lalibela (then known as Roha) was the capital of the Zagwe dynasty. Today the Rock-Hewn Churches are a registered UNESCO World Heritage Site and the only examples of their type on earth. There are 6 churches in this group, clustered about a small stream called the Jordan River. One of these churches allows no women to enter. We take an evening meal at our hotel. Overnight Roha Hotel. [BLD]

Note: Daily water shortages may occur; be prepared to experience water rations and help to conserve the precious commodity.

Ethiopia is the oldest Christian community on earth; its iconographic and ceremonial practices owe much to early Judaism

DAY 7 :  LALIBELA: NEAKUTO LEAB. ROCK-HEWN CHURCHES
This morning we drive the 10km to the cave church Nakuto Laab founded by Emperor Nakuto Laab a pios Christian and nephew and successor to King Lalibela. Returning to the hotel for lunch, in the afternoon we visit the second and third groups of rock hewn churches, including the famous Bet Giyorgis. Lalibela is arguably one of the most important religious and historical sites in Africa, and certainly in the entire Christian world. Although it is not widely known in the west, Ethiopia was the first country to adopt Christianity and, due to Ethiopias becoming Christian long before the Catholic Church was born, the roots of Ethiopian Orthodox religious practices are as recognizably Hebrew as they are Christian. Legend has it that King Lalibela was exiled in Jerusalem and returned to Ethiopia to build a New Jerusalem. There are many theories as to how these architecturally extremely advanced churches were built, and who built them, and why they were built here. Some claim they are so unlike anything on earth they must have been built by angels, other say they were built by the Knights de Templars who came here to find and protect the Arc of the Covenant, a quest that gave birth to the legend of the Holy Grail. Evening meal. Overnight Roha Hotel. [BLD]

Note: Daily water shortages may occur; be prepared to experience water rations and help to conserve the precious commodity.

DAY 8 :  ADDIS ABABA: FLY ADDIS. FAREWELL MEAL
This morning after a leisurely breakfast we drive to the airport for our flight back to Addis Ababa. On arrival we transfer to our hotel, where lunch will be served. The afternoon is left free to follow any personal arrangements for visits or activities connected to our UNFPA experiences, or to explore Addis at our leisure. One suggestion is to arrange personal visits to the National Archeological Museum of Addis Ababa. Your guide is on hand to assist. Exhibits include the 3.5 million-year-old Lucy (when shes not on tour), a discovery of archeological importance greater even than Tut Ankh Amun, and the solution to the missing link theory that put to rest much of the previous conjecture on human development. There are also exhibits that cover much of Ethiopias fascinating history, from the Axumite and Gondarene periods up to the monarchs Tewodros and Menelik.  In the evening we drive to the Crown Hotel where we have arranged a sumptuous farewell dinner and folkloric dance. Our UNFPA field officers will join us for our farewell meal. Overnight Sheraton Hotel [BLD]

DAY 9 :  ADDIS ABABA: DEPARTURE
Transfer to the airport for your departure, or to continue your traveling on our extension to Gondar, Axum and the Simmien Mountains.

Questions? Ask Our Program Directors.

. C o n t a c t Jeff Stivers 1(800)345-4453