Lalibela, Ethiopia`s twelfth-century capital – “the Jewel in Ethiopia`s crown” - is a remote town situated 2,600 metres in the Ethiopian Highlands with surrounding peaks approaching 4,000 metres. It is probably the most famous tourist site and most popular Christian pilgrimage centre in Ethiopia with its clusters of twelfth-century rock-hewn underground churches. Lalibela`s population is about 20,000 with 250,000 Ethiopians eking out a subsistence living in the mountainous, deforested, barren, isolated catchment area. The rural population, exposed to climate warming and the ever increasing infertility and loss of topsoil, struggle to survive. Their poverty is heartbreaking. One million died in the 1984 Ethiopian famine which occurred around Lalibela.


It is now eight years since our plane`s flight was delayed, a total of ten visits and a rollercoaster of emotions.

We have been amazed and humbled by the number of individuals of all ages, schools and organisations in and around Glastonbury who have been interested and contributed towards our projects. All the schools in their own way have touched the lives of their fellow Ethiopians. The Somerset schools` crested sweatshirts and clothing on Ethiopian schoolchildren, new classroom furniture, computer equipment, writing materials, a new football, a tennis ball instead of a bundle of tightly tied rags all make an impact.

They can give nothing in return except their thanks, their friendliness and their hospitality which they do in abundance. It is part of their culture, despite their desperate hardship, to share whatever they have and ask for nothing in return.

We are drawn to return by the generosity of the Glastonbury area support and the heartfelt thanks of the Lalibela community. We never fail to be moved by the people and experiences we encounter.

A visit to Lalibela is a life-changing and life-enriching opportunity which we thoroughly recommend.

We will return in October 2012 and welcome enquiries from anybody interested in joining us.

Latest website update: 28-Nov-2011

Our Ethiopian Experience

In April 2003 my wife and I, as tourists, visited the ancient historical sites of Ethiopia.
The itinerary included a forty-eight hour stop-over in the Ethiopian Highlands to explore the twelfth-century churches of Lalibela. Whilst preparing to leave Lalibela, we learnt that our plane`s departure was delayed for a few hours. Simply to “fill the time” we asked our guide if we could visit the local hospital? We were shocked by the conditions. My wife left in tears.


LALIBELA PROJECTS

Helping Education, Health and Water Supply

We have recently entered partnership with an English couple, Norman and Carole, who, since 2003, in non-NGO areas in the Lalibela catchment region have initiated and funded the majority costs of 22 spring improvement projects, 20 classrooms, 6 health posts and two irrigation projects. This year our supporters have donated £10,000 towards construction and completion of a new health post, £2,000 towards a clean water project and £1,000 for classroom equipment.

Safe Motherhood Project and PADet

Safe Motherhood remains a major fundraising project . Since 2006, PADet (Professional Alliance Development in Ethiopia) - an indigenous NGO - has been entrusted by Plan NGO to run our Safe Motherhood Project. We prioritise "hardware" - long term family planning aids and fistula repairs. The Safe Motherhood Project pays all expenses for fistula women. Absolutely everything, including surgery, is free.  Forty-one women have had surgery, nineteen women attended twice and six women three times.   

Millfield- Lalibela Secondary School link

Since 2004, pupils of Lalibela Secondary School have hugely benefited from the generosity of pupils of Millfield Senior, Preparatory and Pre-Preparatory schools. Over £14,000, raised by the pupils, has significantly contributed towards the construction of new classrooms and equipment, textbooks, reference books and computers.
In addition, Millfield has donated sports equipment, footballs, tennis balls and sports clothing which are highly prized.
This year we established good links with the Secondary School and now await Millfield`s decision regarding a staff/pupil visit to Lalibela.

Women`s Chicken Breeding Project 

The women's chicken breeding project has been disappointingly slow to progress but an action plan has been put forward.  The male project manager has abruptly left possibly taking some of the money.  The police and local microfinance are investigating.

Plan Ethiopian sponsor-children – Somerset link 

Somerset schools, organisations and individuals sponsor twelve Ethiopian school children in and around Lalibela.

LALIBELA 2011 - see Christmas letter 2011 under Reports

In October my wife and I returned to Lalibela for our tenth visit to discuss with Plan, PADet and others the progress of our projects.  We officially opened the Bilballa health post. We also visited nine Plan sponsor-children either in their huts or their rural primary school. We inspected a rural health centre and spring improvement project. In Lalibela, we visited the huge secondary school, the primary school and a kindergarten. The catalyst for our involvement in Lalibela - the hospital - remains underfunded, poorly maintained and in need of urgent investment and overhaul.