13 Day Itinerary Addis Ababa to Lalibela, Ethiopia
November 21- December 3, 2010
Amhara Women by Evgeniy Zotov
Sunday Nov 21: Day 1– Arrival in Addis
Be welcomed by your guide on arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Air Port. In the evening, SalaamGarage team meet-up.
Monday Nov 22: Day 2 – Sightseeing Addis & Welcome Dinner
Sight seeing tour of Addis Ababa
Welcome dinner with Hamlin Fistula Foundation to meet directors and learn about upcoming days with the organization.
Tuesday Nov 23, 24, 25, 26
Day 3- 7 Working with NGO
Break into groups for stories
Saturday Nov 27: Day 8 – Addis to Debre Markos (Hike Day)
Hike Day- crossing the magnificent Blue Nile Gorge.
Debre Markos– the Debre Libanos monastery(13th Century AD)
Sunday Nov 28: Day 9 – Debre Markos – Bahir Dar (Culture and Walk)
Across the fertile lands of Gojjam, which is the breadbasket of the country by the production of Teff grain from which Injera, the Ethiopian national bread, is made from. Visit the famous Blue Nile Falls.
Monday Nov 29: Day 10 – Bahir Dar
Fistula Foundation Mini Hospital in Bahir Dar.
Gondar – the 17th century capital of Ethiopia.
Visit the Imperial Castle Compound of Gondar (UNESCO World Heritage Site), the Bath of Emperor Fasiladas and the church of Debre Birhan Sillassie
Wedensday Dec 1: Day 12 – Gondar – Lalibela (Culture and Village Visits)
Lalibela photo by mK B. on Flickr
Through the scenic Wollo Mountains with stops at the traditional villages of the Amhara people.
Thursday Dec 2: Day 13 – Lalibela (Final Day Culture, Travel, Walks)
Lalibela– home of the 12th and 13th Century AD hand carved churches of King Lalibela (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
Outbound travel
What is Obstetric Fistula: An obstetric fistula is an injury that happens to a mother during childbirth. It occurs when the baby’s head gets stuck during labor. Essentially the baby is too big to be born through the vagina. The constant pressure of the head in the birth canal causes a tear or hole to form either between the bladder and vagina, the rectum and vagina, or both. As a result, the woman is rendered totally incontinent of urine and/or feces. This condition does not heal on it’s own, surgery is the only option.
The Hospital- The hospital turns no patient with these injuries away. A space is always found, a fully trained and experienced doctor examines her gently and then plans are made for treatment. On average 3000 procedures are done every year in the main hospital as well four rural outreach centers. Since its establishment, the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital has treated more than 35,000 women with Obstetric Fistula but the number of patients is still rising. More than 98% of this injury happens as a result of prolonged and obstructed labor, with no medical intervention.
The Mission- “To see improvement in maternal health bringing to an end Obstetric Fistula.”
For the story Ideas available to the Ethiopia 2010 team please go to the Ethiopia Stories page.
Ethiopia November 2010: Nov. 21- Dec. 3, 2010
13 Day Itinerary Addis Ababa to Lalibela, Ethiopia
November 21- December 3, 2010
Amhara Women by Evgeniy Zotov
Sunday Nov 21: Day 1– Arrival in Addis
Be welcomed by your guide on arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Air Port. In the evening, SalaamGarage team meet-up.
Monday Nov 22: Day 2 – Sightseeing Addis & Welcome Dinner
Sight seeing tour of Addis Ababa
Welcome dinner with Hamlin Fistula Foundation to meet directors and learn about upcoming days with the organization.
Tuesday Nov 23, 24, 25, 26
Day 3- 7 Working with NGO
Break into groups for stories
Hike Day- crossing the magnificent Blue Nile Gorge.
Debre Markos– the Debre Libanos monastery(13th Century AD)
Sunday Nov 28: Day 9 – Debre Markos – Bahir Dar (Culture and Walk)
Across the fertile lands of Gojjam, which is the breadbasket of the country by the production of Teff grain from which Injera, the Ethiopian national bread, is made from. Visit the famous Blue Nile Falls.
Monday Nov 29: Day 10 – Bahir Dar
Fistula Foundation Mini Hospital in Bahir Dar.
Gondar – the 17th century capital of Ethiopia.
Visit the Imperial Castle Compound of Gondar (UNESCO World Heritage Site), the Bath of Emperor Fasiladas and the church of Debre Birhan Sillassie
Wedensday Dec 1: Day 12 – Gondar – Lalibela (Culture and Village Visits)
Lalibela photo by mK B. on Flickr
Through the scenic Wollo Mountains with stops at the traditional villages of the Amhara people.
Thursday Dec 2: Day 13 – Lalibela (Final Day Culture, Travel, Walks)
Lalibela– home of the 12th and 13th Century AD hand carved churches of King Lalibela (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
Outbound travel
Deposit: $500 due by July 21, 2010
Balance: $3150 due by August 21, 2010
Cost: $3350 after $300 grant ($3650 before Engage! Refund)
how to pay: http://salaamgarage.com/trips/payment/
Click here to apply for this trip.
Click here for $300 Engage! Refund info and guidelines
Ethiopia partner NGO is the Hamlin Fistula International
NGO Hamlin Fistula Foundation, Ethiopia
What is Obstetric Fistula: An obstetric fistula is an injury that happens to a mother during childbirth. It occurs when the baby’s head gets stuck during labor. Essentially the baby is too big to be born through the vagina. The constant pressure of the head in the birth canal causes a tear or hole to form either between the bladder and vagina, the rectum and vagina, or both. As a result, the woman is rendered totally incontinent of urine and/or feces. This condition does not heal on it’s own, surgery is the only option.
The Mission- “To see improvement in maternal health bringing to an end Obstetric Fistula.”
For the story Ideas available to the Ethiopia 2010 team please go to the Ethiopia Stories page.
Links to more info, inspiration, and suggested readings:
Hamlin Fistula Hospital on Flickr
Journalist Nicolas D. Kristof Blog at the NYTIMES on Fistulas
NYTIMES Nicolas Kristof World Fistula Fund
USAID site on Ethiopia Fistulas
Budget Travel ‘Sacred Africa’ about Lalibela-”Nearly eight centuries ago, 11 churches were carved into the Ethiopian earth. You don’t have to be a believer to be intrigued by their mystery or awed by their majesty.”
At SocialDocumentary.net is a powerful photo essay shot at the Hamlin Fistula Hospital about obstetric fistula in Ethiopia by Bulgarian photographer Yanina Manolova