Tigrai.net / Tigrai.org - The gateway to Ethiopia - Tigrai (Tigray) Tourism, Technology and Education Resource

The gateway to Ethiopia-Tigrai Tourism, Technology & Education Resource.
January 2006 News and Information

Adwa Queen Sheba School Alumni donate an historic U.S. $30,000 for the building of both Wood and Metal workshops

Professor Desta Asayehgn an Adwa Queen Sheba School Alumni donation of U.S $30,000.00 helped the building of both Wood and Metal workshops in Adwa, Tigray Ethiopia.

Tigraigna New Book -

Cultures that We Must Preserve and Reject - By Dr. Ghelawdewos Araia
Cultures that we must preserve and Reject is a new book authored by Dr. Ghelawdewos Araia. The Institute of development and Education for Africa (IDEA) encourages readers to get hold of this important book.
To Place an Order click here...

A Call for Submissions
If you have a talent of drawing pictures or painting, (you do not have to be a professional artist!) here is your chance to be published and for your work to appear in a children’s storybook. Read the short story, The Blind Fiddler, and submit a minimum of three pictures (you can submit more) to illustrate the story. Send your work electronically to gegorfu@yahoo.com the deadline for submission is February 1st. 2006

2nd int’l Littmann conference under way

The Democratic Process in Ethiopia LESSONS YET TO BE LEARNED - I, II, III, IV and conclusion

"We need to start respecting each other as fellow citizens of Ethiopia and learn democracy by the very steps taking place today. Mistakes by the opposition, mistakes by rioting youth, mistakes by the police force, and mistakes by the government, all are essential parts of the learning process. If this government is ultimately replaced by peaceful means, rather than by riots and an uprising, or by a military coup, we will have reached an important and historic milestone in the journey. ..." more
By G. E. Gorfu

First Festival community Tigrai will be held on Saturday January 7, 2006 (Ethiopian Christmas) from 8:00pm to 2:00am at 4610 North Fairfax Drive Arlington, VA For additional information click here
Guest Speakers:

Dr. Ghelawdewos Araia and

Dr. Solomon Abraham
Honorable guest:

Prince Mengesh Seyoum

A new Tigrai Community in North America (TCNA) established
The Tigrai Community in North America (TCNA)
click here to go to the new web site...

Two Wrongs won’t make one right
By: Seifeselassie Sibhatu, PhD (December 15, 2005)

Inside the Fistula Hospital - The Oprah Winfrey Show

When Liya's not commanding the catwalk, the 26-year-old wife and mother is a crusader working passionately with the World Health Organization to improve the lives of women and children around the world. She recently became involved with the Fistula Hospital to help women with fistula, a problem she wasn't aware of while she lived in Ethiopia.

THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW
Earlier this year Liya and her husband visited the hospital. The experience was so moving it sparked her to launch a crusade to help young women suffering from fistulas in her homeland.

"What's happening in the world is that half a million women during pregnancy and childbirth die every year," says Liya. "I'm getting a chance to give back to put this on the map."

U.S. Troops in Ethiopia Try to Save Abused Cheetah Cubs

GODE, Ethiopia — U.S. troops found two cheetah cubs — one of them blinded — being forced to fight each other for the amusement of jeering children in this dusty, forgotten village. Source: Foxnews.com

World Bank's director for Ethiopia and Sudan expects economy expansion

U.S. Aid Agency Increases Efforts To Fight Malaria in Africa

Washington -- The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced November 18 that it is seeking input from interested organizations able to implement a major public health program to fight malaria in Africa.(Image and news source: Embassy of the US - AA)

Ethiopia Slated to Join WTO Shortly

Africa in urgent need of AIDS prevention programs

What does it take to be a winner?
What does it take to be a winner? BBC Africa Live wants to know if winners are born or made. [Images-news source: bbc]

Factory produces more than 712,000 tons of cement
Mekele, August 10,2005 (WIC) - The Mesebo Cement factory has reportedly produced over 712,000 tons of cement during the just-ended fiscal year.

East Africa's terror ties
source:bbc]

Dibaba cuts down rivals as Olympic champions feel the heat

Ethiopia leaps into the information age
Good news often seems to be an endangered species in Africa, even if many parts of the continent are making quiet progress while others occupy the headlines with stories of conflict and disaster.

New Numbering Plan Change to be effected as of September 17, 2005 Across the Nation
Click here to get the new number directly
[Source: EthioIndex]

Ethiopia's digital dream
Twenty years ago, Ethiopia was in turmoil. Now there's a new kind of revolution sweeping the land, reports Michael Cross
Thursday August 4, 2005 (The Guardian)

Frenchmen write book on Tigray tourist attractions
Makalle, January 13,2006 - French Ambassador Stephane Gompertz yesterday handed over a book on tourist attractions of the Tigray State to a representative of the State government.

The Ultimate Off-Road Climbing Challenge
The ultimate adventure starts here. Imagine a wild country with mountains and cliffs that are virtually unexplored by climbers, where roads eat even the best 4-wheel drives and where the sun shines 13 months a year. This place is called Tigray, in the north of Ethiopia.

Ultimate Off-Road Climbing Challenge - tigrai - Tigray

Ethiopia is known to most of us for its recurrent droughts and famine and more recently for its border conflicts with Eritrea. Ethiopia is more than that. It is a beautiful country with amazing people and an enormous biodiversity. The struggling economy of this East-African country, currently still mainly based on agriculture, is looking for alternatives. A sustainable alternative is ecotourism.
Image Source: Tigray Rock Climbing

2nd int’l Littmann conference under way
Addis Ababa - The Embassy of Germany says that an international conference on Axumite and Tigrayan history was taking place at Axum town from January 7- 12, 2006.
The Embassy told ENA that the conference is the final event in a series of cultural events in the framework of the celebrations of 100 years permanent diplomatic relations between Ethiopia and Germany.

Do you know about Addis Ababa Italian Restaurant?
Castelli – 'the best Italian restaurant in the world bar none'
Christopher Middleton follows Bob Geldof's advice on where to find the world's best Italian restaurant*
According to Sir Bob Geldof, it's the best Italian restaurant in the world bar none. And for nearly 60 years, its home-made fettuccine al gorgonzola and raviolini verdi ai funghi porcini have won the approval of everyone from ex-President Jimmy Carter to Brad Pitt. [image: Bob Geldof] Bob Geldof: 'every time I'm in Ethiopia, I'm just aching to go to Castelli's'

How Not To Promote Ethiopia 101 / Correction
"It is clear that you have no excuse but to attack me and my observations, you have a responsibility to do a duty to the people of Ethiopia you claim to represent, that many of you failed to do so is a fact, and it will remain my observation like it or not and I have the Photos to prove it ../LinadOnTourism.htm if you did not like being in the photos, perhaps you should have done some meaningful work?" Read more...
Linda Wilimas

How not to promote Ethiopia - A response
Dear Tigray Net,
As one of the participants on the Ethiopia stand at the World Travel Market (WTM) in London, I would like to respond to the attack launched by Linda Williams (How not to promote Ethiopia), displayed on your website.
Linda describes herself as a free Lance Journalist (sic), but though she is eager to give out lessons to us in the tourist industry, she clearly knows little about journalism. An article, even an opinion piece, should make some attempt at balance by presenting different view points and relevant quotes. Instead, Linda gives us a rant (I wouldnt describe her contribution as an article) in which we only get her views, and her views alone. Even for a profession noted for its egotists, Linda surely qualifies for a special award in ego mania. Read more...

How not to Promote Ethiopia 101
The Ethiopia stand was tucked away in a dimly lit corner, sporting very unprofessionally designed posters with the same old bare breasted girls taken during the 1960s on the wall, badly lit graphics and some tacky pieces of Ethiopian traditional cloth tied to the poles, and then to make matters worse, it was empty! the people who were supposed to be there selling Ethiopia to tour operators who had come looking for business, were never at their pathetic looking tables and the two at most who were there were only interested in playing with their Mobile phones, you ask them for any information even the simplest question, and they point you to a poorly printed brochure that looks like the paper it is printed on has been recycled 100 times and say “ you can see this" Read more

Tourists Speak of Prevailing Peace in Ethiopia to Visit Historical Sites
US tourists who traveled recently to the various historical and scenic spots in Ethiopia said there is a reliable peace and stability to visit tourist attractions in Ethiopia. (Source: Allafrica.com)

Ethiopia: Home of the Ark of the Covenant
WAITE VISITS NORTHERN ETHIOPIA'S CHURCHES; FINDS EVIDENCE THE COUNTRY'S FAMINE IS OVER
AKSUM, Ethiopia - The U.S. Government didn't have to send Indiana Jones through snake-infested tombs and temples to find the Ark of the Covenant in the movie "Raiders of the Lost Ark."
[Source: Pahrump Valley Times]

China Said Ready to Increase Assistance to Education Dev't

The 3rd AYAA all years reunion is coming soon!
Hello Alumni and friends,
This is to let you know that our third reunion is going to to be in Seattle on Saturday, June 10th of 2006. We hope to see all of you there. All the details of the event will be shortly posted in our web site.

New Restrooms Open to Female Students
The new eight-room facility at Atse Yohannes High School, financed by AYAA, opened its doors to female students.

Ethiopian orphans, street children share their dreams in UN Children’s Fund book
25 November 2005 – Hundreds of street children, orphans of war and HIV/AIDS and other vulnerable youngsters all across Ethiopia talk about their devastating losses and their dreams of a future free from poverty in a new collection of stories by the United Nations Children’s Fund called “We Have A Dream.”

Alumni & Development

A Night with Raya - A Night to Remember!!
The Raya Relief and Development Association (RARDA) is a newly found non-governmental, non-partisan and non-political organization with the sole aim of helping the Raya Communities in Ethiopia. The elders amongst us remember the beauty, richness and abundance of Raya in the early years. However, due to man-made and natural causes this section of our homeland has become one of the neediest regions in our country.

AYAA Members and Friends Rally for a New Fence

Clarification of Calling for Unity

Note on Calling for Unity
Awlaelo Schools Alumni Association