AWDA Board on its meeting of 21 December 2008 unanimously nominated Ato Tesfaye Kebede to represent AWDA in Washington and do his best in mobilizing friends supporters of Ankober to contribute to the development of the area.

You reach Ato Tesfaye:

1942 9th St NW Washington DC 20001

(202) 232-7600

Ankbober Woreda Development Association (AWDA) signed on July 2, 2008 a Memorandum  of Understanding and Project Agreement with  the Italian organization, Increasing People’s Opportunities (IPO) to implement  a Herbal Development and Care Project involving:

• ·         Training of staff and providing of services to develop the capacity of community health workers in the field of dermatology
• ·         Dermatological check ups and medical examinations
• ·         Outpatients clinical operation
• ·         Research in the field of medicinal plants and the development of nurseries involving local farmers
• ·         Construction  of research laboratory for medicinal plants in association with the Gondar University.

The project, will be implemented in 2001 Ethiopian Calender.

The Explorer  Antinori

and the Reserach Centre on Biodiversity

The Orazio Antinori  (Perugia 1811-1882 Ankober) was one of the founders of Italian Geographical Society and was its  Secretary-General.  In 1876, the Society appointed him to lead the “Great Expedition to the Equatorial Lakes” and entered Ethiopia in that capacity. In 1877, he started a “Geographical Station”  at Lit Marefia  in Ankober on land assigned by King Menelik.  He passed away in 1882 in Let Marefia, where his remains have been still lying.  Italians consider Orazio Antinori as the “Father” of the Italian explorers in Africa.

Scientists from the University of Perrugia who visited Lit marefia,  raised about 75,000 Birr for construction of two classrooms and desks for a nearby school in memory of Antinori. The classrooms were inaugurated on October 14 2008 in the presence of large Antinori delegation from Italy. 

CONTRIBUTIONS

1. Family Reinsberg from Hamburg Germany, contributed over 11,000 Birr for the construction of a clinic in Cheffa area of Ankober some years back. The construction of the clinic was delayed due to shortage of funding. Ankober Woreda Development Association, on its last meeting decided to take over the clinic project, mobilize fund and start with a Health Station that would eventually grow to clinic.
2. Friends,  supporters and former residents of Ankober at Nazreth town contributed 21,000 Birr in Cash and pledged to contribute another 15,000 in the near future. 
3. In a related development, Ankober Edir of Addis Ababa has contributed 5400 Birr as an initial contribution to the development efforts of the Ankober people. The Edir has contributed greatly to the establishment of Ankober Development Association.
4. Kebele 01 of Gorebela, Ankober Woreda donated 12,000 Birr to Ankober Development Association. We thank the member of our Board Ato Sissay Getachew who kindly coordinate the donation.

Acknowledgements

AWDA has released it's first web site, www.ankoberda.com, on May 04 2008. This web site is designed to facilitate communication between the organization, it's members, supporters and former residents of Ankober at home and elsewhere in the world. The web site is designed by Ato Masresha Fisseha (Addis Ababa) and is posted online by Ato Ephrem Belete Zelelew (USA). AWDA extends its thanks to Ato Masresha for designing and maintaining the web site  free of charge and Ato Eprem for finding the best hosting service provider and for uploading.

 PRINTING OF DOCUMENTS

AWDA extends its gratitude to Ato Teklearegay Mengesha, Head of Ethio Printers, Addis Ababa for printing free of charge receipts, head letters and the seal of the Association worth over 3500 Birr.