Ethiopia
Join us on a wonderful journey to Africa, Ethiopia!
After your arrival from the United States, you will rest a little at the Queen of Sheba Hotel in Addis Ababa, then in the afternoon you will visit the capital of Ethiopia which is the headquarter of African Union, its noteable buildings, museums and open markets where you can purchase gifts for children and souvenirs.
You will travel to Ambo, 135 km West of Addis Ababa,
which is famous for its mineral water and where you will stay
5 days at the Abebech Metaferia Hotel.
You will meet the 36 orphans of Reaching Hearts for Kids
Model Village, you will hand deliver gifts to the children,
play with them and contribute to the success of on-going projects.
This trip includes time to enjoy programs with local people,
visiting local families, cooking and having supper together,
and learning about their culture, everyday life, and difficulties.
All of this, and the opportunity to take a trip across the
beautiful mountains to the breath-taking Lake of Wonchi!
On your last day, after breakfast, your team will depart for Addis
with the 36 children and visit the zoo together. In the evening,
after farewells, you will leave to return to the USA.
During this trip, you will discover that helping is a tremendous
privilege and you will make a difference certainly!
 Lifelong experience is guaranteed!
The Ethiopia Story will continue with you!
Planned Itinerary
Ethiopia Mission Itinerary
Registration for October Trip 2008 closes
September 18 to ensure reasonable airfares.
Day 1 - Ethiopia, Addis Ababa arrival
You can depart to Addis Ababa from Washington DC, Dulles Airport at 9:30am with Ethiopian Airlines
Day 2 - Addis Ababa
Your flight will arrive at 8:35 AM (local time) in Addis Ababa. Flight time is around 15 hours. Transport to Queen Sheba Hotel to rest a little after your long journey. Airport transfer is included in the hotel’s price.
In the afternoon departure for sightseeing and shopping in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia and headquarter of the African Union.
We will visit museums and noteable buildings like St George’s Cathedral, Menelik’s Imperial Palace, National Palace, Africa Hall, visit local markets like Marketo, buying items needed for children. Supper with your coordinator and team.
Day 3 – Addis Ababa - Ambo, Reaching Hearts for Kids Model Village
Leave Addis Ababa to Ambo, Reaching Hearts for Kids Model Village Enjoy breakfast, then we will rent a mini bus and drive to Ambo which is famous for its mineral water. Check in at the Abebech Metaferia Hotel. We will visit the model village that Reaching Hearts for Kids supports in partnership with New Hope Center. Meet the 38 orphans. The team will play with children and hand deliver aid and gifts. Enjoy dinner together with the kids.
Day 4 – Ambo, Reaching Hearts for Kids Model Village
We will spend the day working on actual projects.
Day 5 – Ambo, Reaching Hearts for Kids Model Village
We will spend the day working on actual projects. Late afternoon we will visit a local family to learn about their everyday life and difficulties, in the evening cooking with local women, supper together.
Day 6 – Ambo, Reaching Hearts for Kids Model Village
We will spend the morning working on actual projects.
Day 7 – Lake of Wonchi
Relaxaton day. After breakfast at the hotel, spend time with children singing and story telling. Lunch with Kids at the home (vegetarian meal). In the afternoon we will enjoy the beautiful mountain chains and the historic crater lake of Wonchi, which is one of the most beautiful tourist attractions. (30 km, from Ambo)
Day 8 - Ambo, Reaching Hearts for Kids Model Village
We will spend the day working on projects.
Day 9 - Ambo, Reaching Hearts for Kids Model Village
We will spend the day working on projects.
Day 10 – Leave from Ambo – Addis Ababa arrival
Early morning we will depart for Addis Ababa with the kids and will organize programs together, visiting the zoo. Farewell, leave for home. Flight departs at 10:15 PM from Addis Ababa and arrives at 7:20 AM in Washington.
Items needed for children: shoes, socks, clothes/sweaters and jackets, school uniforms, school kits, blankets, pillows, sheets, towels
 www.reachinghearts4kids.org
Travel Logistics
Estimated cost per person:
$1960/volunteer (with airplane ticket)
$ 560/volunteer (without airplane ticket)
(Hotel based on double occupancy)
Hotel Name(s) Addresses and Phone
- Queen of Sheba Hotel, PO Box 5090 (Haile Guebre Selassie Road) Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Phone: (00251)-1-618 0000, (00251)-1-661 5400, queenshebahotel@ethionet.et
Cost per night (db): $109
- Abebech Metaferia Hotel, Ambo, Ethiopia
Phone : 011-2-362365/011-2-362366, Fax: : 011-2-362419
Cost per night (db) : $15
Transportation in Country
We will rent a minibus for volunteers to travel to the destinations.
Description of Ethiopia
Ethiopia is one of the few African countries never to lose its independence and it is as large as France and Spain combined and has one of the richest histories on the African continent. According to United Nations statistics, Ethiopia has the greatest number of orphans in the world. Also in 2008 a drought is expected to affect six East African countries and Ethiopia is one of them.
The Capital: Addis Ababa
The Capital was settled in 1886 and christened by Queen Taytu, consort of Emperor Menelik II. The population is estimated to be 3.2 million according to the official census of 2005-2006
Climate
The principal rainy season occurs between mid-June and September, followed by a dry season that may be interrupted in February or March by a short rainy season.
Time and electric supply
Ethiopia is in the GMT +3 hours time zone.Ethiopia follows the Julian Calander, which consists of Twelve months of 30 days each and a Threeten month of five and Six days. Ethiopia Uses 220volts 50 cycles AC.
Currency
Ethiopia’s unit of currency, the birr, is issued by the National Bank of Ethiopia (8.64 birr equal U.S.$1.00 2004 average). Other banks in the country include the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia and the Agricultural and Industrial Development Bank
Customs
Duty-free imports are permitted for up to:
A-200 cigarettes
B-1 lit of alcoholic beverages.
C-1/2 lit of perfumes. Visitors may export souvenirs with a value not exceeding E.birr 500.00
Visa
Visas are required for all visitors, however; nationals of 33 countries are given visa on arrival at Bole international Air Port.
(Argentina, Ireland, Portugal , Australia, Israel, Russia , Austria, Italy, South Africa , Belgium, Japan, Spain , Brazil, Kuwait, Sweden , Canada, Luxemburg, Switzerland , China, Mexico, Taiwan, Denmark, New Zealand, United Kingdom, France, Norway, United States, Finland, Netherlands and Germany.)
Vaccines:
Depending on your itinerary, your personal risk factors, and the length of your visit, your health care provider can offer you vaccination.
Land and population
Ethiopia covers an area of 1,133,380 sq km (437,600 sq mi). The heart of the country is a high tableland, known as the Ethiopian Plateau, that covers more than half the total area of the country. The plateau is split diagonally in a northeastern to southwestern direction by the Great Rift Valley. Although the average elevation of the plateau is about 1,680 m (about 5,500 ft), it is cut by many rivers and deep valleys, some of which are 600 m (2,000 ft) below the level of the plateau. The area is capped by mountains, the highest of which is Ras Dashen (4,620 m/15,157 ft). These heights and indentations occur in northern Ethiopia, in the region surrounding Lake T’ana (the lake in which the Blue Nile rises). Occupations in agriculture support 89 percent of all Ethiopians. Most agriculture consists of subsistence farming. The population is concentrated heavily in the central plateau region, where agricultural resources are most developed. The ethnic composition is extremely diverse, as a result of racial and linguistic integration that began in ancient times.
Government
The Ethiopia is an independent republic operating under the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. The president is the head of state, while the prime minister is the head of government.
Welcome to Ethiopia!
To register for this trip, please visit, To Participate on a mission...
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