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Welcome to our home page
MENO-HIGHLAND PROJECT “Hilfe zur Entwicklung der Hochebene Meno in Äthiopien” e.V. “Support for the development of the highland of Meno in Ethiopia”
Our association was founded in 1996 by members of the Evangelical Church in Koblenz, Germany. The background of the foundation was that Ato Denbeshu Debeko who was living and working in Koblenz, was returning to his home in Sidama, Ethiopia. To keep in touch with him we tried to find a way to help his people there and thus build a bridge to Ethiopia. Upon returning home to Meno highland, Ato Denbeshu was shocked to learn of the extent of deforestation and erosion that had befallen the area. In collaboration with the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY) we initiated an afforestation project in 1999. The Development Department of the South-Central Ethiopia Synod of the EECMY plans and implements the projects together with Ato Denbeshu. So far our association consits of approximately 120 members and donors. The Project Area The Meno-Highland is situated in the Sidama-Zone of the SNNPR, Hagere Selam Woreda, which is 2500-3000 m above sea level. There is no infrastructure. To get to a road it is a 3 hour walk to the next village. Awassa is approximately 80 kilometres away.
The 17,000 people in the project area are living in 6 peasant associations. They are all Sidama and most of them are members of the EECMY. The Projects Our main project is the afforestation project. By cutting trees for firewood and overgrazing, forest has been dramatically reduced and the soil damaged by erosion. Since 1999 our nursery produces 100,000 tree seedlings per year. They are distributed to the public and planted in private and public plots.
The EECMY tries to raise awareness in the community for the necessity of afforestation.
The objectives of the project are: -the production of firewood, forage and timber -the introduction of fruit trees (apple tree seedlings were planted in 2003) -to enable interested farmers to run a private nursery -to make afforestation a custom in the community Furthermore, we finance an additional, smaller project every year that is proposed by the community. In 2001 a well was dug and a spring was protected to improve the access to clean water. Due to many problems it will take until November 2004 to finish this project. In 2002 the Shafame Tarche School was provided with desks, chairs and a blackboard. In 2003 we started the Bull-Project, where, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture we bought a Jersey bull and establish a breeding station in Meno-Highland. By producing crossbreeds with the local Zebu cows we intend to improve the milk yield of the cattle; this will make the farmer families need less cows which will reduce the peoblem of overgrazing.. Twenty four Zebu heifers were distributed to the poorest farmers in 2004 who have no cows at all. These farmers are obligated in the breeding project to give away the firstborn Jersey-Zebu heifer to another poor farmer. About one-third of the project costs are provided by the farmers themselves, mainly through labour.
Even with relatively modest funding we are gradually improving the living conditions in Meno-Highland We appreciate your support for our projects.
Contact: Verein “Hilfe zur Entwicklung der Hochebene Meno in Äthiopien”e.V. Gertrud-von-Le-Fort-Straße 6 56076 Koblenz Email w.leister@t-online.de The URL of this site is www.meno-lopho.de Our account-number is 40001307 at Sparkasse Koblenz (BLZ 570 501 20). BTW “Lopho” is a Sidaminya word and means “Development” Online since April 12th, 2004 Last update: May 23rd, 2004
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A Sidama tukul made of bamboo. 4 people, 20 sheep and 4 cows are living here.
Lalita nursery in 1999.
Pastor Zekwos Dumara orienting the farmers (1999).
2 year old Kosso trees (hagenia abyssinica) in August 2003.
2 year old Zebu-Jersey heifer (August 2003).
Constructing the guard’s house at the nursery in 1999.
