Some info on the DESTA project

It seems from various comments that people are actually visiting this blog, so just to fill in some details, here is an extract from the exec summary of the last trip report in 2006.

(DESTA means Joy in the Amharic language - in the context of this project it is an acronym for Development, Empowerment, Sustainability, Technology and Accountability)

"The team has continued development work to grow and extend the Desta Project. The following goals were achieved in 2006 with the support and assistance of many people in Ethiopia, New Zealand and the UK.

1. EDUCATION:
- Degan Secondary School library built with British Airways donation
- Deliver funds to Girar Amba Primary School
- Deliver an autobiographical scrapbook from Gulf Harbour Primary School (Auckland, NZ)
- Facilitate production of a similar scrapbook by Girar Amba students
- Record this for later use in fund raising

2. HEALTH
- Consult women’s health pioneer and gynecologist Dr Catherine Hamlin
- Visit new Degan Health Centre under construction
- Investigate facilities at the new health centre
- Consult on maternal mortality reduction strategy next step
- Deliver donation to Degan Clinic medicines fund

3. MICRO ENTERPRISE
- Follow up with farmers on cattle fattening project
- Research costs and strategy for micro enterprise research project
- Follow up on gloves for rope makers

4. CONSULT THE COMMUNITY ON THE NEXT PROJECT

5. GROWING DESTA

6. DIRECT SUPPORT TO INDIVIDUALS"