reflection2_fogera

=Field Trip on 7 October= =NBDC Stakeholder Forum= =5–7 October 2011=

Trip to Fogera plains – Leader: Birhanu Zemedam

Notes by Aberra Adie

The group visited the paddy rice fields on Fogera plains and the special Awramba community. The community leader, Dr Zumra (honorary doctorate from Jimma University) who is the founder of the community made brief introduction about how the community evolved. According to him, he envisioned gender equity, work ethics, integrity, peace during his childhood at the age of four. When he grew up he shared his vision to some members in the region and those accepted united with him and formed a community called Awramba. The community currently with 122 hhs and about 450 population settled on only 17.5 hectares of land and making the livelihoods mainly from cloth making (weaving and finishing). There are a kindergarten, primary school up to grade 8 (now advancing to grade 10), elders’ care center, weaving association and machineries all governed by local by-laws and 13 different committees. Their primary motto is hard work, peace and integrity. Labor division is based on capacity and skill and not gender. A lot more to learn by visiting them at the site………………….