2009 Ethiopia Water Tour: January 10–16

A Water 1st Tour is a once-in-a-lifetime journey for the adventure traveler that will give you a first-hand look at the work of Water 1st. Water 1st provides grants to non-governmental organizations based in developing countries to support the implementation of projects that include the provision of drinking water, hygiene education, and sanitary latrines. Once each year, we escort groups of people to witness these extraordinary programs.

Water Tour Dates: January 10 –16, 2009

Accompany Water 1st staff to communities with in-progress and completed water projects in the Oromia region, three hours west of Addis Ababa. Interact with community members and learn about their lives and their water projects, participate in a one-day work project in a community building a water system, and meet with representatives of our local partner organization, Water Action. Optional tour of the capital city Addis Ababa included, with visits to the National Museum where the remains of “Lucy,” a 3.2 million year old fossil of the first human, is held, Entoto National Park, the famous St. George Church, and the Mercato shopping area, the largest open air market in Africa.

"Ethiopia was an incredible experience with people who know a little something about life at the edge of existence, never far from the fears of illness and death. The question that circled my mind throughout the trip was, ‘Why are you here, Mark?’ I was traveling with Water 1st on behalf of Covenant World Relief to see some of the projects our funding made possible. But this was the surface reason. I was interested in the deeper, more personal reason for my trip."
Mark Nilson – 2008 Water Tour Participant

Water Tour Itinerary:

January 10: Join tour in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
You will be met at Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia by a Water 1st representative. Transfer to hotel. Welcome drinks and short orientation. Overnight: Global Hotel (3-star). Meals: dinner.

January 11: Addis Ababa
Optional city tour and shopping in the morning. Afternoon visit to offices of WaterAction, a leading water and sanitation organization in Ethiopia and a Water 1st local partner, for a presentation of their work and our visit goals. Dinner at the Top View Restaurant, with a spectacular view of Addis Ababa. Overnight: as above. Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

January 12: Addis Ababa to Oromia
Breakfast in Addis Ababa. Travel to Ginchi town in Dendi Woreda, two hours west of Addis Ababa. Meet with local Water Action field staff for an overview of their program and progress update on the projects supported by Water 1st. Ethiopian lunch and coffee ceremony in Ginchi town. Dinner and overnight in Ambo at Abebech Metaferia Hotel (3 star). Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

January 13 and 14: Ambo and Dendi Woredas, Oromia
Half-day work project–help in the construction of a new water system. Visit a completed project and meet the water committee and community members. Visit a community in need of a water project and funding. Walk to communities’ current water source. Dinner and overnight as above. Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

January 15: Oromia to Addis Ababa
Travel back to Addis Ababa. Visit the Merkato, the largest open air market in Africa. Dinner at Castelli’s famous Italian restaurant. Overnight in Addis Ababa. Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

January 16: Tour ends, Addis Ababa
City tour. Visit the National Museum to see the remains of “Lucy,” a 3.2 million year old fossil of the first human, St. George’s Church, and other Addis Ababa highlights. We will celebrate our final evening together with dinner at an Ethiopian restaurant with traditional dancing. Transfer to airport for overnight flights to Europe/USA. Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight in Addis Ababa for those flying out January 17.

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