Ethiopian Eco-Lodge

ABOUT ABUNE YOSEPH

Abune Yoseph is a gorgeous mountain in Northern Ethiopia. It's untouched beauty is filled with wildlife such as the red fox, baboons, African wildcats, leopards, and over 220 different kinds of birds. The mountain is also home to monasteries built in the 13th century.

What's most exciting about the mountain is the new International Space Observatory Center that is expected to finish construction soon. It will attract scientists and researchers from all over the world, and it will also be open to the public. Already, it's received famous visitors such as former President George W. Bush and celebrity Brad Pitt.

The mountain is only 12 miles outside the charming town of Lalibela which is most known for its rock churches. It can be easily reached by car, plane, or helicopter.



ABOUT THE PROJECT

Currently there is no where to sleep on Abune Yoseph so guests are forced to return back to Lalibela or go without shelter.

The project, Harbay Eco-Lodge, is the solution. Only local traditional materials, using centuries-old construction techniques are to be used. The lodge will fully compliment the spectacular location of Abune Yoseph, which is renowned for its brilliant, unparalleled scenery. It will provide all the comforts and amenities of back home mixed with a “touch of Africa.”

Since it is located on a staggering large amount of land (over 40,000 square meters), guests will spend the day surrounded by the serenity of nature and encounter wildlife up close and personal.

Being only a five minute walk way from the space observatory, guests can gaze at the stars all night long and return with ease back to their rooms.

Volunteers have been chosen domestically as well as internationally, in the architectural planning of the building. Harbay is designed to become Ethiopia's, as well as Africa's contribution in international space research.

However, what's still needed are building materials, such as red-brick, the inside materials, and labor costs. It is hoped they can be covered by this campaign.



ABOUT THE PROJECT OWNER

Born and raised in poverty near the town of Lalibela, Abebe Getahun began working to support his parents and siblings, as soon as he was 8 years old. By asking a trickle of foreign visitors who had found their way to his home-town if he could be their guide, he was able to help contribute to his family's livelihood.

After a chance meeting with one Canadian, he had his education subsidized. And once his English improved, together with his latent skills and talents, Abebe decided to use his ambitious nature wisely. In time, he developed his own touring company, and has helped many people so far, along the way.

But now, he sincerely believes he can give back even more. Armed with such aspirations, Abebe hopes to trade traditional hopelessness, the poverty and despair he experienced within his own family, as well as that experienced by others of his community, for something somewhat less traditional. And for that, which he strongly believes will become the way of the future.

Abebe Getahun is positive the Harbay Project stands for a stronger, and better future, not just in Ethiopia, but for Africa as a whole.


SOCIAL IMPACT

Harbay Lodge, while technically a registered business for legal reasons, is all about making a difference.  Here are just a few ways it will do so: 

1) The people in Abune Yoseph are really hard working, however, many of them cannot find jobs to support themselves or their children. This means they can't provide for basic medicine or pay school fees. Harbay Lodge (along with the new space center) are the only companies in the area, and will be able to provide sustainable good paying jobs.

Besides the staff at Harbay (cooks, maids, front desk workers, managers, security guards, maintenance workers, yard keepers, etc.), locals can apply to become trusted tour guides and trek guides for the tourists. Farmers can rent their horses and donkeys for rides on the mountains, and can produce the vegetables and fruits that will be eaten at the hotel. Additionally, locals especially the women will be able to sell snacks, crafts, etc. Others can be the drivers needed to get the tourists from the airport to the lodge, etc.

The basic idea is to provide sustainable income so that the locals don't have to go without or depend on aid.

2) Because the mountain hasn't been cultivated at all, it's very hard for locals to get water. There also isn't currently a good road on the mountain which means that those who live there have a hard time leaving to come to nearby towns for work and kids have a much longer walk to school. (Some of them walk 90 minutes each way). However, because of Harbay and the space center, they are starting to pave a real road. Also, Abebe will have to pay for a much better water supply for his guests which he will also make available for locals to use as well.

3) Abebe is a local Ethiopian with no plans to leave the community. That means all the profits he makes will go directly back to the area.  And even though he doesn't have a lot of money now, he still supports his 3 younger siblings because his parents are unable to do so. He also helps a few other kids in the community get their school fees paid for too. However, 20 other international companies actually applied for the land he has. The government let Abebe have it because he reserved it first. If the land would have gone to them, they could have taken all the profits to their home country leaving little leftover. But because Abebe has it-- it will remain there, doing good in Abune Yoseph



WHY WE NEED YOUR HELP

Without you, Harbay Lodge will never be built.

Every dollar you spend goes directly into making this project a success. And the success of this project means the advancement of tourism and development in the Abune Yoseph/Lalibela area.

Thank You.





CONTACT US:

We'd love to hear from you. Say hi on our Facebook Page or message us if you have any questions.


CAMPAIGN ENDS: OCTOBER 31, 2015