The trip for the dedication of Zemene’s School in Belissa, Ethiopia, which was funded by Pathways, is set for January 16th – 25th, 2020. This adventure covers visiting historical sites in Addis Ababa, Gondar, Lalibela and Axum area and includes 2 days of trekking in the beautiful Simien Mountains and attending the Timket Festival* in Gondar. In addition, we will be connecting with the work of Dr. Rick Hodes and St. Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity.
The trip will be limited to 10 people. The cost is $5,000 per person (single supplement $664 additional), not including roundtrip airfare to Ethiopia, in country air transportation of $530 (if you are using Ethiopian airlines for the international flight you will get a discount of $235 per person), personal expenses and Visa. Most other costs are included (accommodations, most meals, guiding services and 4 wheel drive vehicles, museum entrance fees, and administrative costs, etc.).
If you have any interest in participating in this once-in-a-life-time unique adventure, please contact Pathways to Children (612.255.2791 or pathwaystochildren@gmail.com) for more details. This trip is during a heavy travel time in Ethiopia which necessitates an upfront commitment and a deposit. There will be a $25% nonrefundable deposit ($1,250) due upon confirmation no later than August 1st, with the balance ($3,750) due December 2, 2019, 45 days prior to commencement of the tour. Your deposit would be refunded if the trip is cancelled because of safety concerns in the region.
ITINERARY IN SUMMARY
Date Accommodation
Jan 16 Arrival at Addis Ababa Sheraton Addis
Jan 17 Addis Ababa Sheraton Addis
Jan 18 Lalibela Mezena Lodge
Jan 19 Gondar, *Timket Festival Mayleko Lodge
Jan 20 Gondar, Simien Mountains Limalimo Lodge
Jan 21 Simien Mountains, Gondar Mayleko Lodge
Jan 22 Dedication of School in Belissa Mayleko Lodge
Jan 23 Addis Ababa Sheraton Addis
Jan 24 Departure from Addis
| Additional Background InformationDr. Rick Hodes has dedicated his life to helping heal the sick and poor of Ethiopia over the past 25 years. Making the Crooked Straight Film is about this remarkable man’s journey to save the world by saving one child at a time. We will be visiting Dr. Hodes clinic on the trip.
Zemene is a documentary that follows Zemenework (Zemene), as she fights to keep hope alive and survive her life-threatening condition of Kyphosis, a severe curvature of the spine and the friendship she develops with her doctor, Dr. Rick Hodes. Set in the beautiful countryside of Ethiopia, the story begins in Zemene’s small rural village of Belissa. *The Timket Festival commemorates Christ’s baptism in the Jordan River by John the Baptist. Priests sprinkle holy water over the Christians present and receive the renewals of their vows. The congregation then follows the bishops, elders, and clergy as the Tabot is carried back to the church. Fasiladas’ bath in Gondar is the best place to experience the colorful celebration of Timket. It is hilarious to see hundreds of pilgrims jump into the water of Fasilidas’ bath at the end of the celebration. |
