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last updated: 07/06/2010

Inauguration of Medicinal Plants Research Laboratory
At Ancient Ankober

Saturday June 5, 2010

The laboratory is established in ancient Ankober in the framework of cooperation between the Italian NGO “Increasing Peoples Opportunity” (IPO) and Ankober Woreda Development Association (AWDA) in promoting community Herbal Care. Work started in 2008 in establishing the laboratory that would produce galenical preparations from traditionally and internationally known plants benefiting the communities of the area. The laboratory has its own garden, a drying room and a laboratory on a land provided by the Ankober Woreda administration. IPO and AWDa made special agreement with Debre Berhan University to develop the center on sustainable way.

To start with, IPO equipped the laboratory and provided a pharmacist expert from Italy, Mr. Ludwig Alzetta who conducted for about eight weeks technical training on galenical preparations with eight staff members of Debre Berhan University. The University staff is expected to continue conducting research at the Laboratory on the medicinal plants and produce galenical preparations benefiting communities.

The Laboratory was officially opened on Saturday June 5, 2010 in the presence of about 150 invited guests. Several department heads of the Woreda Administration, elders and representatives of the communities surrounding the laboratory and Debre Berhan University Vice-presidents and Department heads were present. The Ribbon to officially open the center was cut by Mr. Filippo Guidi, the program director of the donor organization, “Association Street Spirits” from Italy, the Vice-president of Debre Berhan Univesity Dr. Tamire Zewdu and the representative of Woreda administration.

Mr. Filippo Guidi, the program director of the donor organization, “Association Street Spirits” from Italy, the Vice-president for Research and Community Service of Debre Berhan University Ato Tefera Adinew, the Woreda Administration, the Tcheffa Kebele head representing the community addressed the gathering. Dr. Kassa Demissie, Community Service Director and Ato Abebe Tadesse Director of Research and Development also attended the session. They all expressed their satisfaction and declared their intention to support the center.

The occasion was facilitated by Dr. Haile Gabriel Dagne, Board Chairman of AWDA.

"Let us develop Ankober together"

Ankober Woreda Development Association (AWDA) is a non-profit and non-governmental organization committed to mobilize and assist friends, residents and organizations interested to contribute to development efforts of the people of ancient Ankober.

Ankober Woreda Development Association (AWDA) issued its appeal to all friends, supporters and former residents of Ankober residing at home and elsewhere in the world to pay special attention to the dire development need of ancient Ankober. This appeal was issued at Gorebella at the third Board meeting on December 21, 2008.

The Board stated that ever since Emperor Yukuno Amlak (1268-1280) made Ankober the center of the Ethiopian Kingdom, it became throughout the centuries midpoint of exchange from Tadjoura at the Red Sea coast through Aliyo Amba to Jima and Gondar.

Since the end of the 19th century, as the center of the kingdom shifted to Addis Ababa, Ankober was abandoned. Centuries long cultivation and high increase of population left Ankober mountains degraded. Today, compared to other similar areas, Ankober is one of the most backward district in terms of agricultural productivity, technological and social development.

The people and institutions of Ankober need the support of institutions, friends and Ankobereans abroad in their struggle to increase productivity and alleviate poverty.

Please read in our Web site for more detail as to which areas and projects of development your support would contribute and benefit the people.