Our News

May 2008

Next to the Museum, a two-roomed traditional stone Tigraian building has been made available to visitors with their own camping equipment to stay in.

Signposts have been erected between Mekele and the valley to enable visitors to find it.

April 2008

A 4 km long water channel and reservoir was completed to bring clean water to this arid area of the valley and to sustain the growth of the trees planted in 2007.

October 2007

The Church had its official opening following its restoration. The colourful ceremony was followed by feasting, music and dancing involving the whole community.

September 2007

Solar power panels were installed providing sustainable electricity to light the Church, museum and community hall.  This is the first electricity source in the area.

July 2007

The crack in the church roof has been repaired. New wooden doors and windows installed allowing the birds to be removed and the church cleaned. Stone covers for graves cut into the floor are being made locally.

The programme to plant 4,000 locally produced tree seedlings commenced. These are hardy varieties selected to survive the harsh local climate. They will combat erosion and provide fruit for the local community. The three-month rainy season should give them a good start.

A 2km water channel to bring water to the trees during the dry season was commenced.

April – June 2007

It was decided to build a small museum based on the pattern of a round stone Tigraian farmhouse to display the large quantity of lithics dating from the Upper Palaeolithic to the Early Bronze Age (c50,000-3,000 BC) discovered on the river terraces below the church. The National Museum in Addis Ababa has agreed that these can be displayed locally. The scattered church treasures, including illustrated books, will also be included.

The church lands were terraced – a total of 6 kms. This involved 2,000 local people organised by the local organizing committee that includes representatives of all sections of the community as well as EHT and the Tigrai Commission.

March 2007

The church is carved from what appears to be a prehistoric rock platform jutting from a cliff high above a lush valley.

In March an experienced international archaeological and conservation team surveyed the church and surrounding area. The conservation and restoration measures required were drawn up.

Future Plans

The charity is exploring the possibility of building a small lodge for visitors to stay in while participating in the activities of this very friendly, lively local village, visiting the surrounding rock hewn churches and viewing the wild life. The current plan is that the lodge will be managed locally under supervision. After a suitable interval it will be donated to the community as a local resource.

This phase of the project has entered the planning stage but cannot be undertaken until sufficient funds have been raised.

Registered Charity No. 1118736