Our Aims

The Eyesus Hintsa Trust and its partners in Ethiopia aim to conserve the church and its treasures, to support the local communities with training and education programmes that will enable them to maintain the church in future years and, to promote the site and to encourage sustainable tourism in the region.

Many different aspects will be covered within the project:

There will be a study of the entire history of the site of Eyesus Hintsa, from its prehistoric beginnings to the present day and an assessment of the site within its immediate landscape, incorporating a detailed survey of the river valley below. Then we will conserve and restore the rock-hewn church and its treasures, preserving its historical and cultural importance. The grounds of the church will be terraced and planted and a small museum will be built there to house he church treasures.

We aim to encourage sustainable tourism in the region: a small well-illustrated book has been written on the region in order to help market a day-trip from Mekele for the discerning tourist, incorporating a visit to Gijet, Eyesus Hintsa and the river valley below.

Encouragement of existing local skills and provision of training in all elements of the project wherever necessary  is a major priority of the project, as is the understanding of priority social needs within the local community (at both Eyesus Hintsa itself and the village of Gijet) so that the Eyesus Hintsa Trust can fundraise to meet those needs.

Registered Charity No: 1118736