Hamlin Ethiopian Adventure ex Addis Adaba

A special insider's tour of the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital

Experience the International Women’s Day 5K

Raise vital funds for life-changing work

Challenge Highlights

  • Travel to Ethiopia with Team Hamlin
  • Take part in one of the best events in Africa: The International Women's Day 5K
  • Insider's tour of Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital
  • Head south to visit the Hamlin regional hospital and Midwifery Clinic in Yirgalem

Overview

This is a trip of a LIFETIME. This special insider's trip to the famous fistula hospital and the country that Dr Catherine Hamlin has called home for more than half a century. And the International Women’s Day 5K is not your average challenge: you'll be running (or walking) 5km, at altitude, with Ethiopians. Before the event, we will be visiting the Ethiopian regional hospital in Yirgalem, this is an extraordinary opportunity to immerse yourself in the fabric of some of these ancient cultures, from the tribal villages of the south and the coffee plantations, to the coffee ceremony throughout Ethiopia. It is indeed a land of contrasts. Visit the Hamlin College of Midwives and Desta Mender, the training and reintegration centre for long term patients. See the Bullets to Beads jewellery range being handmade in the mountains, visit the largest market in East Africa, experience a traditional coffee ceremony, spot monkeys and hyenas . Immerse yourself in this 10-day trip of a lifetime that will not only have a profound effect on your life but also the lives of so many in Ethiopia.

Fundraising Portal

Upon registration you will also receive a Huma Charity Challenge comprehensive confirmation kit that includes a Fundraiser's Guidebook; a great resource for fundraising ideas and support. The team at Catherine Hamlin Fistula Foundation in Sydney will be in touch with you upon registration to give you details of your own Team Hamlin online fundraising page. Your Hamlin fundraising page will chart your fundraising progress and your journey to Ethiopia allowing you to maximise your fundraising potential. Catherine Hamlin Fistula Foundation will provide you with resources to support your fundraising effort. The minimum fundraising target is $4,000. You can do it!

Challenge Grade

The touring element of this trip visits remote areas where facilities are often basic. These adventure tours will often involve long journeys and rough roads. To enjoy these adventures we suggest reasonable fitness and health, a moderately active lifestyle and a positive attitude. Suggested preparation: Two or three times a week, we recommend you walk on undulating terrain for an hour or more, for at least 3 months prior to departure.

We suggest that you refer to a fitness coach to establish what type of fitness regime you’ll require to complete (running or walking) the International Women's Day 5k.

You can refer to ethiopianrun.org for information about the run.

Itinerary

Arrive Addis Ababa. (Australian group arrive on Emirates at 13:30 from Dubai) Upon arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, you will be met by our local Ethiopian guide and transferred to your hotel to freshen up and a light meal before our afternoon sightseeing. We will visit historical sites in Addis Ababa including the National Archaeological Museum, where we will see the 3.6 million year old remains of “Lucy”, discovered in Ethiopia 40 years ago. Time depending we will also visit Mount Entoto which rises up to an altitude of 3200 meters and offers the panoramic view of the metropolis. Jupiter Hotel Bole

Meals:  L,D

After breakfast we visit the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital on the western side of the city. We will have morning tea with key personnel and enjoy a tour of the grounds followed by lunch with the nursing and theatre staff. In the evening we will enjoy dinner at one of the most fabulous cultural restaurants in Addis Ababa, where we will sample the food and drink and enjoy traditional dance. Jupiter Hotel Bole

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning we will visit the world famous Hamlin College of Midwives, meet key staff and tour the grounds. Lunch is at the Juniper cafe; a cafe run by past fistula patients. The afternoon is spent at Desta Mender (Joy Village), a farm and training centre for long term fistula patients. Meet staff and residents and learn about education, reintegration and microfinance programs. Jupiter Hotel Bole

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning we drive to Yirgalem, approx 5 hours, breaking the journey at Lake Ziway where we checkout the local fish market and keep an eye out for big storks along the lake. Our accommodation at Aregash Lodge is a peaceful heaven, the bamboo thatched Tukuls of Aregash Lodge are built in the style of a traditional Sidama village. Each bungalow is decorated with vibrant colors and furnished in traditional Sidama style to give a warm, luxurious feel. Aregash Lodge

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning we visit Yirgalem Hospital and the midwifery clinic to see first hand the work being done. The afternoon we have a cultural village visit and in the evening, there will be a coffee ceremony in the hotel you will be staying: if lucky you might witness a hyena around the lodge. Aregash Lodge

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning we fly from Awassa to Addis Ababa (about 50 mins). After lunch we visit historical sites in Addis Ababa including the Zoma Museum, a contemporary Art Center built with wattle and daub. In the afternoon we experience the bustle of the Mercato, the largest market in East Africa. Jupiter Hotel Bole

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning women will be transferred to the start line of the International Women’s Day 5k. As this run is a women only running event, men will be transferred to the finish line and able to cheer their friends on. This event is the experience of a lifetime, competing with the staff at Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia with 7000 Ethiopians and some of the best female athletes in the world! For those spectating, you’ll be able to be part of the festive and fun atmosphere and be an awesome support crew. In the afternoon we then head out to a mountain community where the women create the Hamlin "Bullets to Beads" jewellery, made from melted down bullet casings found on Ethiopian farm land. In the evening we will enjoy a celebrations dinner at local restaurant in Addis Ababa. Jupiter Hotel Bole

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning is free before we head to the Makush Art Gallery to check out local artists, follow by an early lunch at the Art Gallery. At midday we check out of our hotel and transfer to Addis Ababa airport for your flight home. (Australian group depart on Emirates 724 at 16:15.)

Meals:  B,L

What's Included

  • Travel with a member of Team Hamlin from Australia's HQ
  • Entry fee for International Women’s Day 5K
  • All meals
  • Centrally located hotel in Addis Ababa
  • Coach transport in Addis Ababa
  • Private transport in southern Ethiopia
  • Visit the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital and meet key personnel
  • Experienced English speaking local Ethiopian guide
  • All activities, adventures and sightseeing as per itinerary
  • Domestic flight from Awassa to Addis Ababa
  • Arrival and departure transfers
  • Celebration dinner

What's Not Included

  • International airfare to Addis Ababa
  • Visa
  • Soft drinks, alcohol and bottled water
  • Items of a personal services, such as phone calls and laundry
  • Travel insurance
  • Tips

What You Carry

  • In your daypack you will need to carry warm clothing, water, camera and personal items such as sunscreen.

Case Study

Your fundraising of $4,000 or more will go a long way in Ethiopia. It can fund life-changing surgery for more than 10 patients, ending their misery, restoring their dignity and giving them a second chance to live to their full potential. It can fund 8 life saving caesarean operations for past fistula patients so that they might have a live baby at last. It can fund the training costs for a local Ethiopian midwifery student who will go back to her village and help the women and girls in her area to give birth safely. Your fundraising will change the lives of many in Ethiopia - it will restore dignity to woman and girls, return mothers to their families and prevent the horror of obstetric fistula in the near future.This life-changing work will have a profoundly positive impact that will be felt deeply in the community and will improve the lives of many more, beyond the patients at the hospital.

Ethiopia Challenge Reviews

Fast Facts

Trip Dates: DepartReturn
Duration:8 Days
Activities:International Women’s Day 5K
Insider's tour of Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia
Grade:Adventure touring  Click for more information
Trip Code:SOG6410
Registration Fee:USD$160
Travel Cost:USD$2450

In Ethiopia, obstetric fistula is the common outcome of prolonged, obstructed labour that causes permanent internal damage and incontinence. Many patients become social outcasts and their suffering is life-long if untreated. Patients at the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital or one of its regional hospitals are treated free of charge.