Page 38 - Abyssinia Business Network ABN August 2019

a room there. So we met there and where Abiy was born. We have
started talking and strengthening travelled several times to Ta’eme
our relations; we’ve understood that to undertake research in the area,’’
we had a common dream of engaging Valerie recalled.
in eco-tourism to support rural
communities. So we’ve decided to Now the remaining task was to go
establish an eco-lodge and -village.” through the monotonous, intolerable
says Valerie. bureaucratic process of getting
business license from regional and
Abiy who earned his first degree from local authorities; this may be the last
Mekelle University was not happy in chapter to make a dream come true.
his life though he tried to do various
businesses with his friends. He simply “For me it was
kept on chasing his childhood dream.
He then joined a hotel and tourism really amazing
school where he has got his diploma
in tour and travel; he has also received because farmers in
the ´Foundation in Travel and Tourism Germany are often
from IATA correspondence diploma`
from Canada so that he could gain conservative, not
more insight into eco lodges and
ecotourism. open for new things;
it was completely
Equipped with relevant knowledge
and skills, Abiy realized the fact opposite here.”
that he was only on the threshold
of the intended business. There
had to be feasibility studies and “Before contacting both regional
community conversations for reliable and local authorities, I had to
implementation of the long-awaiting talk to my family about our plan; Sol Image
project. we were also in the community Interestingly enough, the local
discussing the issue, gathering farmers played a pivotal role
Abiy explained, “I did more research different information on support in the project implementation,
on ecotourism which helped me and cooperation we might get.” working closely with Abiy and
develop a better understanding of the said Abiy, adding, “I went to Bahir Valerie. They were pushing them
concept. So I had to do something, Dar where the regional Culture to start the project as quickly as
to start a project as I believe eco- and Tourism Bureau is situated, possible. This, in deed, attributes
tourism has a good potential. Finally then to the Zone, West Gojam zone. to the unforgettable and good
I have designed a small proposal.’’ Fortunately, I’ve got the investment deeds of Abiy’s father who
license very quickly within three has undertaken various socio-

Abiy was not doing things alone, his hours.” economic development activities
soul mate, Valerie was working with in the locality.
him tirelessly and energetically to
achieve their common dream from the Nevertheless, the going got tough as Apart from his father’s social
onset. moving to the lowest administration contribution to the local
level. Here at the Woreda (local community, Abiy was also doing
“We’ve spent nearly three years administration level) the dream team some kind of social responsiveness.
to get into the project, discussing, had encountered rigorous hurdles “Whenever I went to the village
thinking and exchanging ideas. So which took them nearly a year to with my clients or visitors, I used
we decided to go to the countryside leap over the bureaucracy. to take books to the local school
36 Abyssinia Business Nework ነሃሴ 2011 / August 2019