Wales helps Ethiopia
fight climate change
Two Pontypridd and Bridgend based organisations, linked with
Africa, have been praised by the First Minister for their work to support and
promote better understanding of the issues faced by rural Ethiopia as a result
of climate change.
Pontypridd-based charity Labata Fantalle has been working near Ethiopia’s Awash National Park with livestock owners who have to continually move their herds in search of fresh pasture and water. Their traditional way of life is under-threat due to changing weather patterns and the loss of traditional lands.
With the backing of Welsh Government funding through the Wales Africa Community Links programme, Labata Fantalle have set up solar powered irrigation and a seedling nursery, which will not only provide agricultural training to those based in the area but will also supply villages with trees which can be used to provide shelter and grow food crops.
Bridgend’s Valley and Vale Community Arts has been working with Gemini Trust, based in Africa, to train former street children in arts and photography skills. With the backing of Welsh Government funding through the Wales Africa Community Links programme, they have been using these skills to create films documenting life in the region.
Pontypridd-based charity Labata Fantalle has been working near Ethiopia’s Awash National Park with livestock owners who have to continually move their herds in search of fresh pasture and water. Their traditional way of life is under-threat due to changing weather patterns and the loss of traditional lands.
With the backing of Welsh Government funding through the Wales Africa Community Links programme, Labata Fantalle have set up solar powered irrigation and a seedling nursery, which will not only provide agricultural training to those based in the area but will also supply villages with trees which can be used to provide shelter and grow food crops.
Bridgend’s Valley and Vale Community Arts has been working with Gemini Trust, based in Africa, to train former street children in arts and photography skills. With the backing of Welsh Government funding through the Wales Africa Community Links programme, they have been using these skills to create films documenting life in the region.
The two organisations recently joined forces to make a documentary on how the way of life for pastoralists in Ethiopia is being affected by climate change. Gaalli Haadha (“a camel is like a mother”) follows young Karraayu herders as they leave their homes and families to embark on a 200 mile journey through Ethiopia to search for food for their camels.
The First Minister Carwyn Jones said :"This is an excellent example of what we want to achieve through Wales for Africa. This is about more than traditional charity – it’s about sharing information and learning from each other to better our communities.
"That small programmes based in Bridgend and Pontypridd can make such a difference in a community across the world is inspiring, but we can also learn from Ethiopia. Through this partnership people are gaining skills and a better understanding of how seemingly distant issues like climate change are affecting real people."
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