Sebkana Farm
The farm covers five hectares and has a warm-to-hot temperate climate at the foot of the northern escarpment (a major geological fault) of the Simien Mountains.
Ten years ago Kate walked over 500 miles from Addis Ababa via Lalibela and Debark to Gondar. Whilst crossing the hot, arid Tekeze area, she saw many sebkana trees surviving despite the difficult conditions. The farm is named after them.
Sebkana Farm's market gardening and tourism enterprises will create eight full-time jobs by the end of 2010 (with expanding employment potential in future), degraded pasture will be transformed into productive farmland, biodiversity will be restored as indigenous woodlands are regenerated, and an income-generating visitor centre will be established, incorporating a woodland trail with spectacular viewpoints not currently exploited for tourism.
"The development of the farm according to the business plan is heavily dependent on our receiving funds by way of donations or investments," explains Kate. "We used up all our savings to get the farm started last year - there are three full-time members of staff at present."
The best way to support Sebkana Farm is to make a donation to or investment in it. For instructions, see the GIVE section.