On our previous trip to Ethiopia, we invited the owners of Ariti – a long-running herbal production company in Addis Ababa – to visit the Fiche medicinal garden. Chemists Ermias Dagne and Tadelech Tadesse established Ariti almost 20… Read More
Our very own Lizzie d’Avigdor spoke on Ethiopian radio recently about her research, biodiversity and the development of the Botanica Ethiopia project in Fiche. From household gardens to a flourishing community ‘pharmacy’ of medicinal herbs, hear how a… Read More
Seated against the rammed-earth walls of Werkalemahu and Banchi’s home, we’re handed a plate of thick yellow honey with chunks of dabo bread straight from the fire. “Enebela (Let’s eat)!” says Werkalemahu. “This is the purest, from the… Read More
In Fiche, many women make tella beer or areke, a spirit similar to Italian grappa, to supplement the family income. While caring for young children, tending the home and family land, they will boil and ferment barley and… Read More
Some time ago, the Etse Fewus cooperative put to us the idea of bringing bees to their medicinal herb garden in Fiche. A healthy swarm could help pollinate the herbs, they said, and provide an important extra source… Read More
A snapshot of our visit to the beautiful Etse Fewus (healing herbs) garden earlier this year … A living pharmacy in Fiche — Botanica Ethiopia, 2015 from May Slater on Vimeo.
High above the Jemma River, three hours from Addis Ababa, we walk a rocky path between houses made of mud and young eucalypts. Gule, one of the founding members of the Etse Fewus ‘Healing Plants’ association is leading… Read More
Thanks to all who supported the Botanica Ethiopia team at the Blackmores Sydney Running Festival recently. This time we joined 34,000 runners across beautiful Sydney Harbour Bridge to raise money for the Living Pharmacy project in Fiche. And… Read More
In February, the Rift plateau country around Fiche town is coloured with red aloe flowers and eucalypts. It was market Sunday, and after meeting Gule and Emayu for a raw meat lunch, we left the spices, tuktuks and… Read More
She did it! With a little help from her friends, Granny Emmie made it across the finish line and came THIRD in her age group. Being 89 was no deterrent to her determination or stamina. A little credit… Read More
Etse-Fewus (Healing Herbs) Association members are combining their resources to get the most out of land they were given by the Fiche local government last year. During a recent visit, committee members told Botanica Ethiopia they plan to… Read More
We’re very happy to announce that Lizzie was presented with a Rotary International award for her work in Ethiopia at the Foundation’s annual dinner in Sydney recently. Lizzie spoke on the night about Botanica Ethiopia, her research and involvement with the… Read More
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