ሁሉም ህትመቶች እ.ኤ.አ. Muluneh, D. . Awasa , Ethiopia

The near distant GEFITIE/Amharic: ገፍቴ/ Afan Oromo: Gaffite/

Location

Gefitie is located in Arsi Zone of Oromia regional state in Aseko Woreda. This small village, just part of Kebele, is actually very near to the capital city of the country. Chefa Ifa, where Gefitie is part, is the Oromia Europe characterized by cold climate almost year round. Located approximately 230km from Finfinne, the capital city of Oromia Regional state (of course the nations capital city), anyone can assume the area contains at least basic infrastructure like road, power and communication. However, the distant far Gefitie is without even basic health care center except private clinics who operate at their residence without proper care for the very sensitive health related equipment, injections and tablets. Mothers giving life are dying off during delivery due to absence of basic health center. Complications and difficulties during delivery requires mothers to travel for about 25 to 30km by human power, where in some cases mothers passed away on the way. The location has challenged the minimal efforts to construct road to the area. To date the area lacks the basic infrastructure considered as a right for human being.

Population

There are an estimated 100 households in Gefitie, which can make the population not greater 1000. Muslim and Orthodox christian are the two main religions practiced in the area, the former constitutes larger number. There is strong social fabrics in the area, religion make blurred distinction for social affairs including marriage and mourning. Ethiopia has something to share from as far as mutual coexistance of the community is concerned. We celebrate together, Gefitie might be one of the most diversity tolerating area, where there are two slaughters in same events like marriages and funerals. Where Muslim hosts the event Christian is given separate cattle/goats/sheep to enjoy among the followers. Imagine how weird this might be among conservatives, who consider there is only one way to heaven. This culture has being practice since time immemorable. For mothers heading to market once in a week neighbors breast is there to feed and religion has lost place here. I am one living witness to get the service from my best friend's mom who is actually a Muslim.

Hawassa; a destination with immense potential for tourism development

Hawassa, the capital city of the newly established Sidama National Regional State, is located south of Addis Ababa on estimated 260km distance. The city is a home for immense tourism resources that can attract tourists. Lake Hawassa, one of the most studied rift valley lake, Fiche Chambalalla (the Sidama People new year), Tabor Mountain are just few to mention. Hawassa is a city contains large number of star rated hotels which can accommodate large number of customers. These establishments have hosted some of mega events which shows the capacity the city owns in the area of hospitality. Some of the finest name in the area of hospitality can be mentioned including, Haile Resort, Rori Hotel, Lewi Resort, South Star international Hotel, Central Hawassa Hotel, Kerawi International Hotel, Ker-Awud Hotel and many more. These service providing institution is one of the plus factor for tourism development in the city.

The city's tourism development can be rated one of the lowest compared with the immense potentials it contains. One reason can be security condition related to the quest for statehood of the Sidama people. The other reason is failure to promote the resource for domestic and international market. Observing the tourist flow, the city is popular for domestic tourism. Though this is something to not underestimate, the city need to be promoted for international market so that the sector better contributes for job creation and economic development. Structured at regional level, Sidama is in a position to design its own marketing strategy to better market the tourism potential of the city in particular and the region at large.