Reports - India- Ethiopia- Liberia

In early 1961, the Lions Club, of which my husband and I were members, received an invitation from the Israeli Government to send delegates to a six-week training program to be held in Haifa: the first ever International Seminar on the Role of Women in Developing Society. The seminar was planned for women whose work in their own countries was connected with education, health or social welfare programs, or women who were active in womens organizations or in public life.

I was very keen on going - it seemed like a great opportunity, but I had two sons, ages 3 and 4, and I did not know how I could leave them. My husband and I discussed the situation, and one by one, we found the solution to each problem that made it possible for me to accept the invitation.

I was to leave with two delegates from Bombay, but suddenly I came down with a bad attack of flu. It was very very difficult in those days to find a safe route into Israel. Finally a week later, recovered, but still feeling a bit wobbly, I flew to New Delhi and took Air France directly to Lod.

We had sent a cable of my new travel arrangements, but this went to Jerusalem, and since it was over the Sabbath, this was lying in the Jerusalem office, when I landed at Lod Airport at 2 o'clock in the morning. As soon as I had completed the formalities, I went to the Tourist Desk to find out if anyone had come to fetch me. No one knew anything. They asked me to wait, and after about half an hour, they said that a family had also just arrived from Japan, and was driving back to Haifa, and would I object to going with them?

I said it was very kind of them, and that is how I came to meet Zfira and Ephraim Ilin and their daughter-in-law Noya. They were kind and caring and helpful to a stranger, which I will always remember. The Ilins left me at 4 a.m. at Beit Ruthenberg, the youth training center of the Ministry of Education in Haifa where the seminar was held, but this was totally empty and shut. I sat on the steps with my luggage, til 6.30 a.m. when the staff arrived to start cooking breakfast. With a lot of gesturing and sign language, I made them understand. They were all so concerned, gave me coffee and breakfast, and then escorted me the living quarters. Some of them spoke English, but one does not need a language for kindness. This episode created a special bond between them and me.

There were 66 delegates from countries like Ceylon, Thailand, Singapore, Ethiopia, Gabon, Senegal, Nigeria, Congo Brazzaville, Kenya, Uganda, and other countries. The group was divided into the French- and English-speaking. Our guide and leader was Mrs. Sarah Erman, a wonderful, kind and understanding lady, along with another young lady - Aya. The French speakers were looked after by Mrs. Rita Ross.

The director and the force behind the entire program, the lady who worked out the schedules, the logistics, and took responsibility for catering, not merely to dietary dos and taboos, but also to the varying personalities of each lady, was left in the capable hands of Mrs. Mina Ben-Zvi, the Founding Director of the Golda Meir Mount Carmel International Training Center (MCTC). A formidable personality, friendly, welcoming and yet circumspect, we all had the greatest respect for her. Her method was the only way to control this cross-section of women, whose ages ranged from 18 and 19 to 60 and 65. She did not drop in on us unnecessarily, she was not always with us, but she had her finger on the pulse, and knew exactly what was happening, and the results to be achieved. We all knew she was there with her support and advice. In a way this first seminar was an experiment, as new for the Israeli organizers as it was for us. Mrs. Mina Ben-Zvi was collecting data, reactions, so that future courses would run smoothly.

The two delegates from Bombay were Mrs. Parvathi Kailasapathy, a social worker, and Miss Sarah Paul, who worked as Inspector of Schools. (Both are now sadly deceased.)

We were housed near Beit Ruthenberg. At first all the three Indians were put into one room, but later they realized this would not necessarily work out, so they put the "young crowd" into a flat next door. We were four of us in the flat - Vinitha Fernando from Ceylon, Sergut from Ethiopia, Bamphot from Thailand, and Mary from Singapore. We got along so well, talking, laughing, sharing experiences, exchanging descriptions of our homes, families, countries.

The program had no rules, except to use our common sense. There were meetings, lectures, questions, discussions, relayed simultaneously in French and English. These were interspersed with visits to the handicraft industry, a printing company, poultry and dairy farms (on kibbutzim), a tour of the Shemen Oil Works, a home for the blind, and sightseeing on the way.

The seminar building was surrounded by large grounds, quiet and serene. After breakfast in the large dining hall, with much laughing and camaraderie, we started work at 9a.m. At 11 a.m. we had a short break, and went out onto a large balcony that overlooked Mt. Carmel right down to the shining blue waters of Haifa Bay. A breathtaking sight with the sun striking the gold dome of the nearby Bahai Temple.

We were served fruit and orange juice, which were delicious. It must have been very difficult to make out menus and cater to the tastes of people from faraway strange lands, but I heard no criticism - everyone was more than satisfied.

In the evenings, after an early supper, we were on our own. Our "young crowd" soon found how to find our way on the local train. On one of these exploratory trips, we discovered felafel (fried sesame seed balls served in pita bread with salad) which was very familiar to all of us, and so cheap. We became regulars at the felafel stand, oblivious to the curiosity and confusion we were causing with our chatter and our clothes.

Every evening, Jewish families in Haifa opened their homes to us delegates, so we could interact and find out first hand the conditions in our countries.

The year 1961 was the epoch year when Adolph Eichmann (the notorious Nazi criminal) was arrested and brought to Jerusalem for trial. It was the chief topic of discussion, and many were the evenings when I sat in the home of Judge Rabinowitz, who used to travel to and from Jerusalem each day to watch the proceedings. I was a rapt listener, eager for knowledge.

We had been asked to bring arts and crafts from our countries, as at the end of the seminar an exhibition was to be held. We three Indians displayed our crafts as well as we could and wore our best saris. All our hosts had been asked, the friends and families of our guides were there too. The exhibition was a great success. The guest of honor was Mr. Abba Khoushy, Mayor of Haifa, and a young, shy, unknown Israeli actor Chaim Topol. When, years later, he became world renowned for his great performances in Fiddler on the Roof and Winds of War, I never missed my cue to say, "I knew him when..."

When we visited Kibbutz Degania, we had the great good luck of meeting Mrs. Golda Meir, then Foreign Minister. She was a tall, large woman, her graying hair defying all her attempts to stay neat. Then I looked into her eyes and saw the sorrow, the agony, the torment of all the worst in Man that she had witnessed. I saw the compassion and understanding, and I saw way beyond her looks, to her indomitable spirit, the courage to keep fighting, to take deadly risks, to travel, to speak to people and in the end to convince them of her cause - human and international development. Mrs. Meir was the greatest woman I have ever met, and I am sure if I were to say that to her, she would have looked over her shoulder to see who it was I was talking about.

Sarah Erman especially introduced me to her, and when she heard I was from Madras, she immediately said she had two very good friends there - Mrs. Ammu Swaminathan and Mrs. Mary Clubwala - two very prominent ladies in the field of social work and womens rights. Mrs. Meir wrote two notes for them, which I delivered on my r. Both ladies invited me to tell them about their dear friend and about Israel.

With our six weeks over, we got busy exchanging addresses, saying our "thank yous" and "good-byes." I kept in touch with the many many friends I made in Israel.

What did I learn and how did I benefit from this seminar? I learned about cooperation, struggling for achievement, the rights of women. I took copious notes and paid keen attention to all the lectures, but what I brought back in my heart was of a nation, hungering for peace and friendship. I learned, yet again, the most important lesson which I hope has made me a better human being - that no matter what the color of our skins, no matter what religion we practice or culture we come from, our hopes, dreams, aspirations for our children, for our countries are all universal. The color of our tears and the sound of our laughter are the same.

Thank you Israel and thank you Mrs. Mina Ben-Zvi for your pioneering efforts in planning and carrying out these program so successfully. My prayer is that they continue, and bring people together, to live together in peace and understanding.

I had an opportunity to participate in the international course on Local Economic Development which took place in Israel, June 22 - August 9, 1996, at the Development Study Center, Rehovot. Indeed, I will never forget the experience I gained from this course. It is a great asset to my career. I acquired a lot of knowledge about your beautiful country's people.

I am now working as a team leader for project appraisal and follow up for private investment projects and department representative of the Department of Investment Promotion and Study in the Amhara National Regional State Investment Office, which is one of the regional government organs. This office carries out the objectives of the economic policy by promoting, coordinating and facilitating private investment programs in the region.

The Amhara National Regional State is one of nine constituent regions of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. The Regional State, with an estimated population of 14.4 million, covers an area of 170,000 sq.km. which is 11% of the total area of Ethiopia. The region is divided into 11 administration zones and 105 wards (districts). Our region, encompassing plains, gorges, plateaus and mountain landscapes with an altitude ranging from 500 to 4620 meters above sea level, has natural geographical features conducive to investment in diversified agriculture.

Many rivers in the region also have high potential for irrigation development and hydro-electric power generation. Tana, the largest lake in Ethiopia, is located almost at the heart of the region, with great potential for fisheries and tourism. Bahir Dar, where I live, lying almost at the center of the region, is the capital and seat of the regional government. It is situated at the edge of the outlet of the Abbay (Blue Nile) River from Lake Tana.

The economy of the region, like that of the economy of the whole of Ethiopia, is based on traditional agriculture. About 90% of the people are engaged in this economic sector. A very vast and virgin tract of land conducive to cultivating a variety of food crops and other cash crops is available, particularly in the western part of the region.

Thus, with effective utilization of modern technology, investors will have wide opportunities for producing a variety of crops and agro-processing products for domestic and export markets. Other potential areas of interest to investors are the livestock and fishery resources of the region.

In addition to direct agricultural goods producing and processing activities, one can get lucrative benefit from establishing agricultural service-giving firms.

The present status of industrial development in the regions is at a very low level. There are only 4,267 small and medium scale private industries enterprises whose output is not in compliance with the needs of the people and the development of the region. Given the availability of adequate raw materials and the market for industrial products in the region there are ample opportunities for investors in the manufacturing sector. The Amhara National Regional State is very rich in mineral resources such as coal, shell, limestone, lignite, gypsum, gemstone, silica, sulfur and bentonite, which can be used for construction activities.

Given its unique heritage, magnificent scenery, pleasant climate, rich flora and fauna, and friendly and hospitable people, the Amhara National State has the potential to be one of the leading tourist destinations in Ethiopia as well as Africa.

The highlands of the region have an attractive landscape, scenery and wildlife. The magnificent Tis-Isat Falls on the Abbay River nearby the capital of the region - Bahir Dar, and the endemic wildlife in the Semien Mountains are some of the interesting sites. The rock hewn churches at Lallivela, the medieval palaces at Gondar and the monasteries of Lake Tana are important tourists attractions.

Despite the enormous potential, the tourism industry has not developed sufficiently to make significant contribution to the economy. Hence, great opportunities exist for private investments in hotels, lodges and international restaurants. The investment incentives given through our office are categorized into two: those permitted at the federal level and those permitted locally.

At the Federal level the following incentives have been given:

1. One hundred percent exemption from payment of import custom duties and other taxes levied on imports is granted to all investment capital goods, such as plants, machinery, equipment, etc., as well as spare parts worth up to 15% of the imported investment capital goods.
2. Exemption from customs duties or other taxes levied on imports shall be granted for raw materials necessary for production of goods for the export market.
3. Any income derived from an approved new investment made pursuant to proclamation No. 37/1996 shall be exempted from the payment of income tax for periods ranging from 1 to 5 years depending upon the priority area of investment activity and the location in which the investment is undertaken.
4. An investor is entitled to deduct his expenses incurred for research, improvement studies or training from his taxable income.
5. Any remittance made by a foreign investor from the proceeds of the sale or transfer of shares of asset upon liquidation or winding up of an enterprise is exempt from the payment of any tax.
6. Business enterprises that suffer losses during the tax holiday period can carry forward such losses for 5 years.

In addition to the above, attractive local incentives are in place in our region:

1. Provision of urban land free of charge for projects on selected manufacturing branches and for establishing health and educational institutes.
2. Provision of rural land free of charge for investment on forest development.
3. Very small land rent (less that US$10 per hectare per annum) for rural land for agricultural investment.
4. Very small royalty fee for fish farming in natural lakes and rivers.
5. Priority providing services like electricity, telecommunication, water, roads, etc.

The number of private investment projects licensed by our office from February 1992-June30/1998, has reached 364. These projects have an estimated initial investment capital of birr 2,83 billion. Upon completion, the projects are expected to generate new employment opportunities to about 9,286 people on a permanent basis, about 2,980 people on contract basis and about 77,121 seasonal jobs. Out of the total licensed projects 5 are foreign investments with a total capital of 1.55 billion birr. Out of the licensed projects 30% are in an operational phase and 28% are being implemented.

Assefa Workie
Amhara National Regional State Investment Office
P.O.Box 439
Bahir Dar
ETHIOPIA

The writer, who was a self-employed farmer when he participated in the 1st International Course on Innovative Integrated Pest Management with Extension given by CINADCO in 1988 in Netanya, Israel, is serving as a chief executive officer for the newly-organized NGO, LIFE 2000. He strives to actualize improved agricultural practices, adding new impetus to Liberian farming.

All over Israel, many community programs are centered around an integrated approach. Whether rural development, environmental management or pest control in agriculture, the concept of integration is a success story in the nation's rapid advances despite its tiny size, and facing serious problems of scarce land and water and an inhospitable climate.

Israel is overcoming the spreading desert, trapping the sun rays for energy and generating fuel from animal waste. Using water sensibly and getting maximum return from farm labor with other integrated innovations has made the country almost self-reliant in agriculture and other fields. Today, the swamp areas converted during early statehood and reclaimed semi-desert land are blooming.

These achievements are no secret. At the celebration marking MASHAV's 50,000th trainee at Kibbutz Shefayim in late 1994, then Foreign Minister Shimon Peres voiced Israel's willingness to share with other nations more than ever before, and Liberia is among the beneficiaries of this willingness.

The voluntary organization Liberian-Israeli Friendship Exchange, which offers skilled and qualified staff to perform special services in a wide range of social and development activities with Israeli-styled methodology, took charge of designing an agriculture project as a component of the Rev. Lee Oliver Dia Mitchell multi-faceted initiatives, including education and health, in Johnsonville.

As a young organization emerging with a new vision toward the coming century, its self-explanatory acronym, LIFE 2000, points to the deep concern for increase productivity not only in Liberia, but also in the sub-Sahara region, and all Africa in the not-too-distant future.

In February 1997 when the initial 4 acres of lowland were made available, LIFE 2000 introduced the Mitchell Farm Project, adopting integrated sustainable agriculture practices aimed at self-sufficiency. The Project is situated on the road that leads off the Redlight-Freeport highway, named Somalia Drive at Barnersville junction, about 14 miles outside the capital city, Monrovia.

The short time before the rainy season in June put the project on course with the construction of fish ponds and paddy fields, multiplication plots for root and tuber crops and a few vegetable cultivations on the adjacent upland. Local chickens were brought in and piglets from European and African stocks add diversification and make integration more pronounced.

"Hopefully, this coming cropping season," which starts shortly before the rain is over in November, says Mr. Zaza F. Moiwen, Field Aide of LIFE 2000, "will meet us well on schedule to cover up for the past setbacks." Great effort is underway toward using agricultural by-products for energy, feed and soil enrichment in conjunction with

sound environmental practices.

"Thanks to our able staff, we are committed to establishing a production system that integrates crop, livestock and fish farming," adds Mr. Jonathan Enders. Mr. Enders was speaking at the formal presentation of recent progress reports of LIFE 2000, of which he is Board Chairman.

Under the technical expertise services from LIFE 2000 "...using wastewater from the pig house and fish ponds for irrigation, and animal manure with crop residues as organic matter for growing vegetables and other crops will stimulate self-reliance by the time our services are over," says Chairman Enders. The concept of an integrated approach is gradually taking shape as an essential feature to harness the potential for developing post-civil war Liberia.

LIFE 2000 is looking forward to its added role: "Mobilizing MASHAV's alumni to practice their training and give a new outlook to the national Shalom Club through collaboration of hands-on activities," explains LIFE 200 agronomic consultant, Mr. David K. Yennego (Ruppin Institute, 1987) during the regular consultative meeting. "And we invite our colleagues from Israel, from where the inspiration for integrated development comes, to visit and see what we are accomplishing."