Corvallis group headed to Ethiopia on sister city visit

A group of eight Corvallis residents is leaving Monday for a visit to Gondar, Ethiopia, one of Corvallis’ two sister cities. (The other is Uzhhorod, Ukraine.)

Corvallis has been assisting Gondar since 2005, with the main focus being projects that increase access to clean water and improve education.

“This year, our trip is rather unique in that we are bringing so many volunteers deeply skilled and talented in the projects to which they are directing, from nursing to teaching to water engineering,” said Maxine Prickel, who heads the project’s education work group.

Corvallis volunteers will be shepherding projects on well drilling and tree planting, personal hygiene, water sanitation and carpentry training.

In addition, Don Prickel, a board member of the sister city group, will be assessing needs for books, educational materials and other learning supplies.

A group of volunteers got together Oct. 25 and began boxing books in preparation for a planned shipment to Gondar in February.

Source: gazettetimes.com/news