The last time my partner Serdar and I visited Awra Amba in Ethiopia was exactly 10 years ago. We were invited to their 40th anniversary celebration and the inauguration of their high school. At that time, we were in the middle of producing the Awra Amba documentary together with some of the community members. By 2012 the village had already gained a solid reputation all over Ethiopia. Many tourists, journalists, researchers and filmmakers had also started taking note and writing about the community in international media.
Awra Amba turning 50 marks a new era for the community which in the last 10 years has made leaps and bounds developing economically, while keeping sustainability and environmental protection at the core. The community has always been concerned with the environment, protecting their rivers, trees and lands but also of the wellbeing of people, not only those living there but also in neighbouring communities. I spoke with Zumra's son, Awoke, who is 24 years old and is studying Civil Engineering in Gujarat, India. I've know Awoke since he was a young boy when I first went to Awra Amba in 2008. Over the years, we have kept in touch and I have followed his journey and been able to keep up to date with news from the Awra Amba community.
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