Southern Ethiopia - Gwent Health Link

The Southern Ethiopia Gwent Health Link and the new Bryn-Y-Cwm - Yirgacheffe link received a commendation award from the Welsh assembly at the Cardiff Eisteddfod on the 4th of August 2008 for their excellent work and inspired contribution toward community partnerships between Wales and Ethiopia. The award was presented by First Minister Rhodri Morgan and United Nations Antipoverty Champion Edith Wakumire.

This United Nations Gold Star community project supported, by the Welsh Assembly and the Wales Council for Voluntary Action, recognizes excellence in cross-community linking and the mutually beneficial contribution made by links towards improving health, livelihoods, life for children, the environment and social harmonies in the communities both in Wales and Africa.

During their recent visit to Ethiopia, the Southern Ethiopia Gwent Health link also received a trophy and certificate from the Hawassa College of Health Sciences in recognition of the link's contribution to the development of training programmes in the college for the non doctor front-line health workers in southern Ethiopia.

The Bryn-Y-Cwm – Yirgacheffe, Ethiopia community link started in 2007 with a view to complement partnership in areas beyond health between the two communities.