The Timothy Project/Ethiopia held its 3rd Blue Nile Banquet on April 28, 2007, hosted by Cornerstone Christian Church. With musical selections provided by the Light Singers of the Filipino Church, the banquet was attended by more than 150 people comprising leaders from the educational, technological, medical, ecclesiastical, government, business, American-friends of Ethiopia and members of the Ethiopian-Diaspora
ATO ARAYA ZERIHUN IS DEADADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA - On October 20, 2006, Ato Araya Zerihun, former chairperson and co-founder of the Tigray Development Association (TDA) passed away in his hospital bed. According to sources, Araya Zerihun died from an unexpected heart attack.
Araya is a great man amongst the poorest of the poor of the Tigray State, Ethiopia. Araya had left the United States many years ago back to Ethiopia to serve as the chairperson of the TDA. Since then, Araya has served in many other official capacities within the TDA International Board.
Under his leadership, the people of Tigray have witnessed tangible progress; schools such as Kalamino (a school for extremely bright and talented students of Tigray) and MIT (Mekelle Institute of Technology) were built under his reign. TDA had also built clinics, hospitals and health posts in many rural areas throughout the Tigray state. He supervised the funding of many state-level projects in the construction, transportation and education sectors as well as the establishment of the "Selam Bus Service" which gave people a direct bus service from Mekelle to Addis Ababa as well as Mekelle to Bahar Dar.
Currently, Araya was the head manager of the MAA Garment Company which was build by Ethiopian/Saudi businessman tycoon Sheikh Mohammed H. Al-Amoudi.
Araya Zerihun was a symbol of hope and love as well as a brighter future for the people of Tigray. He has done much in his life and for that, he is commended. He will be remembered for his benevolent actions and his humility. The funeral of Araya Zerihun will be conducted at Addis Ababa's renowned Holy Trinity Cathedral on Monday, October 23, 2006. He died at the age of 53 and is survived by his wife and seven children.
