This town is the gateway to the Simien Mountain range and as such has tourism potential, however its inhabitants are disadvantaged by the lack of a communication infrastructure. To use the Internet or a telephone, they had to travel all the way to Gondar, the provincial capital, nearly one day's journey by bus or two days by mule away. People from Debark do use the Internet to communicate with relatives in other parts of the country or for business interactions with tourists and tour operators.

 

Shiferaw Aserate (Shif) is a mountain guide and has become a young entrepreneur that joined Alchemy World as a beneficiary of its programme. In 2006 and with the financial help of Alchemy World he opened "Approach Internet Café" and provided Debark with a window to the world.

 

As a result of the great success of his new business, he was not only able to build himself a small house but is also helping his whole family as well as several poor children from the area. Furthermore, Shif established an Internet training course for people who want to learn more about computer usage.