W/ro Meseret Woday from Kokit Kebele, Meket Woreda, North Wollo Zone, faced hardship after migrating abroad and returning home with no financial gain. Following a broken marriage and the challenge of raising twins alone, her children suffered from malnutrition and were enrolled in the OTP program. Through ORDA Ethiopia and UNICEF’s Climate Smart Nutrition Project, she received three sheep—now eight—which helped her restore her children’s health and rebuild her livelihood. Meseret is now determined to expand her work, invest in cattle, and inspire others in her community.
Read more: W/ro Meseret Woday from Kokit Kebele, Meket Woreda, North Wollo Zone
Breaking Barriers in Beekeeping: Yerom and Belayneh’s Journey
In the quiet highlands of the Amhara Region, North Wollo Zone, Wadla Woreda, Delenga Kebele, lives a determined 26-year-old woman named W/ro Yerom Dagnachew. A wife, a mother of two, and a small-scale farmer, Yerom has always dreamed of giving her children a better life than her own.
For 12 years, she and her husband, Belayneh Alemu, farmed wheat and teff on their small plot of land given to them by their parents. But the land was not always kind. “Some seasons, the rain didn’t come on time, and when it did, the prices at the market were too low,” Yerom recalls. “No matter how hard we worked, we couldn’t earn enough to feed our family.”
A Modest Beginning
Seven years ago, the couple decided to try something new — beekeeping. They started with six hives, four modern and two traditional. At first, the business was entirely managed by Belayneh. Yerom’s role was limited to assisting her husband, helping to clean the hives, and tending to the bees when needed.
Read more: Breaking Barriers in Beekeeping: Yerom and Belayneh’s Journey
Empowering Women Through Beekeeping: My Journey
“Every hive I build is not just for honey—it’s a step toward independence, dignity, and hope.”
“I started beekeeping with two traditional hives given to me by my father and two modern hives. Even though my father had worked with bees for many years, I didn't know how to manage hives until the MaYEA program reached our woreda properly.” Axumawit Yohaness
Axumawit Yohaness poses at the backyard apiary site, September,19,2025, Neader Woreda, Mahibereselam kebele
Fetene Tesfaye’s Life Has Been Transformed with ORDA Ethiopia’s Support
Fetene Tesfaye, a 38-year-old farmer from Chimit village in South Gondar, has faced hunger and poverty for many years. Since joining ORDA Ethiopia’s ETH 1211 project in 2023, he has received training, improved wheat seeds, and Washera sheep. With these tools, he has increased his income, improved his family’s nutrition, and supported 24 neighboring households. He has said that ORDA Ethiopia has been like a mother—always guiding and caring for him. Thank you to #WHH and #ORDAEthiopia for making this change possible.
Read more: Fetene Tesfaye’s Life Has Been Transformed with ORDA Ethiopia’s Support
A JOURNEY TO SELF-EMPLOYMENT: LETAY WOLDU STORY
“Before the training, I thought my only choice was a government job. Afterward, I realized opportunities are all around—I just needed the courage to begin a new chapter.”
Letay Woldu lives with her family in Tahtai Maichew, Wokrow Marai Kebele 03.
She graduated in 2021 with a degree in Chemical Engineering, full of hope and ambition. However, the northern region was unstable, and finding a job was very difficult.