Raising Chickens, Raising Hope: How One Young Farmer Rebuilt His Life Through MaYEA
Abiyout Shumeye, a 30-year-old young man from G/Mariyam Kebele in Mandura Woreda, is one of the MaYEA Program participants, implemented by Bees for Development Ethiopia in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation and led by ORDA Ethiopia.
"MaYEA helped me see the opportunities around me. Today, I don't just raise chickens; I raise hopes for my family and my community," says Abyot.
Here is Abiyout Shumeye’s powerful story:
I worked in a government office for six years and hold a degree in Rural Development. My father raised me through farming. With that ambition, I entered the sesame farming sector and worked for a large sesame farm investor.
Life in the lowland sesame-producing areas could bring income, but it also posed life-threatening risks. Eventually, I returned home. With the money I had, I bought a water-pumping generator and started farming. However, in 2019, conflict forced my family to leave our area.
After several months, I returned to Mandura and started my life over. For about three years before the MaYEA project arrived, I focused on producing finger millet, teff, and maize for household consumption and the market.
When he joined the MaYEA Program in 2025, Abiyout completed a three-day training on life skills, gender and safeguarding, business development, and poultry value chain management, gaining practical knowledge and confidence to start a poultry enterprise.
To be honest, before then, I had never even raised a chicken. During the holidays, I used to buy a chicken from the market rather than raise my own.
Although the loan had not yet arrived, I took a risk and purchased 20 broiler chickens at ETB 220 each. I built a 5-by-4-meter poultry house and began raising them.
By the end of February 2026, I sold each chicken for ETB 1,000. With the income of 20,000 ETB, I bought feeding and watering equipment and 60 chicks at 40 days old for ETB 230 each.
Abiyout Shumeye supervises his growing poultry enterprise in Mandura Woreda, Benishangul-Gumuz Region, in 2026.
Read more: Raising Chickens, Raising Hope: How One Young Farmer Rebuilt His Life Through MaYEA
“Light after Darkness” – Emahoy Tigete Getu
For years, Emahoy lived in pain and isolation due to trachoma and cataracts. Unable to work or care for her children, life felt like darkness. With support from ORDA Ethiopia and CBM International, she received free eye surgery. Today, she sees clearly again, has returned to her family and work, and embraces life with renewed hope and happiness.#CBMInternational
Raising our voices together has made us powerful!
In Afar, persons with disabilities have long faced exclusion and barriers. With support from #CBM and ORDA Ethiopia, change has begun. In 2025, the first Organization of Persons with Disabilities (OPD) was legally registered—uniting 34 founders into a movement that has now grown to 200+ members.
Through collective savings of ETB 50,000 and the launch of a retail shop, members are building sustainable livelihoods while advocating for inclusion in local development. Their voices are now heard by government, humanitarian partners, and communities across the region.
This OPD stands as a powerful example of how unity, vision, and support can transform challenges into opportunities for equality and lasting change.
"More Than Honey: A Family's Journey to Resilience"
Medhin Tadese, a 30-year-old woman, has been married to her husband, Tekele Kiros, for 12 years. Tekele Kiros, a military veteran who lost his eyesight during service, and Medhin have been trying to support their family through irregular livelihoods. This is their testimony about what they gained after participating in the MaYEA Program, implemented by The Well in Action in the Shire Cluster, led by ORDA Ethiopia with support from the Mastercard Foundation.
Medhin Tadese smiles as she recalls the joy of earning a significant amount of income. Mai Suru Kebele, Ahferom Woreda, Tigray Region, April 30, 2026.
Read more: More Than Honey: A Family's Journey to Resilience
Disability Has Not Stopped Me
I’m Amin Aswuka, 22, from Afar. Since childhood, I’ve faced disability and poverty, crawling hours to school without support. Life changed when ORDA Ethiopia and CBM gave me a wheelchair and start‑up capital. Today, I run my own grocery shop, serve as VESA secretary, and inspire my community. My journey proves that with hope and opportunity, disability is never a barrier to success.