"Empowered by Nutrition: A Mother's Journey to Health and Prosperity"

"I’m Gebeya Ababu Desie, a 22-year-old woman from Asketema Zuria Kebele, Gazgibila Woreda, Wag Himra Zone. I live with my husband and young son. My son was diagnosed with under nutrition and frequently suffered from illnesses like diarrhea. I didn’t know how to prepare nutritious mixed flour for my child's food or how to use vegetables and dried meat in porridge. Additionally, I struggled with a low income, making it difficult to provide the necessary food items for my child's meals.

ORDA Ethiopia stepped in to help by providing training on mixed flour preparation. I attended 3-day training in Sekota town and received regular follow-up support from Health Extension Workers (HEWs) and Community Health Facilitators (CHFs). They also mobilized Neighborhood Care Group (NCG) volunteers to promote my packed mixed flour in the community.

My child participated in a 12-day Community-based Participatory Nutrition Program (CPNP) session, where I learned various skills from my neighbors. After following these new techniques and feeding my child mixed flour porridge containing leafy green vegetables, eggs, and dried meat powder, my child's health improved significantly, becoming well-nourished and healthy.

Using my newfound skills, I prepared eight kilograms of mixed flour at home with an initial investment of 1,000 birr. I sold 1 kilogram of packed mixed flour for 150 birr, making a profit of 385 birr. I actively promoted my flour to neighbors during social gatherings such as coffee ceremonies, Ekub, and Edir. Over time, I prepared 18 kilograms of mixed flour with a capital of 2,270 birr and opened a mini-shop in my yard to sell the flour in different package sizes (0.25 kg, 0.5 kg, and 1 kg). My business grew, and I moved my shop closer to the market for better accessibility, expanding my inventory to include other goods.

Today, I have no trouble providing nutritious mixed flour for my child. I easily prepare it at home and earn a profit from my sales. My child now enjoys mixed flour porridge daily and is growing up healthy and strong, making me a happy mother.

Moreover, my neighbors and customers have gained awareness on how to prepare mixed flour at home and feed their children to prevent malnutrition. I have become a role model in my community, showing others how to care for their children.

In the future, I plan to produce more mixed flour and offer larger packages to meet customer demands. I also aim to establish branches in other Kebeles within the Woreda, partnering with permanent customers and merchants in small towns."