The courage to overcome challenges
W/ro Alemsira Habtamu, a 24-year-old married woman from Sankit Kebele in the Banja district of the Awi Zone, Amhara Region, faced significant challenges after graduating with a diploma in accounting. Living with her husband, a school teacher, and their child, she struggled with the lack of employment opportunities in her field. The rising costs of living put pressure on their family finances. Despite her attempt to start a micro tea and coffee business, it didn’t yield the expected results.
Feeling desperate to provide for her family, Alemsira ventured into sheep fattening. However, her initial expedition was troubled with challenges; she lacked the necessary knowledge in areas such as animal selection and health management. “I viewed animal fattening as a difficult and unrewarding business due to the delay of maturity for sale,” she says.
In 2024, a crucial moment in her life arrived when she was selected by the targeting committee and subsequently joined the Mass Youth Employment in Apiculture (MaYEA) program of North and Northwest Hub. “Core skills training fueled me to engage in fattening business,” she explained, highlighting the importance of the program. She learned vital personal attributes, including goal setting and problem-solving skills that transformed her perspective.
When Alemsira discovered digital financing through the program, she acted swiftly. “I met the requirements; TIN and business license immediately,” she said. With a loan of 87,770 ETB at 10% interest through Kifiya digital financing technologies, her business began to flourish. She started purchasing mature sheep, built improved shelter for the flock, and adopted better feeding practices and health management for her flock.
Today, Alemsira runs a thriving sheep fattening business with 20 sheep. “I treat my sheep like my child. I enjoy taking care of them every day,” she shared with pride. Recently, she tested the market by selling one sheep for 13,000 ETB, a significant profit since she had originally purchased it for 8,000 ETB. “I am proud of securing viable business,” she stated, expressing her ambition to reinvest profits into buying more sheep and expanding her business further.
Alemsira’s success story serves as an inspiration to young women in rural Ethiopia. With skills development, access to finance, and unwavering support from stakeholders, she has carved out a path for her family’s livelihood. “This program support was crucial for my success,” she affirmed.
In the 2nd quarter of the 2025 reporting period, the impact of the North and Northwest Subnational MaYEA program implemented in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation was notable, reaching 59,629 young people, including 47,839 females and 4,479 disadvantaged youths. Alemsira’s journey embodies the potential for change and empowerment through strategic support and dedication.
The MaYEA program is being implemented by ORDA Ethiopia, icipe, and IIRR in partnership with Mastercard Foundation.