“From Struggle to Stability: Sahile’s Journey to Success”
At just 29 years old, Ato Sahile Shifera was struggling. Without land of his own, he had no access to loans from formal institutions, and could not provide for his family. In search of work, he migrated to Dukem and joined the cobblestone chipping trade. But the job brought him no fulfillment, and he returned home with a heavy heart, still searching for a better path forward.
That’s when ORDA Ethiopia’s CARD II Project entered his community—and his life began to change.
Read more: From Struggle to Stability: Sahile’s Journey to Success
Nigiste Yalew's Journey through Poultry Farming and Forest Restoration
Nigiste Yalew, a 57-year-old woman from Jibasira kebele in the South Gondar Zone, has faced many challenges in her life. She is a subsistence farmer with just 0.5 hectares of land, not enough to support her family. “I often struggled financially and had to borrow money from informal lenders and relatives,” she recalls.
Her situation changed with the arrival of the ORDA Ethiopia Landscape Restoration project, funded by Cartier for Nature. This project selected her for poultry production support, as she met the criteria like being a woman-headed household with low income.
Read more: Nigiste Yalew's Journey through Poultry Farming and Forest Restoration
A RESILIENCE JOURNEY AND HOP IN BEEKEEPING
My name is Etsegenet Tarekegn. I am a beekeeper, married, and a father of 3. My inspiration was my uncle, who practiced traditional beekeeping. I remember how he managed the bees and the honey harvest I tasted at a young age. As soon as I completed high school, I began beekeeping with one Modern hive I bought on credit, with a little training I received from the local agricultural bureau.
"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.
Read more: Empowered by Nutrition: A Mother's Journey to Health and Prosperity
Revitalizing Alemitu's Life and Marriage
"My name is Alemitu Weldetensay, and I live in Bara Eyesus Kebele, Sekota Woreda, Wag Himra Zone. I am married and have one child. To support my family, my husband and I engaged in a local off-farm small grain trading business, and he also worked as a day laborer. Despite our efforts, the income we earned wasn’t enough to cover our monthly household expenses. As the cost of rent and basic needs increased, we faced separation. During this difficult time, I turned to my kebele, Bara Eyesus, and engaged in the local grain trade to survive.