From missed goals on the pitch to hitting milestones on the farm—Zerihun is redefining what success looks like.
When conflict brought his football dream to a halt, he didn’t stand still—he started over. With support from the MaYEA Program, implemented by ORDA Ethiopia in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, Zerihun turned a small plot of land into a thriving source of income, growing papaya and tomatoes with determination and vision.
In less than a year, he repaid his loan, earned profit, and even opened a small shop for his wife—proving that resilience can rewrite any story.
“Farming was never my plan… now it’s my pride and my future.”
From uncertainty to independence—Zerihun’s journey shows that sometimes the best opportunities are the ones we never planned for.
#Mastercard Foundation #icipe, #PHE EC, BfDE # TWA #ORDA Ethiopia. Read more
The Burden of the Returnee
Meet Bizuaye Gulma, a 29 year old returnee from the Middle East whose journey has shown the power of resilience and support. Once overwhelmed by loneliness and uncertainty, she has rebuilt her life through the ORDA Ethiopia and UNICEF program. With chickens, seeds, and the strength of her savings group, she has turned despair into opportunity—feeding her family, earning income, and saving for a brighter future. Her story proves that with the right help, dreams have become possible. Grateful to UNICEF Denmark for the support. Read more
🌿 From Hopelessness to Harvest of Hope
🌿 Meet Bethelhem Girma, a 30 year old mother from Kotu Kebele whose life has been transformed through the support of ORDA Ethiopia and UNICEF Denmark. Once struggling with malnutrition and uncertainty, she has built a thriving backyard farm that now feeds her family, restores her health, and provides income. Her story is proof that with knowledge, resilience, and opportunity, hope has flourished and a brighter future has begun. Hope has been possible with #UNICEFDenmarkSupport.
🌱 From Seeds to Savings: The Journey of Ediget Group
Since June 2023, ORDA Ethiopia, Farm Africa, and donor SIDA have been implementing the NSSID Project in Bati, Kalu, and Werebabo. One standout success comes from the Ediget Vegetable Producer Group in Kombolcha City. With training, hybrid seeds, and the strength of their VESA savings group, members transformed 1.5 hectares into a flourishing farm—harvesting over 281 quintals of vegetables and earning ETB 656,000 in profit. More than income, they have cultivated savings, trust, and social cohesion, showing how nature-based solutions deliver lasting impact for families and communities. Thanks to SIDA & Farm Africa for making this possible
Read more: From Seeds to Savings: The Journey of Ediget Group
Merima Hassan, a mother of four from Haro Gobensa Kebele, has faced immense hardship caring for her family alone due to her husband’s mental illness and lack of income. With support from ORDA Ethiopia and UNICEF’s Climate Smart Nutrition Project, she received chickens and goats, enabling her to feed her malnourished daughter eggs regularly and generate income. Her daughter’s health has improved, and Merima now plans to expand her livestock farming to build a better future. She says, “This project has truly brightened my family’s life from darkness.”
Read more: Merima Hassan, a mother of four from Haro Gobensa Kebele