From limitation to liberation through Beekeeping and Livestock Farming, the story of a young woman

 Zaritu Gilete tending to her thriving beehive and sheep in Amhara Saynt. October 20, 2025

Zaritu Gilete Mekonen, a 26-year-old woman from 01 Kebele, Amhara Saynt, has demonstrated remarkable determination in overcoming the challenges of living with a physical disability. Despite obstacles that once limited her opportunities, she has started a new journey toward independence through beekeeping and livestock farming.

Read more: From limitation to liberation through Beekeeping and Livestock Farming, the story of a young woman

W/ro Meseret Woday from Kokit Kebele, Meket Woreda, North Wollo Zone, faced hardship after migrating abroad and returning home with no financial gain. Following a broken marriage and the challenge of raising twins alone, her children suffered from malnutrition and were enrolled in the OTP program. Through ORDA Ethiopia and UNICEF’s Climate Smart Nutrition Project, she received three sheep—now eight—which helped her restore her children’s health and rebuild her livelihood. Meseret is now determined to expand her work, invest in cattle, and inspire others in her community.

Read more: W/ro Meseret Woday from Kokit Kebele, Meket Woreda, North Wollo Zone

Koti Kebele, home to over 5,600 people across six watersheds, has long struggled with land degradation, water scarcity, and declining productivity. In response, ORDA Ethiopia and RVO launched the Reversing the Flow (RtF) project in October 2024—a community-led initiative designed to restore landscapes, empower local institutions, and improve livelihoods through inclusive, participatory natural resource management. Please read more..

Read more: Koti Kebele, home to over 5,600 people across six watersheds

Breaking Barriers in Beekeeping: Yerom and Belayneh’s Journey

In the quiet highlands of the Amhara Region, North Wollo Zone, Wadla Woreda, Delenga Kebele, lives a determined 26-year-old woman named W/ro Yerom Dagnachew. A wife, a mother of two, and a small-scale farmer, Yerom has always dreamed of giving her children a better life than her own.

For 12 years, she and her husband, Belayneh Alemu, farmed wheat and teff on their small plot of land given to them by their parents. But the land was not always kind. “Some seasons, the rain didn’t come on time, and when it did, the prices at the market were too low,” Yerom recalls. “No matter how hard we worked, we couldn’t earn enough to feed our family.”

A Modest Beginning

Seven years ago, the couple decided to try something new — beekeeping. They started with six hives, four modern and two traditional. At first, the business was entirely managed by Belayneh. Yerom’s role was limited to assisting her husband, helping to clean the hives, and tending to the bees when needed.

Read more: Breaking Barriers in Beekeeping: Yerom and Belayneh’s Journey