Dambi Saphante, Ethiopia | Under the scorching sun in the arid lands of Ethipoia’s Borana zone a new story of resilience and transformation has unfolded. The Jirena Business Group (BG), comprised of Gubala Sarite Katelo (82), Tume Kiya Tache (35), and Sharu Roba Galgalo (34) has rewritten the narrative of survival and success, thanks to their participation in the Entrepreneurship and Market Inclusion for Transformation (EMIT) project launched there in 2022.
Before their enrollment in the poverty graduation EMIT project, the women of Jirena BG faced a devastating crisis. “There was a bad drought, and we lost all our cows,” recalls Gubala. “We had no food, and our children were dropping out of school.” With no stable source of income, life became a daily struggle for survival, but with the start of program interventions, an opportunity to open a new chapter in their life began.
As with many poverty graduation programs, enrollment began with a critical consumption stipend, ensuring that families had enough to eat while giving them the opportunity to rebuild their livelihoods. The next step focused on building economic stability via training. The group was taught essential skills, including market assessment, profit and loss recording, and the importance of savings provided by a dedicated mentor. “We never knew what saving was,” Gubala admits. “Now, we understand that when you get money, you must save something. You don’t just spend recklessly.”
For the first time, the women opened bank accounts—an achievement they once thought impossible. With this financial literacy, they could reinvest in their businesses, securely save their earnings, and better support their families in the future.
The trio started small, running a kiosk that sold essentials like sugar, tea leaves, cooking oil, and soap bars. Soon, they saw an opportunity to expand. Using profits from the kiosk, they invested in poultry farming, selling eggs and chickens for additional income. Their determination didn’t stop there; they then bought goats, ensuring they had diversified sources of income.
Now, they make up to 1,200 ETB (approx. $9.5 USD) at the very minimum a day and calculate profits at the end of each month. The impact is visible: “Before, we could only eat once a day or sometimes slept hungry,” says Gubala. “Now, we eat three meals a day comfortably.”
Beyond their own families, the ripple effect of their success is evident in the community. “Children who had dropped out of school are now back in class because we can afford to buy them books and pens,” she adds.
For Tume, the most profound transformation has been the shifting perceptions of women’s roles in the community. “When men get money, they misuse it,” she says. “But when you empower a woman, she thinks about how the family can thrive.” Now, men are beginning to see women as valuable contributors to household stability and economic growth.
Sharu echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of education, especially for girls. “We shouldn’t think in the traditional way that girls are only good for marriage. When you educate a girl, you educate the community.”
With a fresh sense of purpose, the Jirena BG is already setting more ambitious goals. “We want to build a bigger shop closer to the road to attract more customers,” says Gubala. “Eventually, we dream of opening a supermarket (grocery store).”
As they look to the future, one thing is clear: these women are no longer just survivors of a crisis; they are entrepreneurial trailblazers, community role models, and proof that when women are empowered, families and entire communities thrive.