A Home Restored Through Perseverance

Living in the Chamo area of Arba Minch, Belaynesh a mother of three, relied largely on the small and irregular income her husband earned through daily labour. Her two older children attended primary school while her youngest was in kindergarten, but financial difficulties often affected their education and well-being. Some days there was enough food for the family; other days, difficult choices had to be made. School supplies were often used until there was no space left on the pages, and replacing worn-out uniforms was rarely a priority when there were more immediate needs at home. Despite the challenges, Belaynesh tried to shield her children from the weight of her worries. 

"I always hoped things would get better," she says. "I wanted my children to believe that their future could be different." 

As financial pressures grew, Belaynesh became increasingly isolated from her community. Participating in social events or contributing to community activities often required money she did not have. Most of her time and energy went into caring for her children and managing the household with whatever resources were available. When she became pregnant with her third child, Belaynesh knew she needed to find another source of income. Soon after giving birth, she began baking injera in other people's homes. While she worked, her eldest daughter helped care for her younger brother after school. 

"It wasn't easy," Belaynesh recalls. "But I knew I had to do something to support my family." 

A chance to build on what she started 

While working house to house, Belaynesh was identified through the Arba Minch Family and Community Strengthening Project, implemented by SOS Children's Villages in Ethiopia with support from SOS Children's Villages Iceland. The project recognized not only the challenges her family was facing but also the effort she was already making to improve their situation. Through the project, Belaynesh participated in entrepreneurship training, positive parenting sessions, and child rights and protection awareness activities. Her two older children also took part in trainings on life skills, child protection, and children's rights. In addition, they received school materials and uniform support that helped them continue their education with greater confidence. For Belaynesh's eldest daughter, Yimegnushal, the change was immediate. 

"There were times I used to worry more about what was happening at home than about my lessons," she says. "I often felt different from other students because of what I lacked. Now I can focus on my studies and prepare for my 6th grade regional examination." 

The parenting sessions were equally important for Belaynesh. They helped her better understand her children's needs and strengthened communication within the family during a period when financial stress often affected daily life. At the same time, she learned about saving and financial planning through a savings and credit cooperative supported by the project. After saving consistently for six months, she qualified for her first loan. 

Investing in a better future 

Belaynesh already knew where she wanted to invest. Using the loan, she purchased materials for her own injera business. Building a customer base was not easy at first. She baked injera for local markets and searched for buyers wherever she could find them. Then an opportunity arrived, a restaurant owner who had previously purchased her injera approached her about becoming a regular supplier. What started as a single business relationship gradually opened the door to other customers. 

Today, Belaynesh earns an income through her injera business and continues to expand her market. The additional income helps her provide more consistently for her children, improve conditions at home, and plan for the future with greater confidence. The change is visible not only in the family's finances but also in their daily lives. With less pressure to focus on immediate survival, Belaynesh is able to spend more time supporting her children's education and well-being. Looking at her children, she remains focused on the same goal that carried her through years of hardship. 

"I am working hard today so they can have a better tomorrow," she says. "I want to see them succeed in their education, achieve their dreams, and build good lives for themselves." 

About the project 

Belaynesh's journey shows what can happen when families are given the support they need to build on their own strengths. Through parenting guidance, financial literacy training, access to savings and credit services, and livelihood support, she has been able to create a more stable and nurturing environment for her children, one where they can focus on their education, feel protected, and look to the future with confidence. 

This is the vision behind the first phase of the Arba Minch Family and Community Strengthening Project (2024–2026). The project currently supports 637 underserved children and 224 parents and caregivers, working alongside government schools, community-based organizations, and savings and credit cooperatives to strengthen families and communities. By helping caregivers develop the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to care for their children, the project is contributing to lasting improvements in children's well-being and opportunities for the future.