Beyond the Struggle: How Beletech Rewrote her Story

Beletech, is a mother figure, businesswoman, sister, daughter and much more, but her journey has been anything but easy. Despite already facing the immense challenges of living with HIV and coming from a low-income household, Beletech took on the additional responsibility of caring for her brother's two children as her own, after he struggled with mental health issues. With devotion, she shared, “I may not be their mother, but how could I live letting them suffer when they have no one else to care for them?” Her dedication to them, despite her hardships, is a testament to her true self.

Although Beletech’s actions were nothing short of selfless, her path has been one filled with pain and isolation. The stigma surrounding her health left her feeling disconnected from a community that did not understand her struggles. She kept her sorrow to herself, navigating a life where survival often seemed impossible. With only one source of income, baking and selling injera around her home the dream of providing a better life for her brother’s children seemed impossible.

As life has a way of bringing light even in the darkest times, Beletech’s journey took a turn when she was introduced to the SOS Children’s Villages in Ethiopia Action for Right Accountability and Development Assurance (ARADA) project. This initiative, designed to make a difference in the lives of 1,000 children, 50 youth, 240 caregivers, and local community organizations, including schools and savings cooperatives gave Beletech the tools she needed to succeed. Through small business management training and guidance on parenting, Beletech found the strength to restart her business endeavour’s and make a greater connection with the children.

Eight months later, she secured a 10,000 ETB loan to expand her injera business, a pivotal moment that transformed her life. “My first loan allowed me to make consistent profits for the first time,” Beletech recalls with pride. Encouraged by her early success, Beletech diversified her income, launching a charcoal trading business to add financial stability.

Her progress did not stop there. With a 40,000 ETB loan from a Savings and Credit Cooperative Organization (SACCO), she was able to modernize her business by purchasing an electric pan, making her injera production more efficient. Beletech also began exporting spices and barley flour to South Africa, further expanding her small shop. These ventures not only increased her income but also gave her a renewed sense of purpose and hope for the future. "Since joining the ARADA project, I have not only increased my income, but I have seen a much happier, driven and stronger side of me,” she shared, emotionally.

Today, Beletech's life is filled with purpose. Her dream of providing her brother’s children with quality education has been realized, and she is more committed than ever to offering them the love and stability they need to thrive. "I want to create a legacy of resilience and achievement for my family, regardless of our past and what we may be going through in our lives," she emphasized.

Beletech’s journey is far from over. She remains dedicated to growing her business and building a stronger future for her family, all while hoping that her brother will recover and reunite with his family.

*To respect the person's privacy, their real name has not been used.