A New Foundation for Independence

Blen is a 27-year-old young woman who has spent much of her life learning how to navigate uncertainty while holding on to her hopes for the future. Her journey has not followed a simple path, nor has it been shaped by opportunities easily placed within her reach. Growing up with the support of a local charitable organization in Addis Ababa, Blen learned from an early age that building an independent life would require determination, courage, and perseverance. While she was grateful for the care and support, she received throughout her childhood, she also understood that transitioning into adulthood would bring new challenges. Without the support systems that many young people rely on, Blen knew she would have to make important decisions about her future and find her own path toward independence. 

For many young people who grow up in alternative care, leaving care marks the beginning of a difficult transition. While many report positive experiences during their time in care, SOS Children’s Villages in Ethiopia’s Situational Analysis and Policy Gap Assessment highlights the challenges young care leavers often face after leaving care, including limited access to employment opportunities, financial resources, and support systems. Yet, despite the uncertainty that surrounded her transition, Blen remained determined to create a different future for herself. She understood that education would be an important foundation for independence, and she worked hard to achieve it. In 2021, she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in marketing management. She later completed short-term training in business management, hoping to use her knowledge either to secure decent employment or establish a business aligned with her skills and interests. 

However, transitioning from education into economic independence was not as straightforward as she had hoped. Despite her qualifications and ambition, limited access to financial resources prevented her from pursuing her entrepreneurial goals. Finding stable employment also proved difficult, leaving her searching for temporary work while trying to identify opportunities that could help her build a sustainable livelihood. During this period, meeting her daily expenses became increasingly challenging. At one point, Blen rented a small house for ETB 4,000 per month but was unable to immediately settle the payment. Through honest communication with her landlord, she negotiated a two-month grace period to repay the outstanding amount. Even during this uncertain time, she remained focused on finding a way forward. 

An opportunity to turn hope into action 

Sometimes, opportunities come when they are least expected. For Blen, that opportunity came when she learned about the Leave No Youth Behind (LNYB) project, implemented by SOS Children’s Villages in Ethiopia with support from SOS Børnebyerne. A project designed to support young care leavers through skills development, entrepreneurship training, job placement support, and access to opportunities that strengthen their transition into independent adulthood. For Blen, joining the project felt like an answered prayer, coming at a time when she was searching for an opportunity to transform her circumstances and build the independent life she had worked toward.

She approached every opportunity with commitment and determination. Although she had already completed a short-term course in business management, she actively participated in the life skills and practical business management training, recognizing that there was still more to learn. The sessions provided her with practical knowledge and tools that complemented her academic background and strengthened her understanding of how to establish and manage a sustainable business. After completing the training, Blen qualified to access a loan of ETB 50,000 through a Savings and Credit Cooperative Organization (SACCO) facilitated through the project. The loan became the first major opportunity that allowed her to move from planning for independence to actively building it. 

Building a livelihood  

Using the loan, Blen established a small fast-food and coffee business. To strengthen her income while growing her enterprise, she also started working as an agent for Ethio Telecom’s Telebirr service. The journey required commitment and perseverance, and Blen balanced managing her business, serving customers, and working as a sales agent with grace. There were moments when she had to handle every responsibility herself, but she continued because she knew each effort was bringing her closer to the independence she had worked toward. The income generated from these activities gradually changed her circumstances. She was able to repay the outstanding ETB 8,000 house rent and slowly repay her loan. 

A future built through resilience 

Today, Blen’s fast-food and coffee business has grown steadily and now provides employment for another young woman, who receives a monthly salary of ETB 4,000. Building on the success of her first business, Blen expanded her entrepreneurial activities by renting an additional space and launching a second business crafting and selling traditional Ethiopian clothing. The clothing business now generates an average daily income of ETB 2,000–3,000, enabling her to cover her expenses and continue investing in her future, proudly saving ETB 14,000 each month through a traditional savings scheme. Through discipline and persistence, she has built financial stability and continues to invest in her future. 

Reflecting on her journey, Blen says "ኢየሱስ ከፈለ – Jesus paid. I thank God that the LNYB project has completely transformed my life, helping me move from a situation where I felt invisible and without opportunities to my current status of growth, confidence and hope for the future." 

About the project 

The LNYB project has reached 1,259 young care leavers since 2022 through integrated support aimed at strengthening their transition into independent adulthood. The project has been providing entrepreneurship training, vocational skills development, life skills training, peer support, sexual and reproductive health and rights training, peacebuilding initiatives, health insurance, mental health interventions, internship placements, start-up capital, and social protection support. Alongside direct support, SOS Children’s Villages in Ethiopia continues to advocate for policy changes that recognize and protect the rights of care leavers within national legal and regulatory frameworks. Through combining personal resilience with structured support, the project has been helping young people move from uncertainty toward stability, independence, and hope for the future. 

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