Hope in the Hands of the Faithful

In the sun-scorched lands of Midhaga Tola Woreda within Ethiopia’s East Hararghe Zone, the land tells the story of people living on the edge of uncertainty. Here, lives Hassan, a 55-year-old father of seven. Like many in his community, Hassan's life depended on his land.  

Rain no longer arrives when it is expected. The seasons, once reliable, have grown erratic. For Hassan, climate change is not a distant headline. It is the dry land beneath his feet, and the concerning glances exchanged among neighbors as another planting season passes without promise. 

As the drought deepened, the elders of Midhaga Tola turned to the one hope they could still count on: prayer. In backyards shaded by trees, the community gathers. Hands raised, eyes skyward, they ask for rain. "Sometimes, the prayers are answered before we have even reached home," one elder says, "but more often, we return to silence." These moments, though brief, strengthen the bonds that have always held the community together. 

Daily routines rooted in faith 

Each day, Hassan begins his day before dawn. He walks the narrow path to his maize field, carrying only tools hoping the day would bring something new. He works the soil diligently, readying it to capture what little rain may fall. On especially hot days, when the sun becomes relentless, Hassan and his fellow farmers retreat to a favorite meeting spot under the shade tree near his land. There, they share updates, small joys, and fears about the rain vanishing. Their conversations often end the same way: “Inshallah, God willing we will receive enough to carry us through.” 

For years, Hassan relied on traditional methods of farming passed down through generations. But tradition alone could no longer keep pace with a climate growing increasingly hostile. The land he had farmed his whole life was producing less each year. At one point, his one hectare yielded barely a single quintal of maize and sorghum each, nowhere near enough to feed his family. 

In 2024, SOS Children’s Villages in Ethiopia, in collaboration with the Dutch Relief Alliance (DRA), conducted an in-depth assessment of Midhaga Tola. The findings revealed what families like Hassan’s had long known about traditional farming could no longer sustain them. Urgent support was needed to help farmers adapt to the realities of a changing climate. 

The assessment also shed light on the deeper, systemic challenges facing the community, including the effects of entrenched harmful traditional practices such as burning children's bodies in misguided attempts to cure illness alongside persistent issues like gender-based violence, sexual harassment, exploitation, abuse, and the widespread neglect of children's mental health, often resulting in harmful parenting practices. These issues, coupled with climate change, were severely limiting families’ ability to adapt and recover. 

In response, the Ethiopia Joint Response (EJR) project was launched aiming to assist nearly 37,700 affected individuals and community members as a vital source of support and resilience. Designed around the communities’ most vital needs, the project has been delivering life-saving interventions, ranging from food security and livelihood assistance to protection services and direct cash support. While also laying the groundwork for long-term recovery and sustainable development. 

As one of the projects participants, Hassan received access to improved seeds, modern farming tools, and hands-on training in climate-smart agricultural practices. For the first time, he had not only the tools but also the knowledge to approach farming in a new, more sustainable way. 

A harvest reborn 

The results were notable. Hassan learned how to manage his crops more effectively, conserve water, and make the most of his land. With improved maize seeds and proper tools, his harvest improved remarkably. From just 1 quintal of maize and sorghum to an impressive 8 quintals of maize and 7 quintals of sorghum. This became more than just a better yield; it was food on the table, income he could rely on, and renewed hope. 

Today, Hassan still gathers under the tree with fellow farmers, but the conversations have changed. Now, he shares tips on planting, soil care, and seed selection. The despair felt in their conversations is slowly being replaced by knowledge sharing, action, and a renewed sense of possibility. 

For Hassan, this journey is far from over. But with the support he received, and the wisdom he now passes on, he believes that communities living in Midhaga Tola can not only survive the challenges of climate change but grow stronger through them. 

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