The Change That Began at Home

Living in the Tilte area of Hawassa City Administration, Tinsae was raising her two young sons with her husband. Although life was not always easy, they shared the responsibilities of caring for their family and looked forward to building a better future together. That changed when her husband disappeared without explanation. Left to raise her children on her own, Tinsae suddenly became the family's sole provider. To survive, she worked wherever she could, cleaning houses, washing clothes, and preparing food for community events. The work was physically demanding, irregular, and poorly paid, leaving her exhausted and struggling to meet her family's basic needs.

Like many women facing similar challenges in her community, Tinsae had limited access to stable economic opportunities and support systems. The responsibility of providing for her children rested entirely on her shoulders, while deeply rooted expectations around women's roles often made it harder to access resources and participate fully in economic decision-making. The pressure of survival affected every part of family life. Constant financial stress left Tinsae with little patience, and she often responded with anger when her sons’ made mistakes or asked for things she could not afford. Although she loved her children deeply, she struggled to show them the care and attention she wanted to provide.

"I reached a point where I had lost all hope," Tinsae recalls.

A chance to rebuild

In 2024, Tinsae was identified through the Grow Equal Project, implemented by SOS Children's Villages in Ethiopia with support from the Austrian Development Agency (ADA). The project recognized not only the challenges her family was facing but also her determination to create a better future for her children. Through the project, Tinsae participated in entrepreneurship training, positive parenting sessions, and the Parenting for Respectability approach. She also received seed capital to establish her own egg-retailing business. While the business support helped her begin building a more stable income, the parenting training transformed the way she understood her role as a mother.

"The training helped me understand that parenting is more than providing," she says. "Every word, every action, and every moment with my children matters."

The sessions helped Tinsae reflect on how financial pressure had affected her relationship with her sons. Determined to change, she apologized to them and committed herself to raising them with greater love, patience, and respect. Gradually, trust and warmth returned to their home. At the same time, her small business began to grow. As her customer base increased, she started saving regularly through a Savings and Credit Cooperative Organization (SACCO). After building a consistent savings record, she qualified for a loan, expanded her business, and steadily improved her family's financial security.

A stronger family

About a year after joining the project, Tinsae received unexpected news, her husband had returned, expressing deep regret for leaving the family. After many conversations, they chose to rebuild their relationship and move forward together. Her husband also joined the Grow Equal Project, where he received training on positive parenting, gender equality, and shared household responsibilities. Together, they began raising their children as equal partners while jointly managing their growing business. The renewed stability had a positive impact on their sons, who became more confident and performed better at school. Their home, once marked by uncertainty and stress, gradually became a place of cooperation, respect, and hope. Looking back on her journey, Tinsae recognizes how much she has changed.

"Before my husband left, I depended entirely on his income. Now I have learned the importance of having my own. Even though it was the darkest period of my life, it made me stronger."

About the project

Tinsae's journey reflects the broader challenges faced by many families in the communities supported by the Grow Equal Project. A gap analysis conducted in the Tilte area of Hawassa City Administration and the Jiren and Mendera Kochi areas of Jimma City Administration highlighted persistent challenges affecting gender equality, child protection, and family resilience. Although many community members recognized the importance of gender equality, deeply rooted social and cultural norms continued to influence expectations around women's roles, decision-making, resource ownership, and participation in public spaces. The assessment also identified gaps in access to economic opportunities, social protection services, inclusive participation, and awareness of child protection and gender equality.

Through entrepreneurship training, positive parenting support, financial literacy, access to savings and credit services, and awareness-raising activities, the Grow Equal Project is helping caregivers strengthen their livelihoods while creating safer and more supportive environments for children. Since its launch in 2024, the project has reached 456 children, supported 100 girls, worked with 139 households 135 of them female-headed, including 21 households with persons with disabilities, and indirectly benefited more than 5,600 community members across the target kebeles.