Empowered to Succeed: Werkie’s Journey of Change and Growth

Werkie, a mother of two boys aged 15 and 17, was just 16 when she got married, dreaming of a better life. But her reality was far from what she had envisioned. Struggling to make ends meet, Werkie found herself unable to provide for her children the way she had hoped. When her marriage ended, she was left to raise her sons on her own, grappling with how to ensure their future in the face of immense challenges. 

Unable to afford school fees, Werkie made the heart-wrenching decision to send her boys to live with her mother, hoping they would at least receive basic care. Her hopes of giving them a better life seemed to be slipping away, until she encountered the SOS Children’s Villages in Ethiopia Action for Right Accountability and Development Assurance (ARADA) project in Hosaena. 

Launched in 2022, the ARADA project focuses on creating a caring family and a protective community environment for vulnerable children and youth in the Hadiya Zone of Central Ethiopia. After a needs assessment identified high levels of child vulnerability in Hosaena Town, particularly in Arada Kebele, the project set out to make a difference in the lives of 1,000 children, 50 youth, 240 caregivers, and local community organizations, including schools and savings cooperatives with the support of SOS Switzerland. 

For Werkie, the ARADA project became a lifeline. Her sons, who had been out of school due to financial hardship, were able to return to their education. But the impact of the project didn’t stop there. Werkie herself began to receive training in essential parenting skills, such as effective communication and managing teenage emotions—skills that transformed her relationship with her sons. She became a confident mother, equipped to connect with her children on a deeper level and support their growth in meaningful ways.  

The ARADA project not only empowered Werkie as a parent but also opened doors for her economic independence. Through the business development and entrepreneurship training she received, Werkie learned the tools necessary to start her own business. With a 10,000-birr loan from the KIP SACCO, she launched a charcoal trade business. What started as a small operation quickly grew, and Werkie became a wholesaler, supplying other small traders in the area. 

Seeing success in her first business, Werkie accessed a second loan of 20,000 birr to diversify her income, venturing into fast foods and soft drinks. Today, she proudly repays her loan, deposits on time and regularly contributes to her savings.  

Werkie's journey is one of determination and resilience. With her sons back in school and her businesses thriving, she now dreams of furthering her own education and using her success to create job opportunities for other young mothers facing similar struggles. Through the support of the ARADA project, Werkie has not only transformed her own life but has become a positive influence for others in her community. 

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