The Hands Behind Every Harvest

Every morning before sunrise, Zahara, a 37-year-old mother of five, steps onto her farm in the rural village of Jiren near Jimma town, before the rush of daily life begins and before she must become the mother, the wife, and the neighbor everyone depends on. In the quiet of the fields, she finds a moment that belongs to her. It is where she feels most alive, planting, tending, and harvesting the food that sustains her family. For Zahara, farming has always been more than a livelihood. Over time, it has become a source of calm, pride, and identity. Through her dedication to the land, she has been proving that women farmers in her community are not only contributors to agriculture, but powerful agents of change, capable of transforming their families’ futures and inspiring others to do the same. 

When everything was lost 

Just a few years ago, Zahara’s mornings carried more fear than hope. A devastating fire destroyed the family’s farmland overnight. Livestock, animal feed, tools, and seeds were reduced to ashes. The land that once supported their family was suddenly barren, leaving them with no way to restart. The loss went far beyond income, and it meant inconsistent meals for the family, missed school days for the children, and impossible choices when illness struck and healthcare was out of reach. The stress weighed heavily on Zahara and her husband, pushing the family into constant survival mode. Yet even in the hardest moments, Zahara knew she was destined to turn loss into a new beginning. 

A second chance 

In 2024, Zahara’s turning point came through the Grow Equal: Her Rights for a Sustainable Life Project, funded by the Austrian Development Cooperation. The project helped Zahara and her husband rebuild what had been lost. Alongside agricultural inputs and financial support to restore their farm, the couple participated in community dialogues, and psychosocial support sessions. These open conversations allowed them to process the pain and uncertainty they had carried since the fire. For the first time in years, they began to see their struggles not as individual burdens but as challenges they could overcome together. Zahara also received training in small business development and financial management. She joined a Savings and Credit Cooperative Organization (SACCO), where she learned how to save regularly and access credit for future investments. With new knowledge and support, Zahara began rebuilding her farm from the ground up. Seedlings of coffee, banana, papaya, and avocado gave her the opportunity to cultivate the land again, this time with greater confidence and skills. As the farm grew, Zahara and her husband diversified their work, adding beekeeping and teff production. Gradually, their income became more stable and predictable. 

A family thriving again 

The changes were felt across the household. With health insurance provided through the project, illness no longer meant a financial crisis. School materials ensured the children returned to class with confidence. The atmosphere at home shifted from stress to cooperation, with even the children taking an interest in farming activities after school. What once felt like an impossible recovery had become a new beginning. Today, Zahara is not only a farmer, but she is also a small business owner and a role model for other women in her community. She openly shares her experiences, encouraging families to invest in local livelihoods rather than depend on unstable daily labor. Her journey shows that starting small can lead to lasting transformation. 

“I struggled to meet basic needs and lost faith in my own capacity after the fire,” Zahara says. “Through the support, skills, and livelihood assistance I received, I regained my capacity and self-respect. Today I stand with new hope and confidence, determined to build a better future for my children.” 

About the project 

Zahara’s story reflects the broader mission of the Grow Equal Project (2024–2027) in Jimma Town, Oromia. The initiative promotes equal rights, opportunities, and access to resources for women and girls, particularly in green economic initiatives and social protection. By supporting families in vulnerable communities, the project directly benefits 1,110 individuals (792 women and 318 men) and indirectly reaches 20,000 people, helping build communities where women farmers can thrive socially and economically. Zahara’s journey is not just about rebuilding a farm. It is about reclaiming dignity, restoring hope, and proving that when women farmers are empowered, entire families and communities’ flourish. 

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