Mesay does whatever it takes to provide for her family.
For years, she spent long days doing manual labor — working as a housekeeper, and even a construction worker, carrying heavy cement and stones.
Mesay and her husband are raising their two daughters in Ethiopia. Her husband works at a store, loading and unloading goods.
For a time, Mesay had success selling coffee, but a city redevelopment project forced her to close that part of her business. Losing that income was discouraging, but rather than giving up, she contacted local government officials, who promised to relocate her to a new marketplace once construction is complete.
The turning point for their family came when Mesay received help from Convoy of Hope’s Women’s Empowerment program. Through business training and startup capital, she launched a chicken farm and expanded her ability to earn an income for her family.
“The training gave me a new sense of hope and direction,” Mesay said.
The lessons she learned extended far beyond starting a business. She developed practical skills in financial self-sufficiency, saving, and business planning.
Today, Mesay purchases young chickens, raises them, and reinvests her profits to steadily grow her business. She also participates in a local women’s savings group, creating an additional layer of financial security for her family.
Before starting her own business, she couldn’t afford to send her two daughters to school. Today, both girls are enrolled. The oldest participates in Convoy of Hope’s Children’s Feeding program, helping ease the family’s daily expenses.
Mesay hopes to open a restaurant connected to her chicken farm — serving chicken and egg-based meals while supplying eggs and poultry to local supermarkets. By expanding her own business, she plans to create jobs for others in her community.
For Mesay, life has transformed from a daily struggle to a thriving business, a stable home, and a future filled with possibility.
