Recipe for success

Bedassa had dropped out of school in grade 10 to become a farmer just like his family had always done. But having his education cut short also deprived him of the learning opportunities to do more than just subsistence farming. Without the knowledge or means to improve his yields, he struggled to provide for his growing family.

It’s been a vicious cycle for communities in this part of Ethiopia. Where fledgling farmers have depended entirely on the risky proposition of rain-fed agriculture to grow enough to meet their needs. When crops came up short or even failed, many farmers had to take on crippling debt or become unemployed.

Community solutions for community problems

After a full assessment, Bole Bible Baptist Church (BBBC), a Children Believe partner, determined that the biggest difference for Bedassa and his community could come through a simple concept: irrigation.

BBBC and Children Believe set up a program to help young adults maximize their agricultural opportunities in two villages of Ethiopia’s Oromia region.  With access to irrigation training and micro-loans, they began to flourish. Through this new opportunity and his drive to learn, Bedassa is taking his farming productivity to the next level.

“Being part of an organized irrigation group has made it possible for us to obtain a new irrigation pump, improved vegetable seeds, pesticides, and training in water management,” says Bedassa, 35, who grows rolled cabbage. In just five months last year, he achieved financial success by selling eight truckloads of produce. “I’m ready to expand the land and crop variety in the coming season.”

Sowing the seeds of change

As the leader of the community group, Bedassa is now imparting this same knowledge to younger men and women so that too can grow their farming output.

Mulugeta, in a neighbouring village, is also a leader of a new irrigation farming group. Together, the 20 members, including eight women, have cultivated two hectares of land to produce significant tomato crops. Despite falling prices, they’ve been able to achieve a profit and can focus on advancing their businesses. 

“We plan to expand our irrigated farmland to include a variety of crops, purchase a transportation vehicle, and increase our savings after the next cropping season so we can keep reinvesting,” says Mulugeta, who is just 25. 

“Our ultimate goal is to ensure food security and provide employment opportunities for 10 more youths.”

Sponsoring a child, sponsor a community

While child sponsorship supports individual children, pooled money from donors also funds community development, like agricultural training so that everyone benefits in a variety of different ways.

Now, the next generation of leaders in these two Ethiopian villages are well equipped to succeed. But if not for the additional training to provide more consistent water to their crops, they would have remained stuck in a struggle for survival. Instead, they have control over their careers and set their own path in life.