Ayele Wako, a resident of Sike Bokosa Kebele in Hambela Wamena Woreda, is showcasing how agricultural development can serve as a powerful catalyst for broader economic growth and improved family well-being.
In 2024, Ayele became a beneficiary of the Integrated Actions for Building Resilience in Communities project, an initiative implemented by the Ethio Wetlands and Natural Resources Association (EWNRA) with financial backing from Menschen für Menschen–Switzerland (MfM-CH). Through this partnership, he was provided with 250 high-quality coffee seedlings with a credit of ETB 1,500 to help establish his coffee plot, carrying a manageable interest of just ETB 90.
Recognizing that long-term resilience requires multiple streams of revenue, Ayele did not sit idle while waiting for his coffee plants to mature. Capitalizing on local transport and agricultural logistics needs, he established a horse-renting business that now brings in a steady and reliable ETB 1,000 per week. This entrepreneurial venture provides his household with immediate, consistent cash flow to manage daily expenses and reinvest in his farm.
The impacts of this integrated support extend directly to his home life. A dedicated father of two children, Ayele is utilizing his increased income to invest in his family’s health and future. Furthermore, as part of the project’s focus on health integration and equitable household development, Ayele and his family have actively adopted family planning practices, ensuring they can sustainably manage their resources and look after the well-being of their household.
Ayele’s story highlights the core vision of EWNRA and MfM-CH’s intervention. By blending targeted agricultural inputs with financial inclusion and health awareness, the project empowers motivated individuals to build secure, multi-faceted livelihoods that safeguard their families for years to come.
