Yeshareg's story, Ethiopia
Yeshareg, a mother of two in south-western Ethiopia, struggled with hunger and poverty. Through Caritas Ethiopia's CLEAR project, she learned potato farming, joined a women's savings group and raised sheep, enabling her family to eat three meals a day.
Yeshareg with potatoes outside her home in Ethiopia. Photo: Peter Caton/Caritas Australia
Yeshareg and her family outside their home in Ethiopia. Photo: Peter Caton/Caritas Australia
For years, Yeshareg and her family lived with uncertainty.
Yeshareg lives in south-western Ethiopia, where droughts, floods and food insecurity made daily life a constant struggle. A mother of two, she often worried about how she would feed her children. On the hardest days, her family survived on just one meal, and even basic items such as soap were difficult to afford.
“Back then, hunger was a constant struggle. Life was very difficult. On good days, we ate only twice. Other days, we had just one meal,” Yeshareg shared.
“We rarely washed our clothes because we couldn't afford soap.”
Back then, hunger was a constant struggle. Life was very difficult.
In Ethiopia, more than 10 million people face hunger and malnutrition
Everything began to change when Yeshareg joined the CLEAR project, run by Caritas Ethiopia. Through the program, she became part of a women's savings and potato-farming group and learned new agricultural techniques that helped her grow potatoes and other vegetables. What started as a small garden soon became a reliable source of food and income for her family.
Last year, Yeshareg harvested 400 kilograms of crops, selling most of the produce and using the income to buy school uniforms, exercise books and other essentials for her children.
Through the project's savings group, she also learned how to save regularly and build financial security alongside other women in her community. As part of the program, she received a sheep, which later produced offspring that could be sold for additional income.
Yeshareg cultivating sweet potatoes in her garden in her village. Photo: Peter Caton/Caritas Australia
Yeshareg eating with her family in their home in Ethiopia. Photo: Peter Caton/Caritas Australia
“Our lives are much better now. We've gained so much and improved our lives. Before joining, even fruit was hard to get. Now my life has completely changed,” Yeshareg said.
“In the past, my children ate only twice on good days. On hard days, they had only one meal. But after joining this Caritas project, I can now provide three meals a day,” she said.
As part of the project, Yeshareg was given a sheep which gave birth to offsprings. She was then able to sell the lamb and use the additional income from her sales to pay for her children’s education expenses.
“We're happy with our life now. If we keep this up, our future will be even better.”
Along with your generous support, the CLEAR project is supported by the Australian government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP).
Your donation can help
Yeshareg and fellow members of her women's group. Their potato yields have been a great success and Yeshareg uses profits from the potatoes to send her children to school. Photo: Peter Caton/Caritas Australia
Support women's savings group to earn income
Caritas Ethiopia staff member Solomon Tesfaye demonstrating to the women’s group how to prepare the land and plant potatoes. Photo: Peter Caton/Caritas Australia
Provide climate-smart training to farmers
Yeshareg cultivating in her onion garden in her village. Photo: Peter Caton/Caritas Australia
Improve food and water security for communities in disaster-prone areas
