A Step Towards Food Security and Asset Building
Alise Mohammed, a 34-year-old mother of ten, is one of the many success stories emerging from PAPDA’s grinding mill income generation scheme in Dharkaley, a target kebele of the organization. When Alise joined the program, she was facing immense challenges—struggling to feed her large family and provide school supplies for her children. Recurring droughts had further strained her household, mirroring the struggles of many families in her village.
A Life-Changing Opportunity
Alise’s life began to change when she was selected to join the grinding mill income-generating activity (IGA) after a rigorous screening process led by PAPDA, in collaboration with the Women and Children Affairs office. PAPDA identified grinding mills as a feasible livelihood option to empower women in vulnerable situations and improve their income streams.
Alise expressed her gratitude, saying:
“I am extremely happy to be embraced under the grinding mill IGA scheme. The grinding mill serves two purposes—generating income for its members and reducing the burden on women in our village, who previously had to travel long distances to access similar services. Before, we spent 3 to 4 days traveling to Bokolmayo town just to grind grains—a risky and exhausting undertaking. Now, that challenge is behind us. Mothers can instead spend time caring for their children and supporting their families.”
Income Growth and Future Plans
At the time of writing, Alise and her group had accumulated 100,000 ETB through the grinding mill operations. With part of these savings, they purchased 20 goats for 3,000 ETB each, intending to fatten and sell them at a higher price. They estimate they will sell the goats at double the purchase price, expecting a 30,000 ETB profit.
Buoyed by the success of the IGA scheme, Alise now envisions a brighter future. She hopes to venture into goat trading independently and dreams of building a house in the nearby town of Bokolmayo. With the support of PAPDA, Alise feels confident that her days of struggling to feed her children and finance their education are behind her.
A Grateful Heart and a Renewed Future
Alise’s story highlights the transformative power of targeted interventions aimed at building resilience and improving livelihoods. She expressed her heartfelt gratitude to PAPDA, the project team, and the donor agency, saying:
“Thank you for making the grinding mill IGA a reality. I no longer worry about feeding my family or sending my children to school. This program has given me a sense of security and hope for a better future.”
Alise’s journey illustrates how strategic, community-driven projects can uplift individuals, foster self-reliance, and contribute to long-term food security and asset building. Her success not only impacts her family but also serves as an inspiration for others in her community to pursue sustainable livelihoods.
