“A Bright Future for Me, My Family, and My Community” – Genet Zewdu Genet Zewdu, a 30-year-old woman from the Sidama Region of Ethiopia, is one of 303 women selected to participate in the Mass Youth Employment in Apiculture (MaYEA) program. The initiative is led by IIRR and SOS Sahel, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation. Genet shared her journey: “I lost both my parents when I was about eight and went to live with my uncle, who already had five children. At 18, I dropped out of school after Grade 7 to marry my husband. Despite finishing Grade 12, he couldn't find work. In our community, girls are rarely encouraged to study beyond elementary school, even when families can afford it.” She continued, “After marriage, my husband farmed a small plot of land he inherited. We grew corn and inset (false banana), a staple food in Sidama. Life was hard – our income was low, and the land was small. I never imagined doing more than household chores.” That changed when Genet was selected for a 14-day MaYEA training program – primarily for women – covering beekeeping, sheep and goat fattening, and small business development. “After the training, I built 10 transitional beehives using local materials and planted bee forage on five plots, with help from SOS Sahel and kebele agricultural officers. Growing forage near the hives is new to our area. It boosts honey production by reducing the distance bees must fly. I received seeds and guidance from MaYEA officers. Now, I’m even selling seedlings to other local beekeepers.” Before joining MaYEA, Genet had three traditional beehives but only harvested about nine kilos of honey, which barely helped the family. “It wasn’t easy,” she recalled. “Women here who attend public meetings or trainings are often judged. My husband doubted the benefits, saying our ancestors didn’t rely on women’s income. I wasn’t offended – his views reflect a deeply rooted societal norm.” Now, Genet is confident: “With the skills I’ve gained, I’m ready to grow my honey business and boost our income. I’m also part of a Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) with 390 members and lead a group of five women in my neighborhood. We support one another and tackle challenges together.” She concluded with hope: “MaYEA and its partners have pledged to support me until I succeed. With their help and God’s grace, I believe I’ll become a successful entrepreneur and a role model for other women. Right now, my family and I live in a rundown hut. My next goal is to build a proper home.” Visit www.iirr.org to learn more about how IIRR supports rural women like Genet in building resilient livelihoods and breaking barriers through sustainable agriculture and enterprise. (fb)

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