Child Sponsorship

Ethiopia faces a growing youth unemployment crisis, with over 25% of young people aged 15 to 29 out of work, according to the World Bank. Many youth, especially young women, face systemic barriers to decent work and self-reliance. But behind the statistics are powerful stories of resilience, like that of Haymanot, a 23-year-old young woman who turned tragedy into opportunity.

Haymanot was only 10 years old when her life took a heartbreaking turn. Her father, the family’s sole breadwinner, passed away, leaving her mother to raise four children alone. To survive, her mother began selling small items by the roadside in their home in Addis Ababa. Despite her determination, it was not enough to sustain the family or keep the children in school.

Amidst this hardship, Haymanot’s mother reached out to Future Hopes Integrated Development Organization (FHIDO), ChildFund’s local partner. Through ChildFund’s sponsorship program, Haymanot received school uniforms, books, and essential learning materials. This support gave her the chance to stay in school and dream beyond survival.

After completing Grade 10, Haymanot was selected for a six-month vocational training in sewing, fully funded by ChildFund. Upon graduation, she received a sewing machine to launch her small business.

Driven to do more, Haymanot taught herself how to design and craft traditional handbags for young women. These products quickly became popular in local markets. Selling up to 40 bags a month, she was able to generate a monthly income of nearly USD 62, a significant leap forward for a family once on the brink.

Haymanot’s journey hasn’t been without challenges. Navigating the ups and downs of local markets, she has learned to be adaptable and resourceful. Her next big dream is to purchase a specialized leather sewing machine worth USD 615 and expand her product line. She is eager to tap into the growing demand for leather goods and take her business to the next level.

In 2024 alone, ChildFund and FHIDO supported 600 youth like Haymanot with vocational tools and startup grants worth over USD 11,500. These investments in youth skills and entrepreneurship are breaking cycles of poverty and opening up new pathways to independence, especially for young women with big dreams and even bigger potential.

“In the face of widespread youth unemployment, we see too many young people trapped in hopelessness, exposed to crime, drug abuse or forced into risky migration, especially to the Middle East,” says Andualem Tesfaye, Manager at FHIDO. “That’s why this support matters. We’re giving them skills and tools which in turn give them money and a second chance at life. When youth are supported financially and with the right skills, they rise and they lift their families and communities with them.”

The supported youth are now running small businesses in diverse vocational fields including welding, masonry, hairdressing, sewing, carpentry, metalwork, plumbing, electrical installation, mobile phone repair, and food preparation. These practical skills are helping them to generate income and gradually build sustainable livelihoods.