A Mother’s Hope Restored

30-year-old Hindiya lives in a small village near the city of Sashemene, around 250 kilometres from Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia, with two of her young boys. Divorced by her husband around three years ago, Hindiya, who was just a simple housewife, was forced to be the head of the household without any money or skill. “I was a stay-at-home mom without any prior business expertise. My husband left me and the kids without a penny,” she says.

Hindiya’s eldest son, Nurdin, is now eleven years old and studies in fifth grade. He recalled how he used to go to school feeling very hungry because there was no food in the house. "On most days, I went to school without breakfast, feeling weak and disinterested in class. This caused me to do poorly at school, although I really tried to study. I even could not advance to the next grade once.”

Nurdin also recalled how his three-year-old brother also suffered severe malnutrition. His brother would be so sick all the time that his mother had to take him to the health centre frequently. Nurdin was always afraid that he would lose his brother. He recalls, “At school, I was often disturbed by thoughts of losing my brother, and this had added to my disinterest in learning and playing at school.”

In the past, the money that Hindiya made was barely enough to buy even one meal for the family. She did everything she could, "There was no stone that I left unturned to help my children get enough food. Despite all my efforts, I couldn’t make it happen. My little son was exposed to severe malnourishment as a result. My elder son went to school without breakfast. It really made me very sad." said Hindiya.

Hope touched Hindiya’s life when World Vision’s Shashemene Area Programme determined to help Hindiya and many other vulnerable families who experienced a similar fate. Hindiya and other women in her village received skill-upgrading training on vegetable farming, were provided with improved vegetable seeds, and were enrolled in the savings for transformation group. The savings group helps her and other community members to access loans and engage in income-generating activities. Moreover, they also received useful training on how to prepare nutritious meals for their children. 

Today, Hindiya grows cabbages, onions, carrots, beetroots, and potatoes in her yard three times a year. She also has access to loans that help her run a small poultry business. She says, “My family consumes most of the vegetables I grow, and I sell the surplus to the local market. I can then use that extra money from selling vegetables and from the poultry business to ensure my children are well-nourished and to support them with school materials.” 

Nurdin and his little brother are enjoying life now. He says, “Now, we have enough to eat. Our mother prepares various meals and feeds us three times daily. I no longer go to bed or school on an empty stomach. I gladly attend class. Moreover, I am very happy to see my brother healthy and happy."

By Aklilu Kassaye, Field Communication Manager, World Vision Ethiopia