Mekonen Werku

Ato Mekonen Werku is 60 years who is living alone. Previously he was living with wife who is a mother of one son and a daughter. Both were earning their income through engaging as a daily laborer Ten years before both knew their status of HIV/AIDS which was positive. His wife passed away after a year because of refusing to take the anti retro viral drug. Ato Mekonen now constantly follows up his health condition and taking the ART.
As time goes on he was unable to engage as a daily laborer and could not support his two children and obliged to give his children to other individuals as an adoption. With no option left, he heard about Eneredada Elders People Association and become the client. He explained as follows:

I  was seen by my neighbors and friend that I cant live afterwards and they were discriminating me because of my HIV/AIDS .After joining Eneredada I was provided  business skill training and a loan of 4000 birr .It was my long time dream to have my own weaving machine and produce traditional clothes. Before taking the loan I was making cloths on other people machine and get less money .However ,after getting the loan I now make four up to Ten  traditional cloths(Gabbi)per month and sell each with 800 birr .All the time I am busy with my weaving work .Taking in to account my costs ,I have now a monthly income of 800-1000 birr.In cases of any emergency I have a saving of birr 200 per month .You know what ! I am very healthy now and show my community that I can work .Had it not been Eneredada ,I would have been in grave .I always thank them for taking me out of the dark side of life and showed me the brighter world.

Welcome to the Bineredada Older People Bread and Injera Baking Association!

A group of 37older women and men initiated their own business endeavour, made possible through partnership between HelpAge International and its local partner, Eneredada Elder People Association (EEPA) with generous funds from Sweden/NORAD.

In the beginning, this group income generating activity involved the HelpAge partner, EEPA, in coordination with the Woreda (District) level women association identifying a number of 60+ people from the surrounding area. The criteria further included the older persons having no means of other support and and had the ability to support themselves through work from the district.

According to the former navy navigator and current general manager of the group, Getachew Solomon (72 years old), EEPA brought in experts from concerned district level government offices to provide tailor-made trainings on different topics – health, hygiene and how to manage small-scale business.
The group of 34 older women and 3 older men from five Kebeles in the district, was given a total loan of ETB 278,000 (USD$ 14256.41) as start-up capital. Once they legally registered with the Micro Finance Investment Agency, they purchased a heavy duty oven for baking bread, a heavy duty onion grinder, two injera ovens and other kitchen utensils required. In addition, renovation of the space given to then by the Kebele followed.

“This has project has brought us back to life through work. On behalf of, Bineredada Older People Bread and Injera Baking Association, I would like to extend my sincerest gratitude and appreciation to HelpAge, EEPA and the concerned government offices for investing and believing in us (older people) and making us believe that we have the power to change our lives through work. Thank you very much.” Said Getachew Solomon

Now, the association is providing its services to the community at full capacity. They prepare and sell a total of 1000 bread buns and 400 injeras every day. Some of their
customers are members of the community but they also have customers like the Ras Desta Hospital, local schools and hotels. The association makes more than ETB 100.000 (USD$ 5128.21) per month only on the bakery services. They further engage in onion grinding services and provide food and hot beverages at a fair price in their small.

This is truly a wonderful development! The older men and women continue to serve their communities and the local economy, all the while, they are making a good living allowing them to support better themselves and their families.

Abebech Beyene, 55 years old, member of group IGA
“About one year ago, my life changed. EEPA informed me of this group income generating activity project. They said they would train us, give us pooled loan thereby enabling us to make ends meet. I was hesitant at first, because I’ve heard of many similar projects failing. But I had nothing to loose so I joined. And to my surprise, we are working together and it is looking better everyday. I will never forget the first time when I got my New Year’s bonus of ETB 500 (USD$ 25.64). I have a job, I have friends and I have a source of livelihood. I feel much more independent and above all I am finally my own boss! ”

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Keterdadan Charcoal Production Elders Association

Keteredada Charcoal Production Elders Association has a total of 45 members comprised of 38 and 7 older women and men, respectively.  The older people received trainings that are believed to be vital for their beginning and success. EEPA brought in experts from concerned district level government offices to provide tailor-made trainings on different topics – health, hygiene and how to manage small-scale business. The group of 38 older women and 7 older men from the district were given a total loan of 132,000 (USD$ 6769.23)as start-up capital. A working place was secured for the group of older people to begin their endeavour through communications made with the local government officials,Right now the elders are working in shifts where the members have divided into three groups each with fifteen members.

They are highly engaged in producing readymade charcoal or ‘brikets’. They produce 250 ‘brikets’ per day and are sell one ‘bricket’ at a price of ETB 4.00 (USD$ 0.21).

Project Manager of EEPA displays ‘bricket’ explains how they’re made. to‘’ Sania Sani and H.E. Mrs SerawitSileshi from the Institution of the Ombudsman with H.E. Ambassador TirunehZena at the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2014 Workshop in June 2014.
Continuous technical assistance has been provided by the implementing agent, Eneredada Elder People Association and the local government (the working Woreda), this includes market chain facilitation through communicating with different stakeholders.

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