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.