Ethiopia
Overview
Poverty in Ethiopia is widespread.
The majority of people depend on farming for their livelihood, yet Ethiopia’s agriculture is plagued by recurring drought, deforestation, poor infrastructure, and an increasing population – causing severe food shortages.
Quick Facts
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Ethiopia ranks 173 out of 189 in the 2019 UN Development Index
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farmers trained in agriculture
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individuals enrolled in savings groups
Our Projects
Through Tearfund, your donations are helping to solve the hunger challenge by providing training in agriculture and savings to thousands of families. This means that they can increase their crop output while growing their small incomes in order to start new businesses, purchase seeds and tools, and pay school fees.
You will be working to empower churches through church-based community transformation to help them spread the gospel in a holistic way – lifting people out of physical and spiritual poverty and transforming their communities.
Project 1
Kucha Project
Problem
Faced with immense physical and spiritual needs around them, Ethiopian churches are eager to respond. Hunger is a perpetual problem, with many families struggling to eat more than one meal a day 5-6 months out of the year.
Challenges
With limited theological training and no technical education, churches struggled to know where to start.
Activities
Church pastors and leaders engaged Tearfund’s church-based community transformation approach, participating in Bible studies and workshops to learn more about holistic mission and God’s mandate for them. They were trained in conservation agriculture techniques, savings groups, and natural resource management to help them ensure sustainable development of their communities.
Details
- Location: Kucha, Ethiopia
- Timeframe: October 2019 – November 2020
- Funding needed: $15,107.50
Outcome
Twenty local churches were mobilized and equipped to meet the needs around them, helping their communities escape physical and spiritual poverty. Farmers were also able to grow more crops to feed their families.
Project 2
Zala Food Security and Women’s Empowerment
Problem
Faced with immense physical and spiritual needs around them, Ethiopian churches are eager to respond. Hunger is a perpetual problem, with many families struggling to eat more than one meal a day 5-6 months out of the year.
Challenges
There is food insecurity in the region due to a high population, environmental degradation, deforestation, recurring drought, and soil erosion. In addition, lack of access to good seeds and other farming inputs have significantly reduced crop output. Farmers also struggle with post-harvest losses from pests and mold.
Activities
Church pastors and leaders will engage Tearfund’s church-based community transformation approach, participating in Bible studies and workshops to learn more about holistic mission and God’s mandate for them. They will be trained in conservation agriculture techniques, savings groups, and natural resource management to help them ensure sustainable development of their communities.
Project Details
- Location: Zala Woreda Region
- Timeframe: December 2019 – November 2022
- Total Budget: $600,000
Outcome
Approximately 9,065 individuals will be more food secure and on a sustainable path out of poverty.
Project 3
Food Security and Livelihoods
Problem
Faced with immense physical and spiritual needs around them, Ethiopian churches are eager to respond. Hunger is a perpetual problem, with many families struggling to eat more than one meal a day 5-6 months out of the year.
Challenges
There is food insecurity in the region due to a high population, environmental degradation, deforestation, recurring drought, and soil erosion. Much of the crop grown is lost due to inefficient market practices, and population pressures (coupled with limited employment opportunities) make it difficult for farmers to find alternative work.
Activities
Church pastors and leaders will engage Tearfund’s church-based community transformation approach, participating in Bible studies and workshops to learn more about holistic mission and God’s mandate for them. They will be trained in conservation agriculture techniques, savings groups, and women's empowerment to help them ensure sustainable development of their communities.
Project Details
- Location: Hobicha
- Timeframe: March 2021 – February 2024
- Total Budget: $600,000
Outcome
27 local churches will be mobilized and equipped to meet the needs around them, helping their communities escape physical and spiritual poverty. Farmers will be able to grow more crops to feed their families and increase their income. Communities will become more climate resilient and women will be empowered.
Project 4
Mekele Emergency Food Aid
Problem
Civil war in Tigray has caused millions of families to flee for their lives. Two million people have already fled as refugees to neighbouring Sudan or to other places within Ethiopia.
Challenges
The conflict is particularly brutal. Starvation and rape are being used as weapons of war. In a place where there was already food insecurity, an estimated 90% of families are now on the brink of starvation. Families left everything behind, and now they lack health care, water, sanitation, and food.
Activities
Tearfund is on the frontlines, helping the most vulnerable families (including children-headed households, widows, young mothers, the elderly, and those living with disabilities). This project aims at providing emergency food packages to those who are critically hungry. Each basket contains rice, flour, beans and cooking oil, which will last a family of five for 2 months. Nutritional supplements will be provided for pregnant women, lactating women, and children under 5.
Project Details
- Location: Mekele City
- Timeframe: May 2021 – September 2021
- Total Budget: $575, 122
Outcome
9,000 vulnerable families will have enough food to eat at least three meals a day for two months.
Stories of Transformation
Beautiful things from dust
Looking over his dusty field, Wolde remembered a time where his family’s 30 acre farm was lush and vibrant. But inheriting land split between his siblings meant that his farm was both limited and overworked. Six months a year were marked with hunger, with only one meal per day to sustain him and his family.
The Trailblazer
For years her neighbours didn’t think she could amount to anything. As a widow and mother of 6, Felekesh had toiled on her farm day and night to feed her children. But then everything changed.
God's Every Blessing
Amarech clung to hope and determiningation, knowing there had to be a way to improve her crops in the hilly village of Chifisa, Ethiopia. Despite poor soil due to over-tillage and 9 months of drought, she believed that her farm could be a success. Hearing about conservation Agriculture changed everything.
Partners
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