From limitation to liberation through Beekeeping and Livestock Farming, the story of a young woman

 Zaritu Gilete tending to her thriving beehive and sheep in Amhara Saynt. October 20, 2025

Zaritu Gilete Mekonen, a 26-year-old woman from 01 Kebele, Amhara Saynt, has demonstrated remarkable determination in overcoming the challenges of living with a physical disability. Despite obstacles that once limited her opportunities, she has started a new journey toward independence through beekeeping and livestock farming.

Growing up with a physical disability in her leg, Zaritu often struggled to continue her education and participate in income-generating activities.
“I used to walk three hours to cover the distance to a school that my friends traveled in thirty minutes,” she recalls. “My mother couldn’t afford to rent a small house near the school, as other parents did to support their children’s education.”                              

Life became even more difficult after a fall injured her hand. The unsafe village terrain made movement risky, eventually forcing her to drop out of school in 2024.
“I was sad that my nine years of education were in vain,” she said softly. “There was no one to advise me or support me financially. My relatives had left for distant places in search of work. I felt lost — until I was told about the MaYEA Program.”

 The Intervention

Zaritu joined the MaYEA Program, implemented by ORDA Ethiopia in the Akesta Cluster in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation. Through this program, she received hands-on training in beekeeping, livestock fattening, poultry farming, and related agricultural value chain activities.

“When the kebele chief told me about the training, I thought he was going to give me money,” Zaritu said with a smile. “If they had just given me money, I would have bought chickens and sheep for my backyard. But what I gained from the training was far greater than money — I gained knowledge, skills, and confidence.”

Motivated to apply what she learned, Zaritu raised 7,000 ETB from relatives and friends to build a transitional hive and start her beekeeping journey. Later, through the MaYEA-supported digital financing initiative, she accessed a loan of 85,600 ETB — initially receiving 20,000 ETB in two rounds due to temporary cash shortages. She supplemented this with 5,000 ETB borrowed from a relative. With this money, she purchased five rams worth 25,000 ETB and plans to use the remaining balance for feed and additional livestock once the full loan is disbursed.

The Results

Zaritu’s efforts are already bearing fruit. Her first fully stocked hive is thriving, and she expects to harvest around 24 kilograms of honey in the November–December 2025 beekeeping season. The sheep fattening is also showing promising results.

“I can see that the sheep are gaining weight and the hive is flourishing. These are early signs of profit and stability,” says Zaritu proudly.         

Although her disability once limited her opportunities, Zaritu’s story is a powerful reminder that with the right support, training, and perseverance, barriers can become stepping stones.

“Although my physical disabilities prevented me from continuing my schooling,” she concludes, “it did not deprive me of the opportunity offered by the MaYEA program. Now, I can earn my own income and plan for my future with confidence.”

The MaYEA program is implemented by ORDA Ethiopia, icipe, and IIRR in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation.