A group of hard-working women in Ethiopia are starting an exciting new business project and changing views about women’s roles in their community. And it’s all about getting their hands dirty!

40 women are on the verge of their first ginger crop, and it’s because of donors like you! Two SHE groups have a new business venture.  And they are breaking down barriers!

The women have learned important skills like basic business accounting, savings, life skills, and income-generating activities. After a few years of working in the market they have gained a lot of experience and expertise. Now, these 40 women decided to come together and tackle a new project together.

With knowledge and financial support, the Lemlem and Selam SHE groups decided to invest in a ginger farming project together. They pooled their money to spend 52,000 ETB (over $1,100 USD) to plant ginger on a shared farm plot this year. This is an exciting investment, and it’s a HUGE step for these hard-working moms. Smiling, they shared, “We are READY!”

The women made a major upfront investment of 39,600 ETB ($708 USD) just for the ginger seed. They also spent 17,000 ETB ($303 USD) on fertilizers and pesticides. Then, they rented a plot of land that has good soil and is located in their village. The women managed these expenses by using money from their SHE group low cost loans as well as their own diligent weekly savings over the past two and a half years.

Preparing and planting the farmland with the ginger.

If their ginger crop goes well, the 40 women will harvest ginger to sell and split the profits. The really cool part is that this farming project is also helping to change traditional attitudes about women in the community.

It’s the first time women’s groups are doing direct farming activities like plowing with oxen in this area,” said Roots Ethiopia staff. “This shows the community that women can improve their lives, make decisions, challenge stereotypes, and become models of confidence.

Members like Daselech and Aster know their success comes from loving support of donors like you. “Roots Ethiopia helped us by putting us in groups and providing trainings,” Daselech said. “With my share of the ginger profit next year, I’ll be able to buy school supplies for my children. Life will be better for us!”

Aster added, “I’m thankful for support with this ginger project from people who believe in us. Next year the profit will help me afford nutritious food and school materials so my children don’t leave school. They won’t have to be children who have to work. They will be children who can go to school. I am willing to work hard on our farm for my children to go to school.”

Your generous gifts are opening up new business opportunities for these entrepreneurial women while empowering them to defy expectations about gender roles. Because of you, they are gaining crucial business skills, access to funds, and the confidence to improve life for their families and reshape their community’s attitudes.

You can help moms just like these moms with a gift of support (And maybe you’ll be supporting barrier breakers too!). If you would prefer to give tax-advantaged stock, you can do that here on our stock donation page.

(For other ways to give, please visit our Ways To Give page!)