Seeds of Hope
Transforming lives through the child grant in Sidama region
Shebedino District in Ethiopia's Sidama region is well known for its fertile highlands and diverse communities. It’s rich agricultural landscape and vibrant cultural heritage makes it a pivotal area in the region. Shebedino is one of the regions covered by the Seqota Declaration, an Ethiopian government initiative designed to combat child stunting and enhance nutrition nationwide. Funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and supported by UNICEF, this initiative aims to support households with pregnant women and children through cash transfers and comprehensive support services. To explore the impact of this support, we asked two mothers about their experience and how they have managed to bring a positive change in their lives.
Thanks to the support, I’ve regained hope.
Meretu Muluneh lives with her husband, Temesgen Simon, who works as a motorcycle driver and earns between ETB 200 to 400 per week. For Meretu, providing three meals a day for her family was very challenging. As a result, they often ate only once a day or occasionally twice. When she got pregnant as a first-time mother, she was worried about her financial struggles and how she would raise her child.
From eating nutritious food to ensuring a safe delivery, Meretu had many concerns. "During pregnancy, I had cravings, but I couldn't even feed my unborn child properly as I only manage to eat one meal a day,” says Meretu. To secure a better future for her child, she decided to work during her pregnancy.
After receiving cash support, she used the money to improve her life. She bought five chickens and one goat. She used the goat's milk and the egg from the chicken to enhance her nutrition while selling the surplus to increase their monthly income. Meretu explained how the cash transfer helped her family stating, “Thanks to the support, I bought chickens and planted seeds, which helped me provide three meals a day for myself and my family. I’ve regained hope." Now, Meretu wants to focus on saving and investing for her child's future.
Similar to Meretu, Mihret Batire, 25, a mother of three, struggled to make ends meet. Her husband earned only about ETB 100 per week, making it difficult to care for their three children. To manage their expenses, they had accumulated a significant amount of debt. Mihret said, “Having a proper meal throughout the day was very hard, and we often had coffee with bread.”
Sending her children to school and managing their expenses was another challenge. But the support made a difference. She said, “Thanks to the support, I can buy oil, cabbage, and other food items to feed my family. I have also bought a goat and chicken, from which I can get milk and eggs.”
The cash support has improved her children’s nutritional status, covered immediate expenses, paid off their debt, and allowed them to live a decent life. “Nowadays, not only do we eat properly, but we also make sure to incorporate the food for more nutritional benefits. For the future, I want to buy a cow, which will help me with home consumption of milk and income generation,” said Mihret holding her baby in her arms.
Thanks to the generous funding of FCDO and the technical support from UNICEF, the Child Grant has impacted over 1,400 households in Sidama. By focusing on nutrition and strengthening household resilience through cash assistance and connections to a wide range of services, this initiative equips families like Meretu and Mihret with the resources they need to thrive.
