Serving hope: Senait's recipe for youth empowerment in Ethiopia
“It has been a pleasure for me to grow up at SOS Children’s Villages Ethiopia; I am here today because I have been helped by others,” said Senait at the SOS Children's Villages Award ceremony. “It is my turn to return the favour.”
Senait was recently nominated as a finalist from over 100 contenders for the 2014 SOS Children's Villages Award for being an inspiration to others. Senait was only two years old when she was placed in a loving home at SOS Children’s Villages in Harar, eastern Ethiopia. She enjoyed stability, guidance, security and experienced a sense of belonging in the nurturing environment. Upon completing her education and a three-year clinical nursing course, Senait faced the harsh reality of Ethiopia, where youth continually struggle to find work.
After a year of persistent searching and coping with repeated rejection and false promises at health institutions, Senait decided to seek an opportunity outside her area of training; she settled on entrepreneurship in the hospitality industry. “I grew tired of looking for work, she said. “I decided to open a fast food shop so I could earn a living and also provide work for a few youth.”
Ethiopia is currently grappling with a high youth unemployment rate; official figures indicate that about 50 per cent of young people in the country are jobless. With a population of about 90 million, the country churns out about 150,000 graduates each year. The government is encouraging young people to start small to medium-sized enterprises and become self-employed to reduce the youth unemployment rate.
Senait opened the doors of ‘Senait Hermann Chips House’ in 2013, funded by her fiancé's start-up capital. She sold chips, beverages, bottled water and soft drinks. Later that year, Senait received a financial boost of US $3,057 from a sponsor. She was only allowed to spend US $815, and the remainder was deposited into her savings account that would be accessible when she turned 24.
With the financial investment, Senait has expanded her business to include meals and snacks. “This upgrade has attracted more customers and my profit margin has grown,” she said. “I have also been able to employ two young people from SOS Children’s Village Harar.”
For her success and innovation, the 22-year-old has become a role model for other youth in Ethiopia. The SOS Children’s Villages and surrounding communities are using her as a case study to encourage other young people to take a similar route.
“I am proud of my achievements, but I am mostly pleased with my business. This is just the beginning,” she said.
Canadian's wishing to support SOS Children's Villages are encouraged to sponsor a child, sponsor a village or to make a direct donation. Your support ensures that SOS Children's Villages can continue to provide a safe and loving home to orphan and abandoned children worldwide.