‘‘I assumed I needed a lot of money to start something meaningful. But now I’m able to develop business plans and to manage my finances more prudently,’’ she says.īut the biggest discovery she has made from the training is the power of small money. I was impulsive in my expenditure before. “ One of the elements taught in the course is financial literacy. It is Addis’ involvement in the programme that would change the trajectory of her life for better. Supported by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland through Fairtrade Finland, and ALDI UK, the programme works to empower female flower farm workers in different areas of their lives such as leadership and business. Like every girl in her community, Addis was destined for this life.Ī former employee of Sher Flowers, Addis had worked here for five years since 2014 when she was selected as one of the women to participate in the Women’s School of Leadership. Rural women, especially, remain peasants all their lives. In this patriarchal society, women are economically marginalized. In her home region, poverty, illiteracy and insecurity are rife.
The 2019 graduate of Fairtrade’s Women’s School of Leadership says her transformation in the last two years is as unbelievable as it is enormous.Īddis, 28, grew up in the southern part of central Ethiopia in the Oromia region. Looking back at her life inspires both awe and disbelief in Addis Petros.
