“It was like being born again”: Halefom’s transformation through the POTENTIAL Project

Halefom Berhe, 23, is a charming young man from Tsibet Kebele, Endamehoni Woreda of Tigray Region. He completed grade 10 four years ago but remained jobless until he was targeted for POTENTIAL project. Following this, he received ‘Positive Youth Development’, ‘Work ready Now!’ and ‘Be Your Own Boss’ trainings from the project.

Halefom says he knew nothing about leading a purposeful life prior to being targeted by POTENTIAL. He did not have a plan on how he should lead his life and did not think much about his future. He simply continued to live with his family as if he was a small child. He now says the trainings he received opened his eyes and made him think about opportunities around him to make his future better. Right after the trainings provided by USAID’s POTENTIAL Project run by Save the Children, Halefom took 10,000 Birr loan and, bought eight sheep to start a sheep rearing business. He also leased land and started producing ‘Ensosila’, potato and carrots. In addition, he was engaged in-group business. Halefom’s fiancé is also one of the beneficiaries of the project and had taken loan to open up a small restaurant in Maychew town. After eight months of running his business, the number of his sheep reached 18, and from his farm he generated and saved 13,000 Birr. He is also saving 400 Birr per month in the form of ‘equb’ (community saving scheme) and expects a big pay out of 20,000 Birr. He also has 10,000 Birr worth ‘ensosila’ ready for sale.

Halefom now has an asset in excess of 47,000 Birr. He proudly says he got here starting with nothing. However, his success goes beyond financial rewards. His financial independence meant greater change in the way his family lives.

Halefom concludes, “The trainings have woken me up from the purposeless life I was leading. Had it not been for POTENTIAL, I would never have taken the loan and started my businesses. It is like being born again”

Halefom plans to expand his business, open a big restaurant, and buy a “Bajaj” (three-wheeler taxi) to start a taxi business in Maychew town.