Once a vagabond, now a businessman

Solomon Hayelom, 23, had almost given up on getting a decent job or starting a small business. He was among the hundreds of secondary school graduates, but unemployed youth in Simret Kebele, Endamehoni Wereda of Tigray Region. With a small stipend from his older brother in Addis, he spent his days wondering the streets of Maychew town.

He saw hope for better future when POTENTIAL project enrolled him in Positive Youth Development, Work Ready Now and Be Your Own Boss trainings that helped him find a new purpose in his life. “I was not aware that there were such business opportunities around me and I was not ready to do business particularly in farming,” he said, “After the trainings, I took 30,000 Birr loan from Dedebit Saving and Credit Institution, and bought a cow and six sheep, and started rearing. I also rented land and started producing cereals and vegetables through irrigation.”

Solomon is very satisfied with the change he has seen in his business. His cow is close to giving him a calf, he got two new sheep, generated more than 10,000 Birr by selling his products, and he has vegetables ready for sale for more than 1,500 Birr. In addition to this, he has paid back 4,500 Birr of his loan as per the payment schedule. He also saves 450 Birr a month in the form of ‘equb’ (local saving scheme) and will collect 30,000 Birr as a big pay-out. With all his success his asset has now exceeded 52,000 Birr. He says he highly values the labour market information he has been regularly receiving from POTENTIAL.

For Solomon, the most significant change, however, is the work culture he has developed through POTENTIAL. He proudly says, “I was known as a vagabond in my village. Because of this, no one, including my own family expected I would be in this position. However, here I am, supporting my younger brothers and being a role model for my peers in the Kebele.

Solomon says, “When I first took the loan, I thought 30,000 is a lot of money and difficult to pay back. Now, I am negotiating to access up to 80,000 Birr of loan.” With this hope, Solomon is conducting a market assessment to start new businesses. He concludes, “I am now a man with grand vision, and I am sure you will see me in a better position within a year.”