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Yenenesh Molla is 70-years'-old and lives in Addis Ababa in Ethiopia with her two surrogate grandchildren. Yenenesh was once married, but after discovering she could not have her own children, her husband re-married and had seven children.
Yenenesh Molla, 70-years'-old from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, stands outside her front door. She is locally known as a firewood tycoon, having received essential business training and financial assistance from Trócaire and Irish Aid. Through selling firewood, she is now able to support her family and provide a stable future for her children. Photo: Barnaby Jaco Skinner
Yenenesh is a member of a local group for at-risk women which was visited by Cafod, Sciaf, Trócaire and Timret Le Hiwot (CST/TLH). With funding from Irish Aid, CST/TLH offered Yenenesh a loan of 3000 birr (€55) to finance her interest in making and selling Injera, a soured Ethiopian bread that is a staple of Ethiopian diet.
Yenenesh soon sold enough Injera to pay back the loan, and took out another loan to expand further. She became very popular in her location and had enough orders that she did not need to sell on the street, she could make the bread at home and deliver to her customers.
Yenenesh received additional business training and decided to branch out into the firewood business. Whilst Injera sold well, she had a lot of competition that drove down the price, but there was very little competition for selling firewood, a material she had to either collect herself or buy at a premium. Yenenesh realised she could sell firewood too, securing her name as the ‘Firewood Tycoon’.
She took another loan from CST/TLH and purchased firewood which she stored in her yard. Now, she buys firewood weekly in bulk and has stopped taking on new customers for her Injera business – she no longer has the time or need! The firewood sells for a good profit and provides a more stable income than the Injera business for her large family.
Yenenesh Molla stands next to her horde of firewood. Photo: Barnaby Jaco Skinner.
“I used to complain a lot about life to God, but he didn’t answer for some time which made me very sad,” Yenenesh said.
“I’m now satisfied I can provide for my family, even making enough money to send my grandchildren to school.”
Yenenesh now dreams that she will be able to provide a better future for her family.
“I will pass my business down to my children and their children. Their future will be better. My time is now with God.”
“I would like to thank the people of Ireland and the Irish Government for helping me and my family. We feel so supported because of you. My children can now eat, go to school, and have their needs cared for because of your generosity.”
