Passing on Purpose

 “It wasn’t just about raising chickens – it was about standing on my own.”

– Almaz Hobasa

In one of Ethiopia’s newest regional states, the Sidama region, known for its world-renowned coffee and vibrant culture, change is hatching. Almaz Hobasa, a smallholder farmer from the region’s Shebedino district, remembers the day her life took a new direction. “I was so excited that the project sees women,” she said, reflecting on the moment she received her first chickens through Heifer’s Enhancing Livelihoods of Smallholders through Improved Poultry Business (ELSIPB) project.

The chicken business that Almaz started with the help of Heifer Ethiopia meant more than just the promise of eggs and chicks. For Almaz, they represented hope, pride, and a new sense of purpose.

A Vision Takes Root

Since its launch in December 2024, the ELSIPB project has reached over 2,400 egg-producing households and helped establish 50 chicken-producing groups in Ethiopia impacting more than 100 chicken-grower members so far to a more inclusive and responsive poultry business. With a goal to reach 70,000 households across four regions by 2027, the project focuses on those often left behind in formal agricultural systems: women and youth.

Almaz is one of them. “When I received the chickens and training, I knew it wasn’t just about poultry. It was about creating a future for myself,” she shared.

Though her chickens haven’t started laying yet, Almaz is already preparing to grow her flock. Her goal? A 300-chicken poultry business that can feed her family, lift her income, and inspire others around her.

The Power of Passing It On

At the heart of the ELSIPB project is the Passing on the Gift model that encourages project participants to share what they’ve received – chicks, feed, knowledge and skills, and support – with others in their community.

Inspired by this model, Almaz plans to pass 10 chickens to other women in her village. “I want others to feel what I feel now,” she said. “Not just pride, but purpose.”

This community-based model ensures the impact doesn’t stop with one household; it multiplies, empowering families, strengthening rural economies, and promoting sustainable change.

The Impact

Since the project’s inception, it has facilitated access to 68,650 chicks and 145 tons of poultry feed, empowering farmers like Almaz to establish their businesses. Ultimately, the project aims to increase household income by 35%, while fostering long-term food security and resilience.

Almaz’s journey embodies the essence of what Heifer stands for. It’s about creating opportunities where there were none. It’s about dignity through livelihood. Above all, it’s about transformation—one chicken, one woman, and one village at a time.