Script:
For millennia, the legendary Ethiopian wine called “Tej” (tey-ya), has been made from honey and these organic hops known as “gesho” (gay’-sho) found only in the highlands of Ethiopia.
In a small market in Addis Ababa, 70-year-old Chaltu carries on the tradition, in her new business selling dried gesho leaves.
Chaltu Hassen, Micro Entrepreneur
What I’m doing makes me happy. It’s enough for me.
But how Chaltu got here is anything but traditional. Most of her life has been spent on the streets begging. And worse: Chaltu was infected with Hansen’s disease – leprosy, when she was a girl. The result: she’s been discriminated against, her entire life.
Berke Negatu, General Manager, Ethiopian National Association of Ex-Leprosy Patients (ENAELP)
More than anything, victims of leprosy have to fight against becoming isolated from the rest of society. Many people still believe that the disease is a curse from God, that it's fate or a punishment. This is why life for people with leprosy remains so difficult.
But it’s not only her disability. Like so many women around the world, as Chaltu got older, the chances to change her situation diminished. According to the International Labour Organization the disadvantages and the discrimination pile up as women age: finding a reliable means of support, especially a meaningful job becomes more difficult.
Chaltu was determined to change her life for the better. The opportunity came a few years ago, when she heard about a new training program supported by the ILO Irish Aid Partnership Programme called “Improve your Business.” Despite her advanced age, she was offered a place on the training programme.
Fantahun Melles, National Program Coordinator, ILO Irish Aid Partnership Program
By training entrepreneurs with IYB - Improve your Business skills, we let them understand effective business management skills, better marketing knowledge, and production planning, financial management and stuff like that.
Chaltu Hassen
The training was very important to me, I would have liked to have done even more! It has made a difference to my life. Before I was a beggar, now I am running my own business.
After the training, Chaltu got a micro-loan to build her business. She started shopping around: getting better prices for gesho, and built up her savings. Within a year she paid off the loan.
Fantahun Melles
Well Chaltu is special, in that she has broken the shackles of poverty through commitment, hard work and determination. Firstly she is an ex-beggar, secondly she is a disabled woman – an ex-leprosy patient, and thirdly as you have seen her, she is a very old woman. But all these things have not deterred her from going into business.
Late in her life, Chaltu has learned something new that changed everything. Now she eats three meals a day, pays the rent, helps pay for her grandchildren’s education, and puts aside some savings for the future. And most importantly for Chaltu, she did it herself.
Chaltu Hassen
I have been saved from being in the street and totally dependent on others. Now I can depend on myself. I can sell what I have, and I can live on it.