Possibilities abound
“It has been a pleasure for me to grow up in an SOS Children’s Village; I am here today because I have been helped by others,” said Senait at the Hermann Gmeiner Award ceremony. “It is my turn to return the favour.”
Senait was recently nominated as a finalist from over 100 contenders for the 2014 Hermann Gmeiner Award for being an inspiration to others. Senait was only two years old when she joined a loving home in SOS Children’s Villages Harar in eastern Ethiopia. She enjoyed stability, guidance, security and experienced a sense of belonging in the nurturing environment. Upon completing her education and a three year clinical nursing course, Senait faced the harsh reality of Ethiopia where youth continually struggle to find work.
After persistently searching for a year and coping with repeated rejection and false promises in health institutions, Senait decided to look for opportunity outside her area of training; she settled for entrepreneurship in the hospitality industry. “I grew tired of looking for work, she said. “I decided to open a fast food shop so I could earn a living and also provide work for a few youth.”
Ethiopia is currently grappling with a high youth unemployment rate; official figures indicate that about 50 per cent of young people in the country are jobless. With a population of about 90 million people, the country churns out close to 150,000 graduates every year. The government is encouraging young people to start small to medium-size enterprises to become self-employed in order to reduce the youth unemployment rate.
Senait opened the doors of ‘Senait Hermann Chips House’ in 2013 after her fiancé to be gave her the start-up capital. She sold chips, beverages, bottled water and soft drinks. Later that year, Senait received a financial boost of US $3,057 from a sponsor. She was only allowed to spend US $815 and the remainder was deposited into her savings account that would be accessible when she turned 24.
With the financial investment, Senait has expanded her business to include meals and snacks. “This upgrade has attracted more customers and my profit margin has grown,” she said. “I have also been able to employ two young people from SOS Children’s Village Harar.”
For her success and innovation, the 22-year-old has become a role model for other youth in Ethiopia. The SOS Children’s Villages and surrounding communities are using her as a case study to encourage other young people to take a similar route.
“I am proud of my achievements but I am mostly pleased with my business. This is just the beginning,” she said.
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