Almaz*, a 31-year-old mother of two, was among the many families displaced by conflict. Forced to flee her home, she arrived in Sekota with her children after leaving behind all of the family’s assets, property, and personal belongings. Like many temporarily displaced persons, she faced severe economic hardship and struggled to meet her family’s most basic needs.
Without a stable source of income, livelihood assets, or savings, Almaz* found it extremely difficult to provide adequate food, clothing, and educational materials for her children. The family’s vulnerability increased as displacement disrupted their normal way of life and limited their access to essential services and economic opportunities.
The impact on her children was particularly concerning. Unable to afford school-related expenses, the children dropped out of school and spent much of their time engaged in labor activities to help support the family.
Although Almaz* wanted to provide a better future for her children, the lack of income-generating opportunities and the challenges associated with displacement left her feeling hopeless and unable to meet her children’s immediate needs.
Through the Joining Forces for Food Security and Child Protection in Emergencies (JF-FS&CPIE) Consortium Project, funded by the German Federal Foreign Office (GFFO), Save the Children provided integrated livelihood and child protection support to vulnerable households affected by conflict and drought.
Following a vulnerability assessment, Almaz* was selected as a participant of the project’s Income-Generating Activities (IGA) Program. She received ETB 30,000 (160 euros) in start-up capital, along with practical training in small business management, financial literacy, food security, and child protection. Using the knowledge and resources provided through the project, she established a small-scale goat-rearing business.
In addition to livelihood assistance, Almaz* participated in Positive Parenting Without Violence sessions, which focused on child rights, child protection risks, positive caregiving practices, and the importance of education and protection for children.
Her children also benefited from integrated child protection services, including life skills education, psychosocial support activities, child-friendly recreational activities, play-based literacy and numeracy sessions, and the distribution of non-food items, clothing, and scholastic materials. These interventions helped improve their emotional well-being, learning opportunities, and social interaction with peers.
The integrated support provided through the JF-FS&CPIE Project significantly improved the living conditions of Almaz* and her children. Through her goat-rearing business, she established a reliable source of income and became better equipped to meet her family’s daily needs. The business enabled her to provide fresh milk for her children and purchase sufficient food to improve household nutrition.
Today, the family is more stable, resilient, and better able to cope with any challenges. Almaz*’s story demonstrates how strengthening household livelihoods and parenting capacities can help protect children, reduce harmful coping mechanisms, and create opportunities for a brighter future.
Reflecting on the support, Almaz* shared:
“After facing many hardships over the past years, I am now living a more stable and improved life, and I feel very happy. I used to worry every day about how I would feed my children and meet their basic needs. Today, I can support my family, my children have returned to school, and I have hope for the future. This project did more than provide assistance, it helped me rebuild my life and become the parent I always wanted to be. I am grateful for the opportunity to create a better future for my children.”
*Not her real name.
This publication was produced with the financial support of the German Humanitarian Assistance
Its contents are the sole responsibility of Joining Forces and do not necessarily reflect the views of the German Humanitarian Assistance.