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ESHETU and ZELEKA
Eshetu, 56, and his wife Zeleka, 45, farm 2 hectares of land. Zeleka is a SUNARMA group member. As part of the project she has received a fuel saving stove and is working hard to cut down the amount of animal dung used as fuel in their household so that more can be used for cultivation purposes. In this area it is a status symbol and an indication of wealth for women to have large dung stores, it is a real challenge for women to resist such societal pressures. Zeleka grows vegetables in neat raised beds around the family compound, this includes varieties of vegetable which were not previously grown in the area such as potato and swiss chard. Such vegetables help to diversify the normal diet and also act as an extra source of income for the family. Zeleka takes great pride in her home and has decorated the house with murals.
Although the SUNARMA project focuses on women it encourages the whole family to get involved in activities. Zeleka's husband Eshetu has grasped this opportunity with both hands and has made the most of SUNARMA training which encourages diversification and innovation. Currently he is conducting research into crop types, including varieties which prevent water logging and soil erosion. In order to combat the problem of deforestation he has constructed organic fences on his land using turf and cactus rather than wood. He has also embarked on a water harvesting project which includes the construction of a well on his land which can be used for small scale irrigation and to try and combat the effects of drought during the dry season. Such innovations are essential for this area as extreme weather events are likely to continue. Eshetu and Zeleka have a son, Shimelis, who attends Addis Ababa University. He is the only young person in the immediate area to go to University. He takes a great interest in the SUNARMA project and his parents activities and hopes to be able to help people in the area in the future.
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Sunarma is a charity registered in the UK (Charity number 1093680).