Empower Women as Poultry Health Champions

During March and April, our dedicated team of Community Vaccinators reached more than 9,300 households across the districts of Aleta Chuko and Aleta Wondo, vaccinating an incredible 75,200 village chickens. These campaigns help protect flocks from Newcastle Disease, giving families greater food security, stronger incomes and more resilient livelihoods.

Behind these numbers are passionate people like Yeshi, one of our experienced Community Vaccinators in Sidama.

When our team visited Ethiopia earlier this year, we had the privilege of spending time with Yeshi and seeing firsthand the difference she is making in her community. Yeshi has been a Community Vaccinator for more than five years, travelling between households to protect village flocks while sharing practical advice with poultry farmers.

It was an especially memorable visit because Yeshi had been featured on the front cover of Kyeema’s Annual Report last year. We were delighted to have a copy with us to present to her in person. Seeing her smile as she realised she was the cover star was a moment our team won’t soon forget.

Beyond her work as a vaccinator, Yeshi is also a farmer, mother and grandmother. She proudly showed us her own growing flock and shared how the program has helped create new opportunities for her family. She is also an active member of a local women’s savings group, helping encourage financial literacy and stronger futures for women and their families.

Meeting Yeshi was a wonderful reminder that this project is about far more than vaccinations. It’s about empowering local people with the knowledge, skills and confidence to become leaders in their communities, creating lasting change that continues long after each vaccination campaign is complete.

Thank you to everyone who continues to support this work. Every contribution helps Community Vaccinators like Yeshi protect more flocks, reach more families and strengthen livelihoods across rural Ethiopia.