By Linda Whitmore | Project Leader
Worknesh Wade, a 38 year-old female weaver from Chencha, is a current beneficiary of MEDA’s EDGET (Ethiopians Driving Growth through Entrepreneurship and Trade) project thanks to generous donors like you!
When Worknesh moved to Addis Ababa a few years ago, she relied on her elder sister’s family for financial support as she earned only a meager income from spinning cotton into thread and winding it onto spools. Today, thanks to EDGET (and you!), she now works as a weaver. Worknesh and her husband, a part-time weaver, are now able to support their daughter together thanks to the training and support that gifts like yours make possible.
Discover how Worknesh became a successful businesswoman in a male-dominated industry – click here to learn how and to see her in action!
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Q&A with Worknesh
MEDA field staff sat down with Worknesh to ask her about how her weaving skills have improved and to hear about the growth she’s experienced in her business since joining EDGET. We hope you enjoy this unique opportunity to hear directly from Worknesh about how the project has helped her to become a successful entrepreneur.
What did you gain from the basic business skills capacity training?
“The training has been very important for me. Since most of my time was spent on making products, I didn’t have much experience communicating with customers. But I have learned how to interact with customers and applied my new skills during exhibitions and when working with designers. The training encouraged me not to limit myself to one role, but to take on multiple roles in order to move out of poverty and improve my family’s livelihood.”
How have the connections with the Addis Ababa-based designers helped?
“I have widened my weaving knowledge by directly communicating with designers. Designers are introducing different designs as a result.”
What has the additional business from improved access to local markets meant for you?
“By being part of the project, I got a chance to participate in different fashion exhibitions and bazaars for the first time in my life. I have benefited in selling products and distribution of my business cards to people who visited my booth. From the profits I earned from exhibitions and bazaars so far, I built a house with three rooms in my home town of Chencha.”
What have you gained from design training with Miracle Design Fashion Institution?
“When I was selected for this design training opportunity, I was excited that I would have the chance to become a better educated and trained designer. Since I have started providing readymade clothes in exhibitions, being part of the designing school helped me. I order products differently by adjusting the color and the design. I started to give attention to the colors – what people like and dislike. I attentively watch people’s clothing colors everywhere I go and use those observations when I design textiles. This is the secret why people love the color of my products.“
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Worknesh Wade demonstrates that weaving does not have to remain a male- dominated role in Ethiopia. As women gain more skills and knowledge surrounding weaving practices, their potential in the industry has and will continue to grow. Worknesh exemplifies success for EDGET – she is now a confident and empowered businesswoman, with a greater ambition to open her own hand woven textile shop in the future.
See how you have changed the life of women and men like Worknesh? We thank you once again for investing in their promising futures. Without you, our work would not be possible!
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