December 20, 2013 Ethiopia

Pottery in Ethiopia

Since 2011, Caritas CR has been helping beekeepers and local potters in Ethiopa by increasing the possibilities for gaining an income for themselves and their families. Support for their activities is coming to an end however and in the future they will be forced to produce pottery entirely alone.

Thanks to a project financed by the Czech Development Agency, Caritas CR will support the establishment of three groups of twenty farmers (called cooperatives), amongst others. This includes, for example, a beekeeping group and a women's association for pottery which was also created. In each of these groups are 50 Ethiopian women.

Members of the association were trained first in the manufacture of energy saving stoves “gonzie”. Unfortunately however, it turned out that in the entire area these stoves were designed inappropriately. The women claimed that the heaters don’t achieve the same efficiency of wood, as they rightly should. Together with experts from the relevant authorities, it was therefore decided to correct this problem and for women's groups to undergo a new training program.

Caritas CR started supporting local women two years ago. The poorest women in the villages have been given goats which breed and create further funds for their families. With their earnings every woman must then contribute to a common fund for the provision of goats for other households. In this way, women from the first wave are able to return their borrowed funds and thus support a second group of women. One of the women from the second wave of support is Adana, who can be seen in the photo.