Dama in her shop, which has helped her be more able to support herself and her four children in the face of drought. © CARE /Audree MontpetitDama Godona is a single mother and animal herder who lives in a southern Ethiopian region affected by the current east African drought. But her story differs from that of many of her neighbours thanks to having also become a shop keeper, using loans from a CARE project.
Consecutive failed rains in the Borena region, where she lives, did not provide enough water to sustain the cattle of the region’s animal herders. Having lost seven out of her 17 cattle, Dama used all of her savings to purchase animal feed and water for her livestock. She plans to sell another six to buy more cereals, animal feed, and water.
The people of Borena depend on their cattle, goats, sheep and camels. Due to the drought many have died, leaving people without assets or any source of income.
What people need most
CARE has conducted focus groups with men and women in the region, to learn how to best address people’s needs. 43-year old Dama stands out from the rest of the group. She exudes confidence. She has also experienced hardship in her life. Her husband died in a car accident. Since then she has taken care of her four children alone.
Dama leads the discussion, speaking out on behalf of her community. She clearly outlines what they need now in order to adapt to drought. Asked what their most important needs are, Dama states food for their families, animal feed and increased access to water, but also support for Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs).
Through CARE’s Regional Reliance Enhancement Against Drought (RREAD) project she took out two loans of about £70 each through a VSLA over the last four years. With them she bought emaciated cattle at a low price, fattened them up and sold them for a profit. With this profit she was able to open a small road side shop.
Since opening the shop she has paid off her loans. She is now head of the association which helped her protect her assets and care for her family. Dama’s position as both an animal herder and a shop keeper makes her quite unique in this region.
Diversifying works
Dama clearly sees the advantage of diversifying her work. She urges others in her community to follow her example. “It is important to diversify ones livelihood in order be less affected by droughts,” the 43-year old says. In her eyes, diversification decreases risks and increases opportunities.
While Dama is affected by the current drought she is able to use her second source of income to maintain her cattle and take care of her family. Dama proudly states, “I am not dependent on cattle because I have a shop.”
Dama shows that prevention is the way to help individuals in times of drought. Increasing an individual’s ability to work in a variety of ways can spur entrepreneurship, create employment, generate income and ultimately empower that individual.
Additionally, her story shows that when Village Savings and Loan Associations are used correctly they can help people provide for their families and reduce vulnerabilities associated with drought. Hopefully, Dama’s example will not be so unique in the near future.
Please give now to help support long term projects and immediate relief in east Africa.
Longer term work
In addition to our immediate response in the face of this current food crisis CARE International emphasises the need to tackle the long-term, underlying causes of poverty. We have been present in the region for over 25 years and are helping families to break the cycle of hunger and to adapt to the changing climate and recurring droughts.
Our ongoing work in the region includes:
- Maintenance, protection and development of water points and wells.
- Working with women in Mandera, Kenya to revive traditional food preservation techniques.
- Vaccination of animals to prevent diseases breaking out as they congregate at remaining water points.
- Helping families have more consistent sources of income by supporting them in diversifying their work.
Read more stories from the East Africa Food Crisis:
Staff blog: Sabine Wilke, Emergency Media Officer in Dadaab - 12 August
Video: East Africa Crisis - CARE's response - 12 August
Slideshow: Dadaab refugee camp - 12 August
Somalia to Dadaab: a journey filled with danger - 10 August
Somalia: famine declared in three additional regions of South-Central - 5 August
Ethiopia: in a drought prevention pays - 26 July 2011
Staff Blog: Confusion and waiting in Dadaab, Kenya - 18 July 2011
Staff Blog: "The need for food assistance is increasing at alarming rate" - 16 July 2011
Urgency grows in the Horn of Africa - 15 July 2011
Slideshow: More pictures from the East Africa Food Crisis - 14 July 2011
Staff Blog: Horn of Africa Food Crisis - Dadaab refugee camp - 8 July 2011
Slideshow: East Africa Food Crisis - 8 July 2011
Horn of Africa: The most severe food crisis in the world - 1 July 2011
Reviving traditions to survice drought in Kenya - 3 June 2011
Ethiopia food shortage: The worst is yet to come - 25 May 2011
Press releases from the East Africa food Crisis:
Saving cattle can save lives in drought-stricken Africa - 29 July 2011
DEC East Africa Crisis Appeal reaches £30 million - 25 July 2011
DEC East Africa Crisis Appeal reaches £27 million - 22 July 2011
DEC East Africa Crisis Appeal reaches £20 million - 18 July 2011
DEC East Africa Crisis Appeal reaches £18 million - 18 July 2011
Violence against women doubles in giant East Africa refugee camp - 17 July 2011
DEC East Africa Crisis Appeal reaches £15 million - 14 July 2011
DEC East Africa Crisis Appeal reaches £13 million - 13 July 2011
DEC agencies prepare to scale up work in Somalia - 13 July 2011
Reported cases of sexual violence have quadrupled among refugees - 12 July 2011
Horn of Africa food crisis: CARE launches £16 million appeal - 11 July 2011
UK donations for East Africa Crisis Appeal reach £8 million - 10 July 2011
DEC aims to help prevent East Africa Crisis becoming a catastrophe - 10 July 2011
DEC East Africa Crisis Appeal reaches £6 million - 9 July 2011
Aid delivered in East Africa as DEC Appeals broadcast in UK - 8 July 2011
Africa’s newest country in grip of food crisis - 8 July 2011
DEC announces East Africa Crisis Appeal - 7 July 2011
Drought in Kenya: “Situation of refugees is grave” - 4 July 2011
Horn of Africa: CARE calls for more attention to severe food insecurity - 19 May 2011
