2022
Annual Report

Glimmer brings together community-led, holistic solutions that work to end poverty in rural Ethiopia. This year, we equipped farmers with tools to combat a changing climate and invested in opportunities for women and girls. We look forward with hope, carrying with us the lessons learned, strengthened partnerships, and resolve to see a prosperous future for all Ethiopians.

Reflections From Leadership

Q&A with Alicyn and Gebre

After an uncertain year, Ethiopia ends 2022 with a peace treaty and signs of progress. Glimmer's country director and CEO sat down to answer questions from our supporters about what is happening in Tigray now, what we see for the year ahead and how our community can support Ethiopia at this pivotal moment.

Country Director, Gebrehiwot Reta

Alicyn Yarbrough, CEO and Gebrehiwot Reta, Country Director

What is the overall situation in Ethiopia?

Gebre: The devastation in Tigray and the ripple effects across the country are tremendous, even as we work to heal and recover. Compounding the effects of the war, Ethiopia is experiencing the worst drought in 40 years, food shortages from the war in Ukraine, and the continued impacts of the Covid pandemic, all of which put the most intense pressure on rural families. Despite all of this, 2022 also gave us reason to hope as the doors to Tigray reopened.

2022 also gave us reason to hope as the doors to Tigray reopened.

How much was lost during the conflict in the Tigray region?

Gebre: Over half a million people have lost their lives since the war began in November 2020. I recently visited Tigray and witnessed the devastation firsthand. In Tigray, the millions left behind are still suffering, with 1.8 million people internally displaced, 2.3 million children out of school—many of whom have been out of school for three years due to Covid and the war—and over 5 million people in need of food assistance. The trauma, especially for women and girls, will require deep, meaningful healing to truly move forward.

How were Glimmer's projects in Tigray and local partners in the region impacted during the conflict?

Gebre: Glimmer’s work in Tigray spans more than 20 years. Communities where Glimmer worked—home to families we shared coffee with, the children we laughed with—became battlegrounds during the war. Staff members from our long-time local partner organizations lost their lives and several were taken as political prisoners. Communications outside the region were halted, and I was unable to speak with my family members throughout the war. Now, communication lines are open and we are working to rebuild and recover.

Our relationships in the region remain strong.

How is the peace process impacting the people of Tigray?

Gebre: The peace process is extremely important to the Tigrayan people and the entire country. People no longer worry about bombardments. They are relieved as there is no direct fighting and there is more access to critical aid. During the war, inflation soared, supplies were hard to come by and job opportunities dried up. The peace process is expected to bring back investment in the country and improve economic conditions. In Tigray, the peace process allows for the rebuilding of social and physical infrastructure and healing for thousands of families, including the women and girls impacted by sexual- and gender-based violence. Now, hope brings us together.

What activities are proving to be the most resilient over time?

Gebre: We’re seeing that the core of Glimmer’s work—job opportunities paired with essential services—is supporting the stability of communities across Ethiopia. With holistic solutions in place, families can make good choices when crises hit. For communities where we were working prior to 2020, families saw improvements in food security and the ability to deal with crises even through the height of the pandemic.

Alicyn: In 2022 we saw signs of progress in the face of war and soaring inflation—from growth in women’s local leadership to farmers adopting organic composting to girls leading efforts to curb high dropout rates. The ability to pivot in the face of adversity is showing up across our communities thanks to investment in opportunities, especially for women and girls.

In 2022 we saw signs of growth in face of war and soaring inflation.

What are the challenges ahead for 2023?

Gebre: The lack of global attention on Ethiopia remains a huge challenge. Although the International Rescue Committee named Ethiopia as one of the most severe humanitarian crises in the world as we headed into 2023, more than 20 million people are still facing extreme hunger and in need of food assistance across the country. Millions of displaced people want to return home, but their villages are destroyed. Children are eager to return to schools that no longer exist. At this moment, Ethiopia needs critical, lifesaving support to ensure an entire generation of growth and progress is not lost.

Ethiopia needs critical, lifesaving support to ensure an entire generation of growth and progress is not lost.

What are Glimmer's goals for the next few years?

Alicyn: We’re working toward a long-term vision where Ethiopia no longer needs Glimmer or any other international aid. To get there, we are supporting the recovery of Tigray, and continuing our work in the rest of Ethiopia to provide more opportunities for women and girls to thrive. To support this important work, we are raising $15 million by 2025.

To support this important work, we are raising $15 million by 2025.
100% Promise

Join Us in Ethiopia's Recovery

Glimmer works with a network of partners—with the communities and leaders on the ground, our Ethiopian staff, and the global group of donors who make everything possible. By joining us, you will be part of Ethiopia’s success and growth as we rebuild and recover in 2023.

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Where We Worked

237,400 People Impacted

1
Emergency Response
1
Region: Tigray & Amhara
Status: Glimmer supports ongoing recovery efforts.
2
Libo Kemkem
2
Region: Amhara
Population: 14,580 households
Status: Active Implementation, Launched 2019
3
Gumer
3
Region: SNNPR
Population: 10,830 households
Status: Active implementation, Launched 2023
4
Debub Sodo
4
Region: SNNPR
Population: 12,170 households
Status: Active implementation, Launched 2021
5
Debub Sodo Planet-Positive Pilot Project
5
Region: SNNPR
Population: 200 households
Status: Active implementation, Launched 2022
6
Oda Bultum
6
Region: Oromia
Population: 18,420 households
Status: Active implementation, Launched 2020
7
Kersa
7
Region: Oromia
Population: 12,870 households
Status: Active implementation, Launched 2023
Emergency Response
1
Region: Tigray & Amhara
Status: Glimmer supports ongoing recovery efforts.
Libo Kemkem
2
Region: Amhara
Population: 14,580 households
Status: Active Implementation, Launched 2019
Gumer
3
Region: SNNPR
Population: 10,830 households
Status: Active implementation, Launched 2023
Debub Sodo
4
Region: SNNPR
Population: 12,170 households
Status: Active implementation, Launched 2021
Debub Sodo Planet-Positive Pilot Project
5
Region: SNNPR
Population: 200 households
Status: Active implementation, Launched 2022
Oda Bultum
6
Region: Oromia
Population: 18,420 households
Status: Active implementation, Launched 2020
Kersa
7
Region: Oromia
Population: 12,870 households
Status: Active implementation, Launched 2023

Our Reach

We Supported Economic Opportunities For Women

2000
women took microloans and enrolled in trainings
260
women borrowers selected as peer leaders
42%
of local financial cooperative members are women

Stronger together: the power of women-led collectives

An all-women group of poultry loan participants are leveraging their collective resources to sell eggs. Glimmer connected the collective to local restaurants and cafeterias to increase their options for reliable buyers. This creates sustainable income and strengthens communal bonds between the women.

“If I took 50 eggs to the market, I would not earn that much money. But if we collect our eggs and take 150 eggs to the market together, we will get much more.”

—Saaidaa

Closing the gender gap: Ethiopian women at the forefront of financial inclusion

A group of women were selected by the community to manage their local financial cooperative—a savings and loan institution traditionally run by men. Financial cooperatives serve as powerful tools for financial inclusion, especially in rural areas. Ethiopia has one of the lowest rates of financial inclusion in the world, and women are often shut out of savings or loans options. But with women at the helm, this cooperative that started with 45 members has grown to 900 (pictured above with Glimmer’s Director of Programs, Kate Scurria). Savings rates are increasing, membership is growing, and women are gaining the confidence to take hold of their financial futures.

We Equipped Farmers With Resources To Combat A Changing Climate

With the increase of extreme weather conditions in Ethiopia and the soaring cost for basics like fertilizer due to inflation and supply chain shortages, farmers need tools to protect their food supplies and family income. In partnership with the IKEA Foundation, we are testing planet-positive strategies with a group of 200 farming households in Debub Sodo. Early results show improved crop density, higher yields and growth in the volume of nutritious foods.

100%
transitioned from chemical fertilizer to organic compost
54%
use crop byproducts to feed animals, eliminating the need to purchase feed
68%
practice zero grazing, protecting the nutrient content of the soil

Desalegn's Organic Farm

Before Glimmer’s training, Desalegn was not using compost or recycling waste. Now, he is composting at home — making organic fertilizer with earthworms and waste from his farm. Desalegn can already see the difference organic fertilizer makes as his farm produces more nutritious yields more often. He and his family now exclusively grow and consume organic foods. As a father, Desalegn sees his role as protecting and improving the soil for his children and future generations.

Desalegn’s neighbors notice the change as well. Next season, his neighbor plans to intercrop after learning from Desalegn.

“Healthy soil equals healthy food equals healthy people.”

— Desalegn

We Invested In Essential Services For Families

46,000
people with new access to clean water
48,000
children and teachers learning and working in safe, quality schools
65,600
people with access to quality healthcare in their community
2,200
health outreach workers trained

“Now all my children feel like they have both father and mother. They aren’t worried about anything.”

Bedria, a single mother, now has the resources to send her children to school, build savings, and steadily provide for her family after taking a loan for goats.

“The life I am living now is great. Our previous life was oppression by poverty.”

Choma was only nine years old when she was married and pulled out of school. Glimmer’s holistic approach unlocks the potential of women and their children. Now, Choma’s children are teachers in a nearby school and she grows nutritious crops for her family.

We Elevated the Voices of Local Leaders

Local partner spotlight: Working with the community, for the community

Locally based development partners are a vital part of Glimmer’s community-led approach to sustainable poverty reduction. Working with Guraghe Development and Cultural Association (GDCA) on three projects in southern Ethiopia allows us to integrate indigenous knowledge and practices and activate community participation.

In partnership with GDCA, Glimmer is improving essential education, clean water, and healthcare services while offering farmers opportunities to start and expand their businesses. As a result, community trust in GDCA and Glimmer is only growing. Residents see the impact of Glimmer’s work, laying the foundation for sustainable, community-level change.

Farmers participating in a training on composting with GDCA

“The partnership is creating resilience for families against unanticipated shocks. We’re seeing more children staying in school, farmers are noting the positive impacts of regenerative practices, and overall households are seeing their incomes increase.”

— Kibatu Tessema, Executive Director of GDCA

Girls leading the way: breaking taboos and staying in school

In rural Ethiopia, child marriage and stigma around menstruation can prevent girls from continuing their education—most girls drop out after eighth grade. Derartu, an eighth grader in Oda Bultum, Oromia, is working to change this trend in her community. Derartu leads her school’s girls’ club—a safe, supportive space for students to gain confidence and stay in school. Under her leadership, club membership doubled and school attendance increased. This year, Derartu and her fellow girls’ club members used a seed investment from Glimmer to establish a small business selling coffee and tea, ensuring the club will last long after they graduate.

14
girls’ clubs established in new schools
1414
new girls’ club members
98
new girls’ club leaders trained on menstrual hygiene and gender empowerment

We provided emergency relief to communities impacted by war.

Since the war in Tigray began, millions have been displaced and suffered the effects of war. Glimmer provided support to some of those most affected by the conflict by responding to critical needs for food, essential services, and supplies.

378,500
pounds of food provided
124,300
people received food support
1,310
families received seeds and supplies for farming
5
damaged schools reconstructed, which allowed more than 5,000 children to return to the classroom
1,000
hygiene and sanitation kits provided to women and girls

Biniyam's Journey

Out of hundreds,
chosen to lead

Biniyam Tadese’s life was forever changed by Glimmer’s work in his village more than two decades ago. Years later, he was chosen from 400 applicants to lead Glimmer’s data collection efforts. Biniyam reflects on how he came to know Glimmer and now contributes his talents to life-changing work across rural Ethiopia.

I still remember the day Glimmer’s founders, Donna and Philip, came to my village 20 years ago for the groundbreaking of a new school. I was just a nine-year-old boy chosen out of hundreds of others to welcome them with flowers and songs. I didn’t know much about Glimmer at the time, and I certainly had no idea how their work would shape my life.

Years later, after I moved to Addis Ababa and completed a degree in software engineering, a job posting for Glimmer caught my attention—it was exactly what I was looking for. I applied, and out of hundreds of applicants, made it to the final interview round. In the interview, I shared that I was very familiar with Glimmer’s work; I’d experienced it myself!

Now, I work for the very organization that transformed my village and my life. I participate in life-changing projects across Ethiopia, work with amazing people, and am proud to give back to my country.

“I am so happy to be a member of Glimmer, the organization I’ve known since I was kid, the organization that supports my school, the organization that has impacted my family, the organization that supports my community and now supports me.”

—Biniyam Tadese
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