Letebrihan, a single mother and farmer in the Villages of Medebay Zana, struggled to feed her children and earn an income. Glimmer completed an irrigation project to channel river water to her farmland, increasing and diversifying her crop production. 

Only five percent of small, Ethiopian farms have access to irrigation, leaving the majority without sufficient water for crops and food for months at a time. When shocks such as drought hit a rural community, stable food supplies are essential to survival and resilience.

In Letebrihan’s village, Glimmer’s irrigation work is bringing hundreds of family farms reliable water and increasing the amount of viable farm land. Today, Letebrihan’s crop production is growing and diversifying. 

"I am very happy! I did not dream this previously. This is a very new life! I don't believe this."

Letebrihan

Letebrihan’s harvests increased threefold. Prior to irrigation, farmers were limited to growing crops during the one rainy season per year. With a year-round source through irrigation, farmers are able to produce an additional two to three harvests per year.

Letebrihan and her children have diverse, nutritious diets. With more months of production and agricultural training from Glimmer, farmers are growing new crops to feed their families and community. Letebrihan previously grew only teff, millet and maize; this year, she also planted tomatoes, onions, green peppers and mango trees on her farm.

With surplus crops, Letebrihan contributes to her community market. Previously, Letebrihan’s community struggled with food shortages. Now that Letebrihan is increasing and diversifying her yields, she has a larger harvest to sell at market, and community members benefit from a more diverse, nutritious and reliable food supply.