By: Yitbarek Tekalign
Gudina Tumsa Foundation (GTF) held a colorful graduation ceremony marking not only the successful conclusion of vocational training for a new cohort of youth but also the wrap-up of the first phase of the Legetafo Legedadhi Youth Social and Economic Empowerment (LLYSEE) Project. The occasion was attended by officials from Oromia Regional State, Sheger City Administration, and Legetafo Legedadhi Sub-city of Sheger City.
Since its launch in October 2021, the LLYSEE Project has trained and supported 705 youths, including 447 women, in trainings such as garment manufacturing, pottery, weaving, basketry, and bamboo processing. On this special day, 74 youth graduated from four vocational training areas. These include 20 graduates in weaving (19 women), 19 in garment manufacturing (13 women), 12 in bamboo craft (9 women), and 20 in pottery (all women). These trainees have not only acquired technical expertise but also developed entrepreneurial thinking, prepared business plans, and explored market opportunities.
The graduation celebrated individuals echoed across the hall as symbols of persistence and progress. From the steady rhythm of sewing machines to the shaping of clay and the weaving of thread, the work of these young people is now visible, tangible, and purposeful.
A detailed overview of the LLYSEE Project was presented by Mr. Deme Debela, Livelihood Program Officer of GTF. This was followed by a lively discussion session, certificate presentation, and a guided visit to the exhibition space where the graduates showcased their finished products including garments, woven cloth, pottery, and bamboo items.
The project has provided economic and creative platforms to youth while also contributing to the preservation of Ethiopian heritage. Weaving and pottery, once dwindling traditions, are now finding renewed energy in the hands of skilled young artisans. Tools and equipment provided by GTF have modernized these crafts, helping youth develop competitive products with market potential.
In addition to training, GTF has been providing material and financial support to those who successfully completed their trainings, enabling them to start their own businesses.
One of the project’s most noteworthy achievements is its inclusive approach. Women have taken a leading role. Of the 163 women trained in pottery and many more in other training, their participation is a powerful example of what targeted opportunity and support can foster.
This graduation marks the end of the project’s first phase, which has run from 2021 to 2025 with a budget of over ETB 33 million. The moment is a milestone but not a final destination. While the project has made a difference for those directly involved, GTF acknowledges that the challenges facing the broader youth population of Legetafo Legedadhi remain deep and complex. This initiative is a contribution, not a cure, a spark, not yet a full fire. The second phase of the project will continue to build on this foundation and expand its reach.
Still, in the words of one young graduate, Gemechu Muluma: “We came with dreams and leave with skills, vision, and the power to shape our lives.”
As the exhibition space buzzed with admiration for the handmade creations, it became clear that this was more than a graduation. It was a moment of proof that empowered youth, when given the tools and the training, can carve out space for their own success, even in places where opportunity is scarce.
