Fikere Filate, 25, holds a chicken inside her group coop in Awasa Zuria woreda, Ethiopia on September 13, 2025. She is the chairperson of Lonse Lopino Chick Grower Enterprise (Lonse Lopino means Let’s work and grow together) which raises chickens.

UPDATE: The Impact of Just One Gift Keeps Growing!

You’ve followed Fikere’s journey all year. Now see how she’s building a future of her own — and helping other families do the same.

One gift started something bigger.

One generous gift of chicks gave Fikere the opportunity she needed to build a brighter future for her family. Today, she’s proudly building that future with the knowledge and skills she needs to make it happen.

And her story shows just how far one gift can go.

Building a Business That Lasts

Fikere has come a long way. Not only does she know how to properly care for her chicks, she also has the business knowledge she needs to keep moving forward.

After successfully completing three rounds of raising pullets, Fikere now purchases chicks independently and manages her poultry business with confidence. She knows exactly what it costs to raise each bird, purchasing chicks for 115 birr ($0.80) each and earning an average profit of 45 birr ($0.31) per bird sold. With every new cycle, she’s putting that knowledge into practice and building a reliable income.

And her growing income is opening the door to even bigger possibilities. Fikere has already purchased a male goat and added a calf to her farm, with plans to expand into even more livestock in the future.

Stronger Together

Fikere’s growing business has helped her regain something poverty had taken away: the ability to participate in and contribute to her community.

“Poverty takes away your confidence and ability to be an active member of the community,” she said.

Having a reliable income allows Fikere to join her neighbors when they come together to support families in times of need. And through her poultry group, she’s surrounded by women who are building their futures together and encouraging one another along the way.

One of those women is 22-year-old Birtukan Arsicha, who now supports her mother and siblings through the poultry business.

Look How Far Fikere Has Come

HER BUSINESS

THEN
Fikere’s first poultry business ended in heartbreak when her group paid for 900 chicks that never arrived.

NOW
Fikere and her group successfully raise and sell chicks — and purchase new chicks independently.

HER COMMUNITY

THEN
Poverty left Fikere feeling disconnected and unable to play an active role in her community.

NOW
Fikere contributes to community support efforts and works alongside women who encourage one another.

HER FUTURE

THEN
Fikere and her husband struggled to earn enough to meet their family’s needs.

NOW
She’s growing her farm, adding livestock and working toward her dream of a safe, modern home.

The Ripple Effect of One Gift

Through Heifer’s unique tradition of Passing on the Gift®, Fikere’s group has given eight families in their community 30 female chicks each. And one day, those families will pass on the gift again, creating opportunities for even more families to thrive.
That’s how the impact of one gift can keep growing.

SOMEONE CHOSE TO GIVE

FIKERE AND HER GROUP GREW

THEY PASSED IT ON TO 8 MORE FAMILIES

AND THE IMPACT CONTINUES!

SEND FIKERE A MESSAGE

You’ve followed Fikere’s journey all year. Now she’d love to hear from you! Send a message of encouragement to Fikere and the women in her group.

Group of women sitting outdoors under trees during a meeting.

This year, we are putting the voices of women like Fikere at the center.

Find Out More

Women Farmers Are Leading Change

As we celebrate the International Year of the Woman Farmer, Fikere’s story reminds us what’s possible when women farmers have access to the tools, training and opportunities they need to succeed.

Across Ethiopia and around the world, women farmers are feeding families, building businesses and creating lasting change — often with fewer resources than men.

41 %

of the global agrifood workforce is women,

yet many lack the resources to thrive

45 M

people could escape food insecurity

by closing gender gaps in agriculture

58 M

people’s incomes could rise

through targeted investment in rural women