Our Philosophy

Coffee seedling program

Our coffee seedling program has been designed to create more diverse economic opportunities for the smallholder farmers in the region of Yetebon, where much of our work is focused.Our coffee farmers association involves 800 farming families across ten kebles, who have the opportunity to learn about cooperatives, fair-trade practices and the coffee export business. This training program takes place at our demonstration gardens, which provide the skills and knowledge for smallholder farmers to take home to their own plots of land.

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Dairy Cattle Breeding Program

Project Mercy's Dairy Cattle Breeding Program in ChaCha, Ethiopia, is transforming lives by improving milk production and generating income for smallholder farmers and their families. This innovative program draws on research from ILRI (previously ELCA), expertise from Purdue University, and support from various partners.

In partnership with the Royal Jersey Agriculture and Horticulture Society from Jersey Island, the program uses crossbreeding with high-yielding Jersey cows to significantly increase milk production. Local cows average only 1.6 liters per day, while improved breeds can produce up to 15 liters, nearly nine times more. This increased production allows families to not only have enough milk for their children, but also generate additional income from selling surplus milk. This income helps families afford necessities like education, healthcare, and better housing.

The program's impact extends beyond individual families. Project Mercy's model is being replicated by the Ethiopian Ministry of Agriculture, and the program has created employment opportunities for young people trained as breeding technicians.

Through expansion efforts, the program has grown significantly. What started with families in seven Kebeles (local administrative units) receiving improved breeds from Project Mercy's farm has now expanded to 14 Kebeles. This expansion is achieved by empowering local farmers and training Artificial Insemination Technicians in the community to ensure the program's sustainability and wider reach.

To date, the program has reached almost 200 families, with a total of 615 heifers distributed and calves born through the program's services. This brings the total number of improved breeding animals to 1,229.

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Basket weaving program

Our basket weaving program provides economic opportunities to elderly women in Yetebon and surrounding Kebeles with new skills in artisanal crafts. Many women in the region used to make their living by carrying heavy firewood to the market for sale. This back-breaking work not only resulted in little income but also contributed to health complications for these women. Basket weaving is taught utilizing the local kauna grass, which is often dyed to add bright colors to these artisanal pieces. Through basket weaving, women can make up to 800 Birr per basket, which is often used to place children in school and improve their living conditions, including building brick houses to replace mud houses. It also supplies a sense of community as many of the women involved in this craft choose to weave baskets together.