Anyone who has been to gardens stuffed with flowers and a varied assortment of plants, in which the scent and the fragrant of the flowers fill the surrounding areas could feel and understand the splendidness of the place. For most of us, living in crowded areas, it is a rare opportunity to find a place that can grab our attention and make us appreciate nature.
Weyira Sefer, located in Kolfe Keraniyo Sub City, south west of Addis Ababa is one of the few areas filled with a lot of green plants and refreshes as well as fascinates the minds of its viewers.
The nearby river has also given extra beauty to the village. However, behind these greenery areas, the names of two people who are dedicated their entire life to the care and beautify of the place along with their families mentioned loudly and cherished warmly.
Abaynesh Mamo, the grower, is living in the aforementioned area for several years. She lives with her husband and her three children. “She mentioned that her keenness to grow and sell plants started 12 years ago. “My life had never been as such happier till I started growing plants,” she said.
The business she started with nothing more than few seeds have changed the lives of her families. As to Abaynesh, though there are times that they had faced difficulties with getting seed supplies, the families are performing their daily activities in a manner they can conserve the environment as well as serve the society.
Appreciating her husband’s full support at the field as well as at the household, she noted that they are able to move their life up. Moreover, She said: “At first, what we get from selling the seeds could not buy anything more than school materials for our children however, as we improve our efforts, everything has changed for the better and our income has increased.”
Abaynesh called on those who are responsible in providing support for activities that is linked with environment protection. She stressed that their outcomes would be better if they get support from those concerned bodies.
“The financial status we have reached would never be compared with the mental satisfaction and health benefit that comes along with spending hours in the green area.”
The other person who lives in the village is Dereje Shiferaw. This man has devoted his life for the job since 2004. Unlike Abaynesh, Dereje majorly plants agricultural seeds which can be an input for home food supplies.
He has an extended family assisting him through this job. Aside from supporting his families he has relieved the burden of elders in his neighborhood by delivering fresh vegetables each morning at their doorstep as they cannot go far due to health and age issues.
Making use of the river, he plants the huge trees that make the view one of a kind. Dereje strongly believes that planting trees has enormous importance that anyone could ever imagine.
He said: “Living in a cultural society like us having trees that have long years has multipurpose use. If you think of the social reunion like Equb, Edir or national or religious ceremonies, many of them could be done under those trees. Besides, it has a significance role in environment conservation and protection.”
People usually rely on the financial use and tend to forget the peaceful spirit that comes from staying with plants, he indicated.
One of the initiating factors behind the unrest in different areas, according to him, is the result of unemployment. “However, people do not still be aware of what they could do if they put their mind on growing plants.
For a person who wants an occupation that can change his life should not necessarily be something out of academic fields/ areas. Sometimes, all it takes is a take a look at of the surroundings. That way, they can see that many things could create business opportunities that not only change that particular individual but the whole country.”
If they get support from the government, they both mentioned that they have planned to extend their business and they look forward to creating job opportunities for those who want to improve their lives not only financially but also mentally.
The Ethiopian Herald July 3/2019
BY BETELHEM BEDLU
