Building Self-Reliance Through Skills, Employment and Entrepreneurship
Introduction
TESFA Refugees with Disabilities Association believes that every refugee with a disability has the right to earn a decent living, support their family, and contribute meaningfully to society. Employment and economic independence are essential for restoring dignity, reducing poverty, and promoting long-term self-reliance.
Unfortunately, many refugees with disabilities face significant barriers to securing employment and generating income. These barriers include discrimination, limited access to education and vocational training, inaccessible workplaces, financial exclusion, lack of business capital, language barriers, and restricted livelihood opportunities.
TESFA’s Livelihood & Economic Empowerment Program is designed to equip refugees with disabilities with the knowledge, skills, resources, and opportunities needed to become economically independent. Through vocational training, entrepreneurship development, employment support, financial literacy, and partnerships with employers and development organizations, TESFA helps members build sustainable livelihoods and improve their quality of life.
Our vision is to empower every refugee with a disability to become productive, financially independent, and actively engaged in economic development.
Background
Economic empowerment is one of the most effective ways to improve the lives of refugees with disabilities. While humanitarian assistance provides immediate relief, sustainable livelihoods enable individuals to support themselves and their families with dignity.
Many refugees with disabilities possess valuable talents and skills but remain unemployed because of social stigma, inaccessible work environments, limited vocational opportunities, and lack of financial resources. Women, youth, and older persons with disabilities often face additional barriers.
TESFA addresses these challenges by promoting inclusive employment, entrepreneurship, vocational skills, financial inclusion, and access to markets, while advocating for equal employment opportunities.
Why This Program Matters
A stable livelihood enables refugees with disabilities to:
- Meet their basic needs independently.
- Improve household income and living standards.
- Reduce dependence on humanitarian assistance.
- Build confidence and self-esteem.
- Gain dignity through productive work.
- Contribute to local economic development.
- Support children’s education and healthcare.
- Strengthen resilience during economic crises.
Economic empowerment transforms beneficiaries from aid recipients into active contributors to society.
Vision
A future where every refugee with a disability enjoys equal opportunities to earn a sustainable income, achieve financial independence, and contribute to economic development.
Mission
To promote inclusive economic opportunities by strengthening employability, entrepreneurship, vocational skills, financial inclusion, and sustainable livelihoods for refugees with disabilities.
Goal
To improve the economic well-being and self-reliance of refugees with disabilities through employment, entrepreneurship, vocational training, and income-generating opportunities.
Objectives
The Livelihood & Economic Empowerment Program aims to:
- Improve access to decent employment.
- Promote entrepreneurship and small business development.
- Strengthen vocational and technical skills.
- Increase financial literacy.
- Facilitate access to business financing and savings.
- Promote inclusive workplaces.
- Support women and youth entrepreneurs.
- Strengthen market access for small businesses.
- Encourage innovation and digital entrepreneurship.
- Build long-term economic resilience.
Our Services
TESFA provides comprehensive livelihood and economic empowerment services.
Employment Support
Helping members prepare for employment through career guidance, job readiness training, CV writing, interview preparation, and employer referrals.
Vocational Skills Development
Providing practical skills training that matches labour market demands and individual interests.
Training areas may include:
- Tailoring and garment production
- Hairdressing and beauty services
- Catering and food preparation
- Carpentry
- Metal work
- Electrical installation
- Plumbing
- Agriculture
- Poultry farming
- Urban gardening
- Computer maintenance
- Graphic design
- Mobile phone repair
- Driving
- Hospitality
- Photography
Entrepreneurship Development
Supporting refugees with disabilities to establish and expand small businesses through:
- Business planning
- Entrepreneurship training
- Business registration guidance
- Marketing support
- Customer service training
- Financial management
- Business mentoring
Financial Literacy
Teaching beneficiaries how to:
- Prepare personal budgets.
- Save money.
- Manage debt responsibly.
- Plan investments.
- Keep financial records.
- Understand banking services.
- Build financial resilience.
Business Development Support
TESFA assists entrepreneurs by providing:
- Business coaching.
- Market linkage.
- Networking opportunities.
- Business incubation.
- Product promotion.
- Branding guidance.
- Digital marketing support.
Employment Linkages
TESFA collaborates with employers to:
- Promote disability-inclusive hiring.
- Facilitate internships.
- Support apprenticeships.
- Organize job fairs.
- Connect skilled members with employment opportunities.
Key Activities
The program conducts:
- Vocational skills training.
- Entrepreneurship workshops.
- Business competitions.
- Career counselling.
- Job readiness training.
- Internship placements.
- Employer networking events.
- Savings group formation.
- Financial literacy workshops.
- Cooperative development.
- Market exhibitions.
- Product fairs.
- Digital skills training.
- Mentorship programmes.
- Youth employment initiatives.
- Women’s entrepreneurship forums.
Target Beneficiaries
This program serves:
- Refugees with physical disabilities.
- Refugees with visual impairments.
- Refugees with hearing impairments.
- Women with disabilities.
- Youth with disabilities.
- Graduates seeking employment.
- Existing entrepreneurs.
- Individuals wishing to start businesses.
- Caregivers seeking livelihood opportunities.
Expected Outcomes
TESFA expects the program to achieve:
- Increased employment among refugees with disabilities.
- More successful small businesses.
- Improved household income.
- Reduced poverty.
- Greater financial independence.
- Increased entrepreneurship.
- Improved financial literacy.
- Stronger local economies.
- Increased participation of women and youth in economic activities.
- Sustainable livelihoods.
Success Indicators
Progress will be measured by:
- Number of beneficiaries trained.
- Number of businesses established.
- Number of jobs secured.
- Increase in beneficiary income.
- Number of internships completed.
- Number of employers engaged.
- Business survival rates.
- Amount of savings generated.
- Number of cooperative groups formed.
- Beneficiary satisfaction.
How We Implement
This Program
TESFA delivers this program through:
- Skills assessments.
- Vocational training centres.
- Community outreach.
- Employer partnerships.
- Business mentorship.
- Financial literacy education.
- Cooperative development.
- Market linkages.
- Monitoring and evaluation.
- Continuous coaching and follow-up.
Strategic Partnerships
TESFA collaborates with:
- Government labour and employment offices.
- Technical and vocational education institutions (TVETs).
- Microfinance institutions.
- Banks.
- Chambers of commerce.
- Private companies.
- International NGOs.
- UN agencies.
- Business associations.
- Cooperative unions.
- Entrepreneurship development organizations.
Sustainability Strategy
To ensure long-term impact, TESFA will:
- Promote self-employment and entrepreneurship.
- Strengthen savings and investment culture.
- Build strong employer networks.
- Encourage cooperative businesses.
- Expand digital livelihood opportunities.
- Support graduates to mentor new entrepreneurs.
- Diversify funding through partnerships and income-generating initiatives.
Digital Livelihoods
TESFA promotes technology-based income opportunities such as:
- Freelancing.
- Online businesses.
- Digital marketing.
- E-commerce.
- Content creation.
- Virtual assistance.
- Online tutoring.
- Software development.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who can participate in the livelihood program?
Registered TESFA members with disabilities who wish to improve their employment prospects or start and grow a business.
Does TESFA provide business grants or loans?
TESFA mobilizes financial support through partnerships when available and also connects members with microfinance institutions and livelihood projects.
Do I need previous work experience?
No. Many training courses are designed for beginners as well as experienced participants.
Can women and youth apply?
Yes. TESFA encourages the participation of women, youth, and other vulnerable groups in all livelihood activities.
Can I receive support for online or digital businesses?
Yes. TESFA promotes digital entrepreneurship, freelancing, e-commerce, and other technology-based income opportunities.
Get Involved
Economic empowerment requires collective effort. You can support this program by:
- Offering employment or internship opportunities.
- Partnering with TESFA to deliver vocational training.
- Mentoring young entrepreneurs.
- Donating equipment or start-up tools.
- Supporting business incubation initiatives.
- Purchasing products made by refugee entrepreneurs.
- Sponsoring livelihood and skills development projects.
Together, we can create opportunities for refugees with disabilities to become economically independent, build resilient livelihoods, and contribute to inclusive and sustainable development.
Contact the Livelihood & Economic Empowerment Program
TESFA Refugees with Disabilities Association
📧 Email: livelihood@tesfa.com.et
🌐 Website: www.tesfa.com.et
“Empowering skills, creating opportunities, and building brighter futures through sustainable livelihoods.”
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