Hatching New Ideas

GGRF Partners with Hatch Africa and EthioChicken to Support Entrepreneurship and Financial Independence

At Girls Gotta Run, we know that economic empowerment can be transformative, especially for the mothers we serve. Owning a business, serving an existing need, and becoming financially independent all help to break cycles of poverty, shift gender norms, and build thriving communities for their children.

GGRF’s Mothers’ Savings and Entrepreneurship Program empowers the mothers of our Athletic Scholars to do just that—saving collectively, developing financial literacy, and exploring opportunities to increase household income. Within groups, mothers pitch business ideas, access small loans, and reinvest profits—learning to grow and sustain their ventures and supported by seed money, vocational training, and other resources from GGRF.

Recently, this work was enhanced by a partnership with Joseph Shields, founder and co-CEO of Hatch Africa, and one of the company’s sub-groups, EthioChicken, which supplies high-quality poultry and eggs to millions of people in six countries. Through its work, Hatch creates more than $350 million in annual profit for 3+ million farmers each year—with a flock of 10 donated chickens, these farmers earn an average of $100 of profit, more than three times the return of farming local chickens.

Moved by the potential of the Mothers’ Savings and Entrepreneurship Program, Shields and EthioChicken stepped forward with an extraordinary contribution: a donation of 3,000 day-old chicks to help launch a poultry entrepreneurship initiative.

Eight mothers across Soddo and Bekoji were selected to participate in the EthioChicken pilot. Before receiving the chicks, they completed training on poultry management, including proper feeding, watering, housing, health monitoring, and basic business practices. Drawing on the savings they had built through their savings groups, the women also invested their own resources to purchase additional supplies and prepare their households for the new venture. Through a partnership with EthioChicken, the cost of the chicks, training, feed, transport, and vaccines was fully covered. Support from Project Redwood helped strengthen the pilot, contributing to the mothers’ matched savings and providing additional materials and supplies needed to successfully launch and sustain the businesses.

"I want my daughter to see that women can build a business.” - Program Participant Lomi

Working alongside family members, the mothers cared for the chicks over a 30-day growth cycle. In about one month, they successfully sold their chickens, generating income for their households and demonstrating the power of combining entrepreneurship training, community savings, and strategic partnerships.

“This program is investing in both generations,” said program participant Lomi. “My daughter is learning, and I am earning. I see this as the beginning of a business that can continue to grow over time. I want my daughter to see that women can build a business.”

The results exceeded expectations. Not only did the mothers generate profits from their first sales cycle, but these gains reached 90,000-120,000 birr, surpassing Ethiopia's average annual salary. Many of the mothers also expressed excitement about reinvesting in future cycles and growing their businesses over time. Some have already reinvested up to three times.

“For the first time, I have a source of income that belongs to me,” said program participant Zinu. “I am building something with my own hands. My husband supports me, but I am leading. These chickens are giving me confidence and helping me support my family.”

For Girls Gotta Run Foundation, this initiative represents an important step forward in our efforts to strengthen the economic resilience of families. When mothers have access to income-generating opportunities, they are better positioned to support their daughters’ education, health, and future aspirations.

“We are deeply grateful to Joseph Shields and the entire EthioChicken team for believing in the potential of these women and helping turn an idea into reality,” said GGR Executive Director Blaine Kebede. “Their partnership is creating opportunities that extend far beyond a single donation—it is helping families build sustainable pathways toward economic independence.”