Wearing the Moment, Shaping the Future How Common Aspirations Wove a Dream In to Reality

In Debrebirhan, located 130 kilometers north of Addis Ababa, crisp air makes warmth a natural way of life. Here, 32-year-old Getenet Assefa found his true passion early in life. Long before he ever held a civil engineering blueprint, Getenet’s hands knew the steady rhythm of a sewing machine. Growing up in a large family with five sisters and two brothers where he is the eldest of the boys, his childhood blended play with early lessons in craftsmanship.

Stationed beside his father, a traditional tailor, Getenet and his brother began learning the trade as early as fourth grade. Tracing patterns and cutting fabric began as curiosity, quickly evolving into a meaningful way to assist and connect with their father.

Years later, after earning a civil engineering degree from Dilla University and working for two years in his field, life guided Getenet back to his roots. The turning point arrived when two of his sisters one a Middle East returnee and another living in Debrebirhan shared their plans to seek employment at a local industrial park in the textile sector. Getenet paused to reflect on their shared expertise and asked why they should seek employment elsewhere when they could start their own enterprise in an industry they had known since childhood.

That single question sparked a business. Armed with three old sewing machines, a modest capital of 90,000 Birr, and a founding team composed of Getenet and his two sisters, they launched Jano Garment in Debrebirhan, focusing on high-quality hoodies and customized event apparel.

The major turning point came through the Sustainable Employment through Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development (SEED) program. Led by the Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EDI) in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation alongside consortium members (EAU, Hope, OIH, and ACT), the program was designed to create dignified jobs for young people and women. Through the SEED program, Getenet received comprehensive support that transformed his enterprise, including entrepreneurship and technical training, mentorship, marketing linkages, export readiness preparation, and an access-to-finance loan of 341,000 Birr.

The impact of this support was transformative. Daily production increased significantly, with shirt output rising from 200 to 450 units and hoodies jumping from 120 to 250 units per day. This boost in capacity drove monthly sales from 200,000 Birr to over 550,000 Birr, pushing the business valuation past three million Birr. To accommodate this rapid growth, Jano Garment secured a 240-square-meter expansion shed from the city administration doubling their previous workspace and expanded its team from 9 to 17 workers.

Today, Getenet balances his role as manager of Jano Garment alongside his family life in Debrebirhan with his wife an urban planning engineering graduate and their two children. Looking ahead, Getenet plans to employ over 100 young people within the next five years and is preparing to export his products internationally by next year.

As we observe International Youth Day 2026 under the theme "Different Contexts, Common Aspirations," Getenet’s journey reflects what young people can achieve when provided with the right support. Across diverse communities, young people share a drive for dignity, opportunity, and sustainable livelihoods. For Getenet, every stitch today is a step toward a prosperous tomorrow.