In a quiet corner of Ayer Tena, Addis Ababa, Woyitu Desta Dinkaˇs story began not with success, but with a simple dream and a rented room. At 42, she is now known as a strong, determined woman but her journey to get there was anything but easy.
Years ago, Woyitu was just a mother trying to make ends meet. With her husband, Diriba Adere, and three children to care for, every day was a balancing act. Her eldest daughter dreamed of university, her son was growing into his teenage years, and her youngest still needed guidance and care. Providing for them was her biggest motivation.
She started small, very small. From a single rented room, she sold yogurt. It wasnˇt much, but it was honest work. Some days were good, others were uncertain. What weighed on her most was not the hard work, but the feeling of being stuck. She had the vision to grow, but not the financial means to move forward.
Then, one conversation changed everything.
A friend told her about VisionFund Microfinance. At first, she hesitated taking a loan felt risky. But hope pushed her forward. In 2007, she walked into the Kolfe Branch and took her first loan of ETB 250,000. It was a bold step, one filled with both fear and determination.
With that money, Woyitu opened a tiny restaurant in a 4×4 room. (The rent was ETB 5,000, and the space was small but her ambition was not. She worked long hours, often exhausted, but she refused to give up. Every customer mattered. Every sell counted.
Growth didnˇt happen overnight. It came in stages; through six loan cycles, each one a stepping stone. She reinvested carefully, sometimes even risking what she had, using her car as collateral to push forward. There were challenges, moments of doubt, and times when things could have gone wrong. But she stayed focused.
Slowly, her efforts began to pay off.
Today, Woyitu stands proudly as the owner of MELALA Restaurant near Ayer Tena Square. What once started as a yogurt corner has become a thriving business. Her restaurant brings in around ETB 8,000 daily, employs 10 people, and holds assets worth nearly ETB 50 million. But beyond the numbers, it represents years of persistence, sacrifice, and belief.
Her journey didnˇt stop there. She expanded into car rental and vehicle trading, building multiple streams of income and strengthening her independence. At home, the changes are just as meaningful she has built and bought her own house, provided her children with quality education, and created a life of dignity and comfort for her family.
Today, Woyitu is more than a businesswoman. She is a symbol of possibility. In her community, she is respected and admired, a woman who proved that starting small does not mean staying small.
Yet, even now, she is not done dreaming.
She talks about building a large hotel, offering food, beverages, and accommodation. She envisions becoming a car importer and distributor. For Woyitu, the journey is still unfolding.
˝Plan for change, seek access to finance, stay committed, and work hard to transform your familyˇs life.˛
When she reflects on her path, her voice carries both pride and gratitude. She often shares a simple but powerful message:
And if her story tells us anything, itˇs this sometimes, all it takes is one opportunity, one brave decision, and the courage to keep going.
