Meet Ato Getiye Kidanhewelede, working hard to provide for his family while living with HIV.

Ato Getiye is a 45-year old husband, father to a son and a daughter, and a caregiver to two orphans in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. (

Gitiye is also living with HIV. 

The toll on his health made it difficult for Getiye to provide for his family and to maintain their home in Ketchene, the largest informal settlement community in Addis Ababa.

When Getiye met Mullugeta, Director of CAP/AIDS partner Hope Bright Vision, he had one question - "Why are you looking only for women to help? I want to work too." Mullugeta was primarily recruiting women as female-headed households are considered more vulnerable - however, he was more than happy to make room for an enthusiastic man like Getiye, eager to learn and work hard to support his family!

Getiye, a man of his word, has proved himself to be the most hard working and ambitious participant in the project!

Originally Getiye was supported in completing a Tailoring course at the Ethiopia Women Fund Development Production Training Centre.

In March, after completing the Tailoring course, he also began sitting in on training sessions in weaving. His thinking - that way he'd have a back-up plan should tailoring not provide an adequate income for his family.

As an official graduate of the Tailoring course, Getiye was provided a work space at the Centre, sponsored by the Government of Ethiopia. He is able to rent a sewing machine for 180Birr (CDN $11) per month and is now earning upwards of 600Birr, less rental, through independent tailoring contracts.

Since he did not officially graduate from the weaving training, he unfortunately does not qualify to rent looms at the Centre, so instead Getiye saved his earnings to purchase materials and has built his own loom!

He now weaves whenever there is down time in his tailoring business and is earning an additional 1500Birr after expenses.

As if this doesn't keep Getiye busy enough, Getiye is also now volunteering his time with Hope Bright Vision as a group leader for 11 youth who, like him, completed Tailoring training and are trying to build their own tailoring operations.

Getiye is an inspiring reminder that HIV need not threaten the livelihoods of families - sometimes, people like Getiye, who are living with HIV, just need support as they re-train for vocations that will enable them to provide for themselves in new and sustainable ways!