Aya, a former police officer, made the difficult decision to leave behind her best friend, colleague, and now husband, along with her big, loving family, to seek better opportunities abroad. Growing up as one of 10 siblings, her sociable and optimistic nature became her greatest asset, helping her adapt and thrive wherever life took her. In 2006, driven by her determination for a brighter future, Aya traveled to Lebanon.

Fluent in Arabic and with intermediate English and French skills, Aya worked diligently in multiple homes as a cook, falling in love with Lebanese cuisine and sharpening her culinary skills along the way. In 2014, Aya returned to Ethiopia, having saved enough money to invest in her dreams. She married her long time friend and ex-colleague from the force and opened a small restaurant in Shiromeda, later expanding to a second location in Welete.

Despite her hard work and commitment, the burden of taxes forced her to close both locations after giving it her all for 2 years. In 2018, Aya returned to Lebanon and worked as a freelance cook until she made her second return to Ethiopia in early 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted life globally.

Determined to build a sustainable future, Aya enrolled in a hospitality course to formalize the skills she had cultivated over the years. With a passion for cooking, she pivoted her restaurant business and began making fasting and non-fasting ‘Agelgil’ for events, making it in her home promoting and selling through her personal network.

To further support her household, where her husband, a civil servant, earns a modest income, Aya joined Etalem. She discovered GoodayOn and Etalem through a friend who had been part of our legacy business model. After attending orientation, completing identity verification, and passing the basic skills assessment, Aya secured her first recurring gig and also received outstanding review after showcasing her culinary skills on the #EtalemLunch series.

Two months in Aya tells us she appreciates the flexibility Etalem provides, allowing her to balance work with her personal life and entrepreneurial endeavors.

Aya’s story is a shining example of the Etalem shift—turning everyday skills and experiences into  dignified, flexible opportunities for women to support their families and thrive.

‍