Organizational Track Record and Partnerships

70 years of empowering Ethiopia's disabled community through dignity, skill, and opportunity

Key Achievement and Impact Metrics

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Years of uninterrupted service to Ethiopia's disabled community

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Square meters of land successfully secured and preserved for its intended social purpose across generations

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Individuals provided with stable employment and dignity

Successful navigation of multiple political transitions while safeguarding core mission and assets.

Historical Service and Previous Works

Our journey defines our track record

1950s-60s

Foundation Era

Foundation and establishment of initial rehabilitation service

1966

National Stewardship

Assumed national stewardship of key institutions (Bako School, Welayta Sodo Home) from international partners

1970s-80s

Nationwide Expansion

Expanded regional production room centers, providing nationwide vocational training

2000

Legal Re-registration

Successfully re-registered under new legal frameworks, demonstrating adaptability

2000-Present

Modern Era

Consolidated operations, professionalized governance, and launched sustainability initiatives

Strategic Partnerships

Historically, we have collaborated with international organizations such as the Christian Blind Mission (CBM), the Sudan Interior Mission (SIM), and various Italian Catholic Missions. Today, we seek partnerships with government bodies (Social Affairs Offices), local business, civil society organizations, and international development agencies focused on inclusive economic growth.

Christian Blind Mission (CBM) Sudan Interior Mission (SIM) Various Italian Catholic Missions Government Social Affairs Offices Local businesses and civil society organizations International development agencies focused on inclusive economic growth

The association is fully compliant with Ethiopian law. It was formally re-registered on , under the Civil Society Organization Authority, in accordance with the Ethiopian Civil Code No. 404 and Associations Registration Regulation No. 321/1959. Our operations and governance are regularly reviewed to maintain this standing.

Governance and Leadership

Executive Committee

Composed of seven elected professionals committed to disability inclusion, providing strategic guidance and oversight.

Management Team

Led by a General Manager with extensive experience in non-profit management and vocational training, supported by department heads skilled in production, training, and administration.

Community Engagement

We engage deeply with our primary stakeholders, persons with disabilities, by involving them directly in program design and as the majority of our workforce. We collaborate with local communities, government social affairs bureaus, and other disability associations to advocate for inclusive policies and raise awareness, ensuring our work is community-embedded and responsive.

Future Strategic Direction

Our primary strategic direction is the development of our endowed land. With secured permits, we plan to construct modern facilities for expanded production workshops, training centers, administrative offices, and retail shops. This project aims to create a self-sustaining ecosystem that guarantees our financial independence, scales our impact, and secures a permanent hub for disability empowerment for future generations.

Awards and Recognitions

Our Community Responsibilities

Environment Responsibility

We recognize that protecting the environment is essential to sustainable development. Hulegeb is committed to reducing our ecological footprint through conscious material choice, waste reduction, and responsible production.

Natural & Local Materials

We prioritize sustainably sourced, natural materials such as sheep wool, cotton, and locally harvested wood, minimizing synthetic inputs and reducing carbon emissions from transportation.

Low Waste Production

From fabric scraps to wood off-cuts, we repurpose leftover materials into smaller products like doormats, brushes, or stuffing, ensuring minimal waste in our manufacturing process.

Eco-Friendly Practice

Our natural dyes, traditional hand weaving techniques, and non-toxic finishes ensure that Productsion processes are safe for both our artisans and the environment.

Long-Lasting Production

We craft durable, high-quality goods designed to withstand years of use—encouraging conscious consumption and reducing the cycle of waste.

Land Stewardship

Our endowed land in Addis Ababa is not only a hub for training and production but also a responsibly managed asset. Future development plans include eco-conscious building designs and green spaces that respect the local ecosystem.

Our Social Responsibility

At Hulegeb social responsibility is the foundation of who we are. We are not just an organization serving the blind and physically disabled—we are a community created, led, and sustained by them. Over 80% of our workforce and leadership are persons with disabilities, ensuring every decision and action is rooted in lived experience, respect, and true representation.

Inclusive Employment and Leadership

We go beyond offering jobs—we build careers, cultivate leaders, and empower our team to shape the organization from within.

Dignity through Skills

Our hands-on vocational training in weaving, carpentry, brush-making and other trades is designed to transition individuals from marginalization to economic independence and self-reliance.

Advocacy and Awareness

We actively partner with government bodies, community groups, and media to advance disability rights, disrupt stereotypes, and influence inclusive policies at all levels.

Gender Equality

We maintain a near-equal gender balance across all roles, ensuring women with disabilities are prominently represented as artisans, managers, and decision-makers.

Community-centered Design

Everything we do—from product creation to program development—is shaped in direct dialogue with the disability community, guaranteeing relevance, authenticity, and lasting impact.

Our Economical Responsibility

At Hulegeb, economic responsibility means creating systems that empower, sustain, and include. We move beyond aid to build a self-reliant ecosystem where persons with disabilities are not beneficiaries but producers, earners and leaders.

Our model integrates vocational training with immediate income-generating work ensuring skills translate directly into livelihoods. We maintain stability through diversified streams—product sales, workshop training, land-based revenue, and strategic partnerships. By developing our endowed land for long-term community wealth, we invest in sustainable growth that benefits generations.

We prioritize local sourcing and employ artisans with disabilities across production, packaging, and sales—keeping opportunity within the community. All resources are managed with transparency and accountability under elected governance, ensuring every investment advances our mission.

Hulegeb stands as a custodian of trust, a catalyst for inclusion, and a blueprint for disability-led development—proving that true economic power lies in empowerment not dependence.

Our Method of Production

We believe production should empower—not exploit. That's why our workshops are designed as spaces for learning, creativity, and purpose.

Inclusive Employment and Training Integration

The majority of Productsion team is composed of blind and physically disabled artisans. We operate on an apprentice-to-artisan model, where vocational training and paid work happen side by side. Trainees learn by doing whether weaving carpets, crafting furniture, or assembling brushes—under the guidance of experienced mentors.

Blend of Traditional and Adaptive Techniques

We honor Ethiopian weaving and woodworking traditions while incorporating adaptive tools and techniques that enable artisans with varying abilities to participate fully. Looms, brushes, and workstations are often customized to ensure accessibility and comfort.

Sustainable and Local Sourcing

We prioritize natural, locally sourced materials—such as sheep wool, cotton, and responsibly harvested wood—reducing environmental impact and supporting the regional economy.

Small-Batch, Quality-focused Production

Our items are crafted in small batches with attention to detail, durability, and aesthetic value. This allows for consistent quality controls and ensures each product meets both functional and market standards.

Integrated Social Enterprise Model

Production is not isolated from our mission: it fuels it. Revenues from product sales directly fund training programs, fair wages, and facility improvements, creating a self-reinforcing cycle of empowerment.

The majority of Productsion team is composed of blind and physically disabled artisans. We operate on an apprentice-to-artisan model, where vocational training and paid work happen side by side. Trainees learn by doing whether weaving carpets, crafting furniture, or assembling brushes—under the guidance of experienced mentors.

We honor Ethiopian weaving and woodworking traditions while incorporating adaptive tools and techniques that enable artisans with varying abilities to participate fully. Looms, brushes, and workstations are often customized to ensure accessibility and comfort.

We prioritize natural, locally sourced materials—such as sheep wool, cotton, and responsibly harvested wood—reducing environmental impact and supporting the regional economy.

Our items are crafted in small batches with attention to detail, durability, and aesthetic value. This allows for consistent quality controls and ensures each product meets both functional and market standards.

Production is not isolated from our mission: it fuels it. Revenues from product sales directly fund training programs, fair wages, and facility improvements, creating a self-reinforcing cycle of empowerment.

Recognition of Impact and Integrity

Throughout our decades of service, Hulegeb Association has been honored to receive formal recognition from government bodies, international partners, and civil society organizations.

Government and Regulatory Validation

Our association operates in full compliance with Ethiopian law and has been formally recognized by relevant authorities. Our most significant legal validation is our official re-registration certificate issued by the Civil Society Organization Authority on , under Ethiopian Civil Code and Associations Registration Regulation.

International and Partnership Recognitions

  • Christian Blind Mission (CBM)
  • Sudan Interior Mission (SIM)
  • Various Italian Catholic Missions and NGOs

Awards for Social Impact and Innovation

Specific awards can be listed here as received.