Category Archives: News

Overview News

Sher Ethiopia awarded by Fairtrade Africa

1 April 2022 Aswin Endeman
Gender equality presentation at Sher Ethiopia Fairtrade event

To commemorate the international women’s day celebrations, last week, Fairtrade Africa Eastern and Central Africa (ECAN) Network hosted an event named #breakingthebias in Ziway Ethiopia. This event (full report here) brought together producer champions including women led producer organizations from across East Africa to recognize, celebrate and exchange on their best practices and initiatives that have advanced gender equality and women empowerment within their producer organizations.

One day before the event, participants from Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, and Democratic Republic Congo visited Sher Ethiopia farm to meet the Gender Committee and to learn about their valuable work done related to disability inclusion and maternity leave. The group also visited Sher Ethiopia Hospital.

During the event on March 25, the Fairtrade Africa organization awarded Gender Champions from each country. For Ethiopia, Sher was awarded for being a leading organization when it comes to gender. The award and certificate were accepted by Adanech Duga (Chairperson) and Bodode Kilto on behalf of the Gender Committee. A great achievement.

Large group photo of Sher Ethiopia and Fairtrade Africa representatives Gender equality presentation at Sher Ethiopia Fairtrade event Sher Ethiopia team members with Fairtrade Africa certification display Sher Ethiopia's project visualization, illustrating sustainable development concepts or agricultural innovations. Sher Ethiopia receiving Fairtrade Africa award

Overview News

Gerrit & Nel Barnhoorn Scholarship awarded to 4 students

1 April 2022 Aswin Endeman
Large gathering for Barnhoorn Scholarship ceremony at Sher Ethiopia

On March 23, the first Gerrit and Nel Barnhoorn Scholarships have been awarded to four Sher-school graduates. This 4-year scholarship was established in 2021 in commemoration of the 50th wedding anniversary of Gerrit and Nel Barnhoorn. The Barnhoorn family are the founders of Sher Ethiopia and its schools. Each year 4 students (2 female and 2 male) are granted a scholarship that helps them to cover a part of their study-expenses and cost of living at a university of their choice in Ethiopia. The main goal of the scholarship is to help high achieving students with disadvantaged backgrounds.

On Wednesday Aziza Suleman, Kaleb Jemal, Tensae Minase and Yidnekachew Masresha received the first scholarships from John Barnhoorn, son of Gerrit and Nel Barnhoorn. On behalf of his family, he congratulated the winners and thanked the Sher School teachers and supporting staff for their hard work over the past 15 years. “The fact that Sher School has made such a positive impact over the years and has changed so many lives since my parents started to build the first nursery classrooms in 2006, fills their hearts with joy and happiness” John said.

This year a group of 205 students completed the Sher-schools starting from kindergarten up to grade 12 in High-School. Four of them received a the Barnhoorn scholarship and four others were given a laptop. The ceremony took place in the presence of the students’ families, Sher Ethiopia managers, community elders, Sher School staff, the parents committee and officials from the Education Office, the Investment Office, EHPEA and the Woreda Administration.

We thank Mr. and Mrs. Barnhoorn for their unwavering support for the Sher Schools and Hospital over the years and we are extremely proud of these students as they are a true example of the positive impact that Sher Ethiopia has on the community in Ziway and surrounding areas. We wish all our graduated students a bright future, wherever it may take them.

Sher schools in Ethiopia accommodate over 6500 students at three locations. Approximately 400 children – starting at the age of 4 – are admitted to Sher schools every year. Admission takes place on a 50-50 basis, with an equal split between the children of employees and children from the local community.

Barnhoorn Scholarship recipient at Sher Ethiopia ceremony Scholarship presentation ceremony at Sher Ethiopia Student receiving Barnhoorn Scholarship certificate at Sher Ethiopia Group photo of Barnhoorn Scholarship winners at Sher Ethiopia

Overview News

Lake Dembel Run

22 March 2022 Mariska Braam
Runners participating in Sher Ethiopia's Lake Dembel Run

On Sunday March 21 the first Lake Dembel Run was organized by the Oromia Tourism Commission, the Batu Mayor’s office and IDH. From Sher Ethiopia 100 participants competed in this running race (10 km) along the shores of Lake Ziway (currently branded as Lake Dembel).

The aim of the event was to create awareness on the need for sharing responsibilities for the shared resources of the lake and the catchment and for that to build stronger and better partnerships for joint action. On Friday before the race a lot of companies and citizens teamed up to clean the shores.

Congratulations to Tariku Rameto, a Sher employee who came in third place!

Lake Dembel Run promotional logo for Sher Ethiopia event

Overview News

Sher donates food to drought affected regions of Guij and Borana and

9 March 2022 Mariska Braam
Sher Ethiopia staff distributing food aid packages in drought-affected areas

Guji and Borana zones in Oromia are hit hard by the current drought. Sher Ethiopia has donated maize and wheat flour to help the people in need. On Monday 7th March, 2022, Ms Yezina Ayalew, Head of PR of Sher Ethiopia, handed over the food items to Mr. Abebe Daadhhii, coordinator for the food collection in Batu/Ziway. We thank the town administration for organizing the collection and transportation to Guji and Borena Zone.

Community members receiving food donations from Sher Ethiopia Sher Ethiopia trucks loaded with food aid supplies

 

Overview News

Sher endorses the importance of Code of Conduct for Floriculture

3 March 2022 Aswin Endeman
Sher Ethiopia staff reviewing floriculture Code of Conduct

As part of the floriculture sector we are pleased to adopt the new Code of Conduct. This Code provides 12 principles for responsible business conduct. The flyer summarizes the Code of Conduct and explains how it serves as an important starting point for risk assessment and a tool to support a due diligence process. The principles are based on existing sustainability requirements (including OECD- and UN-guidelines, legislation, and certifications) and have been adapted to the floriculture sector where relevant. We call up on our supply chain partners to embrace this code and join us on journey for continuous improvement.

Sher Ethiopia's Code of Conduct document cover page

Overview News

Second round of Covid vaccination started at Sher farms and schools

22 February 2022 Aswin Endeman
COVID-19 vaccination records being checked at Sher Ethiopia

Last week we started the second round of Covid vaccinations after the successful campaign in November 2021 where more than 12.000 employees and students were vaccinated. This second campaign is again organized by the employees of our hospital. Everybody is given a vaccination card to keep track of the vaccination dates and to create awareness on how to prevent Covid-infections. We are grateful to everyone involved in these campaigns and thank the local Health Office for providing the vaccines.

Employee receiving COVID vaccine at Sher Ethiopia vaccination station Healthcare worker administering COVID-19 vaccine at Sher Ethiopia facility Sher Ethiopia's field operations or community engagement activities, demonstrating sustainable development principles in practice.

Overview News

IDH, VoCDA and Sher agree to join the Worja catchment sustainability project

21 February 2022 Aswin Endeman
Partners meeting for Worja catchment project at Sher Ethiopia

We are pleased to announce that recently Sher, IDH and VoCDA (vision of community development association) have signed a one-year agreement for the sustainable protection and utilization of the Worja- Kamo micro catchment area. The main objective of this project is to establish a strong governance system by developing a functional and participatory site management plan and bylaws with active participation of beneficiaries and relevant stakeholders.  In this regard, conservation zones and livelihood options encompassing ecotourism schemes will be introduced. Subsequently, 350 household will benefit through:

  • NTFP (non-timber forest production)
  • apiculture (80 beehives)
  • the application improved variety of maize seed
  • fodder production
  • the planting of 50.000 drought resilient trees

A total of 285 ha of land will be under permanent sustainable management including 35 ha of individual farming land and 250 ha of communal land (Worja-kemo micro catchment) that have already been rehabilitated through bio physical conservation. Recreational establishments will give job opportunities for women and youths in the local community. This 70.000-euro project is funded by IDH and Sher Ethiopia. VoCDA is the implementing partner.

Document signing ceremony for Worja project partnership Site survey for Worja sustainability project Project planning session at Sher Ethiopia office Presentation of Worja catchment project at Sher Ethiopia Field visit during Worja catchment project planning

Overview News

Clean Up day

15 February 2022 Aswin Endeman
Team cleanup effort at Sher Ethiopia facilities

On Saturday we joined forces with the other four horticultural farms in Ziway to clean up the areas around the farm. 50 Sher-employees took part in the initiative where many tons of waste were collected and disposed at the municipality dumpsite. We thank our employees for their hard work and the environmental office for their cooperation in transporting the waste. Now let’s keep things clean!

Environmental maintenance at Sher Ethiopia Waste collection during Sher Ethiopia cleanup day Sher Ethiopia employees participating in cleanup day

Overview News

Sher trainees rewarded

14 February 2022 Aswin Endeman
Sher Ethiopia's irrigation system operating across flower cultivation fields

During November and December 2021 more than 450 of our supervisors and managers on our farms were put through a training course.  The training provided them skills on people management, communication, interpersonal relations and time management. The 2 day training included theory based learning and also practical, this enabled our managers and supervisors to understand how to deal with different situations that may arise during their operational practice.

The feedback on this training initiative of Sher Ethiopia was positive by all employees and the t-shirts we distributed to the team last week will be worn with pride by them. As we say to all our people managers:  ‘lead by example”  in all your (re)actions!

Sher Ethiopia trainee receiving achievement award Group photo of Sher Ethiopia training program graduates

 

Overview News

Update: Sher FPC Community Housing project

7 February 2022 Mariska Braam
Construction workers at Sher Ethiopia's FPC housing development site

The Sher Fairtrade Premium Committee is an independent workers initiative that allocates a share of their budget to support community projects. In 2021 the committee decided they wanted to help to improve the housing situation for some of the impoverished community members in Ziway. In close collaboration with the town administration, families in need have been selected to benefit from the project where 16 new apartments will be built. Sher FPC will pay for all materials and Sher Ethiopia has agreed to donate in the form of labour by the construction team.

Recently the foundations have been finished, and we have now started erecting the walls. We hope to finish the project by April says Andualem Abera (Construction Supervisor and General Assembly Chair Person).

Aerial view of Sher Ethiopia's housing construction site

Foundation work at Sher Ethiopia's community housing site