And the Winner Is…Ethiopia’s First Women’s Barista Champion!

There was much excitement and celebration as two women from our Family Empowerment Program received the unexpected and remarkable honour of competing in the first-ever women-in-industry barista competition in Ethiopia!

Libanos Teka and Mulunesh Chekol stepped forward with confidence, presenting their signature drinks and barista skills before a distinguished group of officials, including the European Commissioner for International Partnerships and the Director of the Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority, alongside a panel of judges, invited guests, and a full audience. For two women who grew up in extreme poverty, this opportunity was far beyond what they could have imagined just a few years ago, making it a truly meaningful and inspiring achievement.

"And the winner is… Mulunesh Chekol!"

It was a moment of great surprise, joy and pride as her name was announced!  

This achievement carries deep meaning for all of us who have walked alongside Mulunesh. It reflects not only skill and talent, but years of perseverance, growth, and steady transformation. Mulunesh joined HFK three years ago as a single mother facing extremely difficult circumstances. At that time, she was selling cabbages on the street to support her children and living in a small makeshift shelter made of scrap wood and mud. Life was marked by uncertainty, and opportunities felt very far away.

Through the HFK Empowerment Program, Mulunesh was able to attend the Coffee Training Center Ethiopia, Ethiopia’s premier training center. That opportunity became a turning point in her journey. It eventually led to a full-time position at Esset Coffee, a high-end coffee shop, where she has continued to grow in both confidence and skill. Today, Mulunesh is building a stable future for herself and her children. Her first-place win is a beautiful reflection of how far she has come, and of her continued determination to keep moving forward.

We are also proud of Libanos, who represented the program as one of the finalists and performed with great professionalism and confidence throughout the competition.

Moments like these are a powerful reminder of why this work is so important. We are deeply grateful to celebrate Mulunesh, Libanos, and all the women in our program who continue to grow, persevere, and create new possibilities for their families and futures. This is truly life-changing work, and it is a privilege to be part of it.