Gudina Tumsa Foundation - GTF

24/06/2026

24/06/2026

24/06/2026

🌱 𝐆𝐓𝐅 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐢 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧 🚜💧
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🌿 Gudina Tumsa Foundation (GTF), through its Health and Livelihood Improvement Advocacy Project in Somali (HaLIAPS), convened a high-level validation workshop in Jigjiga to review and validate the findings of two important studies: Assessment of Agricultural Extension Services and Technologies and Constraints to Irrigation Development and Efficient Water Use in the Somali Region.

🤝 The research was commissioned by GTF and conducted by the Somali Region Livestock and Agricultural Research Institute (SoRLARI). The workshop brought together senior officials from the Somali Regional State, technical experts, researchers, development partners, and other key stakeholders to deliberate on the findings and recommendations.

🎤 Opening the workshop, Mr. Mohammed Sharif, Director General of SoRLARI, emphasized the practical value of the studies in addressing critical challenges facing the agricultural sector.
“This research provides a strong foundation for addressing the challenges identified and for designing practical interventions that can improve agricultural productivity, irrigation development, and the livelihoods of pastoral and agro-pastoral communities,” he said.

In his welcoming remarks, Mr. Iyobed Yonas, Programs Director of GTF, noted that the studies emerged from a participatory process involving stakeholders from the outset and reflected shared regional priorities. “These are not simply our research projects; they are the result of shared priorities and collective decisions made by stakeholders across the region,” he stated.

He further underscored the importance of partnership, highlighting GTF's collaboration with SoRLARI to ensure that the research generates lasting benefits for farmers, pastoralists, and policymakers in the region.

Mr. Teshome Bula, HaLIAPOS Project Manager, on his part, stressed that the validated findings will be disseminated to relevant stakeholders and translated into policy briefs for regional decision-makers.“Our ultimate goal is improvement. The evidence generated through this research will help strengthen existing policies, address implementation gaps, and support the development of new policies where necessary,” he said.

📖 The studies identified key challenges…. For more detail dive into our website here: https://gudinatumsafoundation.org/2026/06/24/rvs/

24/06/2026

24/06/2026

23/06/2026

𝐆𝐓𝐅 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐬 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭-𝐎𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬 🎓🎉
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A total of 107 youths graduated today after successfully completing vocational and skills development training supported by Gudina Tumsa Foundation (GTF) under its Lega Tafo Lega Dadhi Youth Social and Economic Empowerment Project Phase II. The graduation ceremony unfolded in a warm, colorful, and deeply inspiring atmosphere, celebrating the achievements of young people who have been equipped with valuable skills to enhance their livelihoods and future opportunities 🎉👏

The graduates received training in five market-oriented fields: garment production, pottery, weaving, bamboo craft, and computer/digital literacy. 🧵🏺🪵💻 The training was designed to enhance employability, promote entrepreneurship, and strengthen the economic participation of young people. 🚀🌱

The graduation ceremony brought together representatives from government institutions, community leaders, development partners, and other stakeholders who commended the graduates for their dedication and achievements. 🤝👏🎊

Speaking at the event, GTF Livelihood Development Program Manager, Mr Deme Debela, emphasized that skills development remains a key pathway for empowering youth and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities. 🌟👨‍🎓 He noted that equipping young people with practical and digital skills is essential for improving their economic prospects and enabling them to contribute meaningfully to their communities. 💡💼🌍

The ceremony also provided an opportunity for graduates to showcase the knowledge and skills they acquired throughout the training period, reflecting their readiness to pursue employment, self-employment, and other income-generating opportunities. 🎯💪✨

23/06/2026

𝐆𝐓𝐅 𝐔𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐢𝐥𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧’𝐬 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭
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As the gentle winds of the Somali plains swept across Jigjiga City this morning, carrying with them the scent of resilience from distant pastoral fields, officials, leaders and experts gathered in the heart of the regional capital to chart a stronger path toward women’s economic empowerment.

Inside the elegant hall of Duule Hotel, where the white floor reflected the morning light like a calm riverbed after the rains, participants assembled beneath a white ceiling adorned with smooth decorative lights that shimmered like stars scattered across the vast Somali sky.

The workshop, organized by Gudina Tumsa Foundation (GTF) under its Health and Livelihood Improvement Advocacy Project in Somali (HaLIAPS), focused on the validation of the key findings of a comprehensive study entitled “The Role of Women’s Economic Organizations on Women’s Economic Empowerment in Somali Regional State.”

The event brought together officials and representatives from regional government bureaus, women’s institutions, financial institutions, and other pertinent stakeholders from across the region. The primary objective was to present the study’s findings, solicit feedback from key stakeholders, and build consensus on actions needed to strengthen women’s economic empowerment in the Somali Region.

Opening the workshop, Mr. Iyobed Yonas, Program Director of Gudina Tumsa Foundation, emphasized the Foundation’s unwavering commitment to women-centered development. “In everything the Foundation does, women are at the heart of our work,” he said. According to him, the research presented today provides a valuable contribution toward identifying practical pathways for women’s empowerment and strengthening their role in economic transformation.

For more details, visit our website: https://gudinatumsafoundation.org/2026/06/23/gtfhaliapsrvw/

22/06/2026

📢 𝐆𝐓𝐅 𝐋𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐊𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞𝐲𝐚𝐡
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Today, Gudina Tumsa Foundation (GTF) officially launched the Community Advocacy and Engagement Project in Kebribeyah town, Somali Regional State. The project will be implemented in Kebribeyah District to strengthen community participation and improve access to information.

The launch workshop brought together officials from the Somali Regional State, Office of the President, Fafan Zone, Kebribeyah District administration, kebele leaders, community representatives, National ID Program (NIDP) representatives and other key stakeholders. The event provided an important platform for collaboration and dialogue among stakeholders committed to advancing inclusive community development.

Nestled within the vast and beautiful plains of the Somali Region, where refreshing winds sweep across the open landscape and pastoral traditions have flourished for generations, Kebribeyah reflects the resilience, hospitality, and rich cultural heritage of the Somali people. Just as the winds travel freely across the plains, connecting communities and bringing renewed energy, the project seeks to foster stronger connections between citizens, institutions, and service providers to ensure that community voices are heard and acted upon.
During the workshop, presentations were delivered on the project's objectives, implementation work plan, stakeholder roles and responsibilities, and key findings from the baseline assessment. The discussions that followed enabled participants to share insights, reflect on local realities, and strengthen a common understanding of the project's goals and expected outcomes. The active engagement of participants further reinforced collective ownership and commitment to the successful implementation of the initiative.

Supported by the Gates Foundation, the project aims to strengthen community advocacy and engagement, enhance public awareness and access to information, promote inclusive participation, amplify community voices, strengthen accountability and grievance-handling mechanisms, and improve access to essential services for underserved communities. The initiative will also contribute to increasing community awareness and utilization of key public services, such as the Fayda Digital ID system and other citizen-centered services.

Since its establishment, GTF has remained committed to serving marginalized communities across including communities in the Somali Regional State through its development and humanitarian interventions.

GTF is honored to work alongside the people and institutions of Somali Regional State and remains committed to advancing sustainable, community-driven developments.