GOALies in Action: Kal’s Story

From journalism to advocacy

My humanitarian journey began in 2013. I was among a group of journalists traveling in Ethiopia to report on the progress made by an international charity. During our visit to a small town, we uncovered a distressing practice: children as young as 15 and 16 were being sent to remote areas to work for minimal wages to support their families. This discovery was deeply unsettling for our team. We knew it couldn’t be accepted and felt we needed to speak out. We covered the story and called for change, sparking debate and outrage nationally. Thankfully, over time, our efforts began to make a difference.

This experience was a turning point for me. It convinced me that I could make a more significant impact in my life by supporting charities in their mission to improve the lives of local communities.

Kalkidan lives with his wife and two sons in Ethiopia

Becoming a GOALie

I went on to work for a local charity and later joined Save the Children in Ethiopia, taking on various communication roles. In 2020, when Covid-19 disrupted the world, Ethiopia was further burdened by armed conflict and natural disasters. In these challenging times, my desire to become a humanitarian was not just a choice; it was a necessity. This led me to join GOAL.

Transitioning from development work to humanitarian intervention was not easy. The pain and suffering I encountered in the communities was overwhelming. At first, I struggled to process their stories. There were moments when I was so moved by the interviews that I had to stop, unable to continue through the tears. But with the unwavering support of my colleagues, who had been with GOAL longer than I, and witnessing the positive impact of GOAL’s interventions, I found the strength to keep going. I learned to focus on the resilience and determination of the people we were helping, which inspired me to tell their stories.

Over time, I developed the resilience needed to face these challenges. When I visit projects in the field, I witness first-hand the impact of our work. I also speak directly with local communities to learn how our interventions are improving their lives. I strive to find out what more can be done to help them.

@goal_global What supports are available for #southsudan refugees in Gambela? Find out how GOALies are helping provide shelter, treat malnutrition in children, provide counselling and health awareness training in #ethiopia ♬ stellar (Slowed + Reverb) – .diedlonely & énouement

Proud to be a GOALie

I’m deeply proud of my work. When colleagues thank me for highlighting the success of their projects in engaging and impactful ways, I always remind them that it’s a team effort. It wouldn’t be possible without their support. And the fantastic support of generous donors. Every day I am fortunate to meet inspirational people. Despite the challenges life throws at them, they are determined to provide for their families. By sharing their stories, I hope to illustrate to our supporters, how together, we are transforming lives in Ethiopia.

At GOAL, we are there for vulnerable communities when they need us. Ensuring local communities know they are not alone in their time of need. Nothing makes me prouder or happier than this. While people need immediate support in times of hardship, what they need most is to know that someone cares about their pain and is doing everything possible to alleviate their suffering. As a humanitarian and communicator, I’m truly proud to play a small part in this.

GOAL’s ChildSPACE programme supports at risk children in Ethiopia

GOAL in Ethiopia

GOALies have been working in Ethiopia since the early 1980s. Our work focuses on alleviating poverty, addressing development challenges, and responding to humanitarian crises, such as drought, conflict and displacement. In 2023, GOAL teams supported over 3.6 million in Ethiopia. You can support GOAL’s work in Ethiopia with a donation today.