ETHIOPIA - The Ethiopian highlands are the largest mountain complex in Africa. Long-term human occupation, accompanied by sedentary agriculture, extensive cattle herding, and consistent population pressure, has resulted in extensive deforestation and environmental degradation in the region. In Ethiopia, where 84% of the population lives in poverty, extreme civil unrest has been an ongoing issue. Despite this tension, participants have completed entrepreneurial training to learn how to thrive in Ethiopia's unique market. This is driving economic empowerment throughout the program. This year Ethiopia was able to establish 162 new Purpose Groups, compared to just 18 groups the previous year. We worked with 4,347 VSLA members, planted over 1.38M trees to date, worked and influenced over 30,000 individuals, and more.