Equal Roots – growing equality in rural East Africa
Who eats, who earns and who decides is still shaped by gender – help us change that.
A future shaped by equality
For millions of women, poverty is about far more than money - women face entrenched barriers to land, income, safety and decision-making. They are locked out of the tools, knowledge and confidence to change things.
Ripple Effect’s Equal Roots Fund exists to change that. And it starts with supporters like you.
Yenu’s story: living in the face of inequality
Yenu is 28 years old. She lives in rural Ethiopia on a small plot of land given to her by her brother. She grows enset (false banana), maize and beans.
Her family eats well - for three months of the year. For the remaining months, hunger is a constant threat.
Her young son walks an hour each way to school. Yenu never had that chance. She was denied an education simply because she was a girl.
In her community, women were expected to stay silent. At meetings, Yenu learned not to speak, despite having the ability to lead.
Yenu, Ripple Effect project participant in Ethiopia
Breaking barriers, building futures
Ripple Effect works alongside women like Yenu to create lasting change.
With the right support, women can:
- Grow more food and feed their families year-round
- Build reliable incomes and financial independence
- Gain confidence, skills and leadership opportunities
- Challenge harmful gender norms in their communities
Our approach focuses on transforming entire communities rather than individual progress.
“I have taught many people. Among those I taught, some have started implementing the knowledge. I have shared the knowledge and even seeds as a gift from what I have received.” - Yenu
When one woman thrives, she lifts others with her.
Why this matters now
Yenu’s story is not unique.
Across rural East Africa, millions of women face the same barriers. But when women are empowered, the impact is transformative. Families eat better, children stay in school, incomes grow, and entire communities become more resilient.
This is why your support matters right now.
Help us reach our Spring Appeal target
We’re aiming to raise £42,500 to support women like Yenu, unlocking opportunity, strengthening livelihoods, and creating lasting change. Because when one woman thrives, she lifts whole communities with her.
Every donation helps:
- Empower women to lead
- Put food on the table
- Build sustainable incomes
- Create fairer, stronger communities
Give today and be part of growing equality for women across rural East Africa.
A vision for the future
Yenu’s hopes are simple, yet powerful. With your support, this future is within reach.
Yenu, pictured here with her family
Our Equal Roots fund unlocks potential by removing barriers for women, young people, and people living with disabilities or HIV/AIDS.
£25 could give a woman a voice and influence in decision making in her home.
£55 could shift mindsets at a community level so women, young people and people with disabilities have a say in decisions outside their home.
£100 can establish a community group for collective decision making, financial support, and equal opportunities amongst all members.
FAQ: Spring Appeal
The Equal Roots Spring Appeal is our fundraising campaign to raise £42,500 to support women, young people, and people with disabilities in rural East Africa. Your donation helps remove the barriers that keep people locked out of education, income, and decision-making and creates lasting change for entire communities.
The Equal Roots Fund is one of Ripple Effect's three thematic funds, focused on gender and social inclusion. It supports communities across rural East Africa to challenge harmful norms, strengthen women's leadership, prevent violence, and ensure everyone, including people with disabilities and those affected by HIV and AIDS, can fully participate in building a better life.
It is a five-year commitment running to 2030
Your gift will support Ripple Effect's work to empower women, young people, and people with disabilities in countries including Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and Zambia. Donations fund practical programmes such as women's leadership training, community safeguarding, accessible livelihoods support, and local childcare - enabling more people to farm, earn, and lead.
The Equal Roots Fund aims to raise £750,000 between 2026 and 2030 (£150,000 per year) to support this work, allocated as follows:
- £60,000 - Core gender and social inclusion programming, including gender dialogue, safeguarding, and inclusive delivery.
- £15,000 - Innovation, learning, and external influence.
- £75,000 - Flexible funding to strengthen organisational capacity and respond to emerging needs.
This flexible structure allows Ripple Effect to deepen proven approaches, test new ideas, and remain resilient in a challenging and changing operating environment.
Even a small gift goes a long way. £25 could give a woman a voice and influence in decision-making in her home. £55 could shift mindsets at a community level so women, young people, and people with disabilities have a say in decisions outside their home. £100 can establish a community group for collective decision-making, financial support, and equal opportunities for all members.
Regular giving helps us plan ahead and makes an enormous long-term impact. Any regular gift set up through this Spring Appeal donation form will go towards our Equal Roots Fund. If you'd like to set up a regular gift towards our general work instead, please visit our Make a Regular Gift page. Alternatively, you can call our Supporter Care team on 01225 874222 / 01225 688222 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm), and we'll be glad to help.
Want to hear good news stories from Africa, get involved in fantastic fundraising and be part of exciting events? Fill out your details below and we will keep you updated by email.