History

Founded in 1995 by Ato Yabowerk Haile with support from Action Aid Ethiopia, Pro Pride began its mission in Addis Ababa to empower disadvantaged communities. Initially focusing on savings and credit as an entry point, the organization quickly expanded into integrated development, including livelihood promotion, primary health care, and education. Significant infrastructure projects such as access roads and drainage canals were completed, and the period culminated in the transformation of its savings component into the user-owned Gasha Microfinance Share Company.

During this period, Pro Pride scaled its impact through microenterprise initiatives benefiting women in the Merkato and Entoto areas. The organization introduced the ACCESS approach to help school-age children gain essential literacy and numeracy skills while operating 11 health posts and two clinics. Partnerships with Concern Ethiopia allowed for expansion into neighboring woredas, where the organization launched HIV/AIDS prevention projects and Alternative Basic Education Centers (ABEC).

The organization extended its reach beyond the capital to the Oromia Region, promoting self-help groups for women in Chiro and Addis Ketema. A major milestone was the launch of the PC3 program in partnership with Save the Children, providing comprehensive care for orphans and vulnerable children in Dire Dawa and Hararghe. This era also saw the start of the TransACTION program, a USAID-funded initiative targeting high-risk populations for HIV prevention and support.

Pro Pride continued to grow in scope, implementing the TEACH project in the Somali Region to provide literacy to both children and adults. In the Amhara Region, the organization launched early-grade reading projects across 33 woredas. Health interventions were further strengthened through the MULU/MARPs project with PSI Ethiopia and the Yekokeb Berhan program, which provided vital support to highly vulnerable children in collaboration with Pact Ethiopia.

Focusing on systemic change, Pro Pride led the “Beyond Numbers” project to advocate for the rights of women and girls across several regions. The organization also established Drop-In Centers to provide treatment and health services to key populations in Addis Ababa and the Harari and Somali regions. When the pandemic hit, Pro Pride pivoted to support the Ministry of Peace through an Emergency Response Initiative, providing life-saving materials and leadership capacity to combat the effects of COVID-19.

In recent years, Pro Pride has championed women’s rights through the “Bearers of Life” project and addressed the devastating effects of war in Shewa Robit by helping women survivors heal and rebuild their livelihoods. Current initiatives include a major partnership with CARE Ethiopia to improve Menstrual Health and Hygiene (MHH) in Adama and the management of Global Fund-supported Drop-In Centers. Today, Pro Pride operates through five program offices and three satellite offices, continuing its legacy as a trusted partner for Ethiopia’s most vulnerable populations.