Hadinet G/Medhin was 20 years old when she became both visually and hearing impaired in 1988 as the result of a grenade attack. It was not the first time that she was wounded. "I have received a bullet wound near my waist", Hadinet explains, "but had continued in active service. Then, one afternoon, a guy threw a granade at me. It hit the ground but the explosion caused damage to my head. I didn't lose consciousness and I felt no pain except in my ears, which still hurt today".When she recovered from her wounds, Hadinet again returned to active service. She did not just fight, however. "While I was a soldier I also got very basic training as an electrician", says Hadinet. "I like it a lot. I used to work on electrical connections, when the war was over my skills were not needed any more. When we got this house three years ago I set up all the electric connections myself. The training I received was very basic, I would need more knowledge to be able to work as an electrician now. And, in any case, although I like working with electricity, what I would really like is to be a nurse."


A picture of Hadinet at her shop

Born into a farming family in Adwa which is located in Tigray, Hadinet worked on the farm before 'joining the struggle' with her sister and two brothers. While she was a soldier she went to school and finisher 6th grade. "I started 7th grade ", she says, "but had to stop when i gave birth to twins. I already had two children to look after ". Three years ago Hadinet and her husband, also a former soldier, used their rehabilitation money to buy a house. "Some relatives also helped us financially", Hadinet says.
'we both have to earn money. My husband sells construction materials and wholesales teff, wheat and pulses. I tried to develop a milk business, producing, buying and selling milk. The profit was not good and then my cow died so I decided to end the milk business. Instead, four months ago I borrowed some money from relatives and set up a shop in front of my house. I sell sugar, coffee, soap, washing powder, stationary materials, plastic shoes and other goods. I manage the shop myself byt make business decisions and do record keeping jointly with my husband. I dont know yet what my monthly sales will be". Hadinet's shop is only three blocks away from the main market. "There are four other shops like mine in this neighbourhood" , says Hadinet, "but the market is my main competitor. Most of my customers are neighbours and people from the countryside who pass by." Despite this, Hadinet's aspiration for the future is to expand her shop. "I would like to become a wholesaler. Since I cant afford to study nursing I had better concentrate on this business. It is a simple business but i feel that I have no other choice, especially given my impariments".