I worked there for five years but then my leg started to hurt and I asked to be pensioned." Widowed, and now in her early thirties, Letensea has no children of her own but supports her blind sister and her children. "When I left the factory I was given 4000 birr (about US$400) ", Letensea says. "I used half for food and invested the rest in my business." Letensea has been running a small stall in the market for a year now. "I felt that this kind of business matched my skills", she says.  She sells coffee, sugar, soap, washing powder, hair oil, stationery, plastic shoes and other items.


 "I find out what the villagers want and stock those things", Letensea says, "although some of my products, like plastic shoes and hair treatments, don't sell well. My range isn't any different from what other trades people
are selling in the market. I keep sales records by counting the products I have every two weeks. I don't have a bank account but I am part of a traditional savings scheme.  I try to save five birr every day. I'm not really sure who my customers are, but I seem to make a profit of 50 birr (around US$5) a month.

"Letensea wants to finish her education, so she enrolled at evening school and is studying 8th grade. "I dream of being a good trader, a real professional. That is why I decided to continue with my studies. I really like what I'm doing. My life is my work. "Letensea attributes her positive attitude to her time in the forces. "I learnt that I had the strength to endure difficulties", she says. "I also learned that women and men are equal and that women can be leaders. In all I learned the ups and downs of life. The result of the fighting has been peace and that is our contribution to our country.