Ethiopia's Spice Girls admit they are coping just fine without UK aid money a year after the British Government cut funding following a public outcry

The girl band Yegna received £4m of British taxpayers' money for aid projects
A year on they are playing to 10,000-strong crowds and looking at sponsorship
Department for International Development axed funding after a public outcry

The founders of Ethiopia's Spice Girls have admitted the band is getting on just fine without UK aid money.

The girl band Yegna received £4million of British taxpayers' money as part of a wider programme aimed at empowering women in Ethiopia.

But they had their funding stopped last year following a public outcry as ministers admitted the money could be better spent elsewhere.

And in an interview a year later the pop group's founders have admitted the band has carried on despite the funding cut.

The band has got funding from anonymous charitable givers and is exploring sponsorship deals according to reports..

The founders of Ethiopia's Spice Girls (pictured) have admitted the band is getting on just fine without UK aid money

While members of the pop group said they have played to 10,000-strong crowds of fans.

Zebiba Girma, one of the band members, told The Guardian: 'There were over 10,000 spectators, it was amazing.

'Some women, who looked like us, came to the back of the stage and told us their life stories.'

Gayathri Butler, country director for Girl Effect - the project which covers the band - attacked the backlash the funding encountered in the UK.

She said: 'And also a reduction of what we actually do. The representation of the Spice Girls, it was just taking what they had seen as a reduction of the brand, because that was what's facing the international audience.

Priti Patel (pictured outside No10 last year) announced she was axing the funding last year, saying British aid money could be spent in better ways

'We're a brand created by Ethiopians and for Ethiopians.'

Brand director Bemnet Yemesgen said: 'We have created music that people want to buy, so we're considering commercialising some of the products we own.'

Priti Patel announced she was axing the funding last year, saying: ‘We have taken the decision to end our partnership following a review of the programme.

‘Empowering women and girls around the world remains a priority, but we judge there are more effective ways to invest UK aid and to deliver even better results for the world’s poorest and value for taxpayers’ money.’ Read from here

Ethiopia Today

Tuesday, March 6, 2018