Our
Projects

Soup Mekelle
Soup Mekelle is our community funding platform designed to empower grassroots development and social impact across Mekelle and the wider Tigray region.
Our project is simple, democratic, and powerful:

1. Pitch & Present: Local development groups, social entrepreneurs, and community organizers pitch their ideas for vital, sustainable projects to a live audience.

2. Eat & Vote: Attendees pay a small entry fee, which includes a simple bowl of soup. Every bowl purchased translates into a vote for the project they believe will make the greatest difference.

3. Direct Funding: At the end of the evening, the project that receives the most votes wins 100% of the funds raised through ticket and soup sales, ensuring direct investment into community-selected solutions.

Tigray International Literary Festival
The Tigray International Literary Festival (TILF) is a celebration of the enduring power of storytelling, language, and the written word. Born from a commitment to cultural resilience, TILF provides a crucial platform for the vibrant and often-silenced voices of the Tigray region.
Its mission: To foster literary growth, preserve cultural heritage, and amplify the unique narratives of Tigrayan writers, scholars, and poets.
In a region that has faced profound challenges, we bring together local and international authors, poets, and readers to share, debate, and celebrate literature written in Tigrinya, Amharic, and English.
The Festival is dedicated to:

• Amplifying Local Voices: Providing a global stage for emerging and established Tigrayan writers.

• Cultural Preservation: Highlighting the rich literary history, ancient texts, and linguistic heritage of the region.

• Fostering Dialogue: Creating a space for honest, critical, and healing conversations through the arts.

Through readings, panels, workshops, and publishing support, the Tigray International Literary Festival champions the idea that storytelling is essential to survival, identity, and the process of building a brighter future.

CFJ Writers Summer Program

The CFJ Writers' Summer Program is an intensive writing and cultural initiative designed to nurture emerging and established voices. Rooted in the spirit of community, creative exchange, and the commitment to social impact that defines Cactus Fruit Journal, this program provides a focused, supportive environment for writers dedicated to exploring powerful themes of identity, resilience, social change, and the human condition in their work.

This is more than a workshop—it's a creative retreat and training ground. Participants will engage in:

• Intensive Workshops: Focusing on craft, from narrative structure and character development to revision and professional submission strategies.

• Mentorship: Receiving personalized feedback and guidance from established authors and editors.

• Cultural & Creative Integration: Exploring the intersection of personal experience, global events, and creative expression to produce impactful work.

Our aim is to equip writers not only with enhanced technical skills but also with a global network and the professional tools necessary to get their voices published and heard. The Summer Program is a commitment to investing in the next generation of storytellers who seek to make both a literary and a tangible difference in the world.