Diaconia helps in Ethiopia

The Diaconia also helps Ethiopian women. How has their situation changed thanks to the fundraising campaign? We describe the current story of one of them ...

Mrs Woode Asharge (31 years old) participated again, for a second year, in the Diaconia program that supports Ethiopian women and orphans. (We already wrote, in spring 2012 in the EB 24 report, about the work of Diaconia in Ethiopia).

Two years ago, Mrs. Woode was in a difficult position, which is the reality for hundreds of Ethiopian women: A terminally ill husband (AIDS) who left the family, leaving his HIV-positive wife destitute with three children. Mrs Woode could, thanks to funds provided by the Diaconia, buy a refrigerator and now runs a small bar where she offers chilled drinks.

What is the news now? This year she has a license for the sale of drinks and pays taxes on her income. Last year she sold a box of drinks daily, now she sells up to nine and plans to purchase another refrigerator with the money she has saved,. She has set up a garden where her customers can sit down. Also the family situation has changed: Her husband has decided to return. Mrs Woode rejected this initially. Then, however, she agreed that sometimes he could stay with her to see the kids. His health has partially improved and he now works as an assistant at the university. His income is not enough to participate in the upkeep of the family. For this, his wife must continue to pay.

Mrs Woode is one of the most successful women in the program. She was honored by the bank as a successful entrepreneur. The oldest son has very good results in school and wants to study to become a doctor. However, he is the only one of her children who is HIV positive.

The Diaconia has helped women in Ethiopia since 2008 "to stand on their own two feet." It has supported over 130 women out of the funds of the annual Lenten collection. The project enables the poorest women to start a small business that provides income and independence for them and their children.

This year's Lenten collection to support orphans in Ethiopia, proclaimed by the Centre for Humanitarian and Development Assistance Diaconia, lasts from 13 February to 29 March 2013. Details can be found on the website www.hrp.diakonie.cz.

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