Shelley & Helmy's Ethiopia Trip 2024: Mothers' Savings Groups (Copy)
Meeting with and hearing the stories of women who have had surgery for a prolapsed uterus is always incredibly moving, inspiring and motivating to continue fundraising so we can provide the funds needed to change other women’s lives.
The women both spoke of the physical pain, social isolation, psychological struggle and despair they felt. One of the women told Helmy and Shelley, “I have had a significant change in my life. I used to be in bed and could not go to church or the market. I could not work around my house and I did not want to be with my husband. Now I feel young and I am no longer carrying a very heavy load. I can go where I want to go and I have interest in my life again.”
Shelley & Helmy's Ethiopia Trip 2024: Mothers' Savings Groups
During Helmy and Shelley's time in Ethiopia, they visited with three of the mothers in the Girls Gotta Run Mothers’ Savings Groups. They learned how the women are taught to save and how through small loans, the mothers are able to start and grow small businesses.
Abebech is 42 and has three children. Her daughter Bethlehem is a Girls Gotta Run Athletic Scholar. Abebech worked in her brother's shop until she had her two younger children and then could not leave them to go to work. For 10 years, their family was reliant on the father's income as a daily labourer. That limited income has been reduced significantly due to the economy and decreasing demand for daily labourers.
Feeding their family had become very difficult. Since starting with the Mothers’ Saving Group, Abebech has been able to take small loans to start an avocado sandwich business. She was never able to save any money before - she didn't even think it was possible. But now, thanks to the Girls Gotta Run Mothers Group, she is able to save to pay back the two loans she has taken from the group's savings and is able to provide adequate food and care for her children.
She told Helmy and Shelley that in the Mothers Group she is learning about the reproductive system, how to parent and how to cope through difficult times. The support the group members provide one another is very helpful. Her children and husband see how hard she is working and they are proud of her and thankful for the difference it has made in their family.
"I feel very proud that I can provide for my family and that I can use my own money to support a friend in need. This gives me confidence," Abebech said.
Her daughter Bethlehem also helps her mom in the business when she is not in school. Bethlehem told us: “I like this business because it has reduced my mom's worry about how she will provide food and pay for school fees." Bethlehem said she thinks her mom is happier now and doesn't worry out loud anymore.
When Shelley asked if their relationship had changed at all since her mother was in the Mothers Group, Bethlehem said "there is a big difference in our relationship because in the past, I had to miss school and take care of my younger brothers so my mom could go and look for work. I have learned a lot because my mom has persisted even through all the challenges she has faced. I have learned that I will be able to succeed in a better way through learning, working and following what I have learned from my mom.”
Shelley & Helmy's Ethiopia Trip 2024: Training at Busajo
Just one of the reasons Helmy and Shelley are so impressed with Busajo is the fact they are training the older children a trade so they can earn a living. Bamboo furniture making, welding (look at the hospital examination beds they are now making), woodworking and cabinetry, soap making, fabric and leather furniture creation, weaving and tailoring are all skills being taught at Busajo.
The trades they teach have grown incredibly over the past few years. Sales of the goods they make help financially support the project. Bravo Busajo … Bravo!!!!
Shelley & Helmy's Ethiopia Trip 2024: Clothes & Activities for Busajo
It is always a pleasure to bring needed clothing and activities for the children at Busajo in Soddo. Marcella, Director and Bezuayehu, Staff Director are the heart and soul of this most extraordinary work.
They give their whole lives to help youth living on the streets in Soddo. When we sat with Marcella during the children’s dinner time, she said quietly to us (looking at all the children), “this is my tribe, this is my salary.” Those words say it all!
Thank you Marcella and Bezuayehu for your devotion, selflessness and love you show every day to the children you care for! If you would like to learn more about this incredible organization, please visit https://www.busajo.org/en/our-story.
Helmy also captured a special moment for Shelley at Busajo. Playing with and cuddling the children are some of Shelley’s favourite times on each trip!
Shelley & Helmy's Ethiopia Trip 2024: The WRAPS Cafe
More from Shelley and Helmy’s trip diaries! We love to see them experience this wonderful place
WRAPS (washable, reusable, affordable pads) has grown from 5 employees - when we first started to support this incredible work - to now over 40! The WRAPS Cafe began over two years ago and it is thriving!
The Cafe employs women who have been in very vulnerable situations. Many of the women attend school in the evenings, with some starting in the lower grades (since they did not have the chance to complete their education as children). We love women’s empowerment and WRAPS, through the leadership of Allison Karnes and the hard work of the women, has changed so many lives for the better.
Helmy and Shelley ate delicious food and drank fun beverages served at the WRAPS Cafe several times while they were in Soddo.
Shelley & Helmy's Ethiopia Trip 2024: Mother's Groups Meets WRAPS
Connecting the projects we support is always a thrill. Two of the staff from the WRAPS (washable reusable affordable pads) factory came to provide education to the Mothers Groups and their daughters in Girls Gotta Run about the menstrual cycle, how to care for reusable pads, what is healthy and what needs medical attention and how to protect yourself against sexual assault. Helmy and Shelley observed the session and were so impressed to see how the women and girls were taking in the information.
The value of education can never be overstated. Helmy and Shelley were touched when one of the women talked about how she and some other women stood up against a man who touched a young girl inappropriately. She told the other mothers they needed to be aware of the safety of all girls in their communities and to protect them. Mothers coming together to form a supportive community … we love it!!
Pictured here is Shelley bringing a message of love and support from Canada, Helmy (third from left) watching the presentation with the girls and mothers, and two WRAPS staff presenting on reusable pads and the human body.
Shelley & Helmy's Ethiopia Trip 2024: Mother's Groups
Helmy and Shelley’s first day in Soddo (after the early morning race in Arba Minch) was a special time with two mothers and their daughters who are in the Girls Gotta Run Foundation (GGRF) and the GGRF Mothers Groups.
The story behind these mothers and daughters is long, and when Shelley first met them, they were in a very desperate state. Over the past five years, the mothers have become able to support themselves and their daughters, their health is now good, the girls were accepted into the GGRF program at an early age at our request and are being educated, fed and their confidence is building.
The mothers are in the Mothers Savings Group and have learned so much. One of the mothers told us that she has never belonged to any social group or had friends. Now, she feels supported, knows she belongs somewhere and understands she and her daughter have value. Another mother explained that she had never been taught how to be a good parent. Through the teachings in the GGRF Mothers Group and watching how others were caring for her daughter, she realized she needed to do better. She and her daughter now have a much better and loving relationship. She said that in the past no one ever thought she and her daughter would accomplish anything and now she knows they can both accomplish a lot.
When the mothers were recalling their past, the desperation, helplessness, stress and pure emotion was palpable - even listening in a language Helmy and Shelley don’t understand. The mothers and young girls were in tears sharing the desperation of that time in their lives. An individual donor from Mothers with a Heart for Ethiopia, MWAHFE as an organization, and Girls Gotta Run made these outcomes possible. Change does not happen overnight, but hearing where these families are today - and looking back to when Shelley first met them - was very emotional and made the trip to Ethiopia all worthwhile.
Shelley & Helmy's Ethiopia Trip 2024: Girls Gotta Run Race
Helmy and Shelley were invited to attend a huge race in Arba Minch, where 10 athletic scholars from Girls Gotta Run were competing.
Two of the girls ran in a top division and placed very well! Hundreds of people came out to participate in the race. To warm up, they danced and had a great time.
It was a fun intro to Ethiopia for Helmy.
Check out the photos of the 10 girls who competed, Girls Gotta Run program manager Kidist Daniel and Coach Amsale.
Thank you to Kidist and Amsale for investing so much into the girls to help them build confidence, life skills and a hope for the future.
Amazing News from Tesfa’s Shelter!
There are now 72 children sponsored!
This includes SEVEN new sponsors who signed up at this year's Gems & Java - thank you, thank you, thank you to all of our incredible and dedicated sponsors! You are providing clothing, food, medical supplies and special treats such as a small monthly birthday party. Many children have never, ever been celebrated on the day of their birth.
Team Tesfa has grown so much since it was launched less than two years ago!! Sponsors now cover the needs of more than three-quarters of children at the shelter. We are so grateful.
Remember, you don't have to do it alone. We have many pairs or small groups that split the $1,000 annual cost to sponsor a child. Team Tesfa is a special group.
