The Perfect Gift for Mother’s Day!
Almaz Gebretsadik in the middle joyfully embraces her fellow SHG members!
This Mother’s Day, May 9th, give the gift of transformative power by donating to WEEMA in honor of your mother or special woman in your life. Your donation will fund women-focused projects such as our Self Help Groups (SHG).
I would love to share Almaz’s story, a story of hope and overcoming poverty:
Almaz, a 45-year-old mother of 11, joined her local SHG in 2016 and started saving money. She was thrilled to learn that her son passed the 12th-grade exam and was accepted into university. However, she could not cover the cost of his school materials and transportation. Almaz felt hopeless. She decided to ask for a loan from her SHG. She was granted a small loan (1,500 birr, approximately $38), enough to cover her son’s university costs and purchase a donkey to help run her small business more efficiently. From that moment on, she was determined to change her whole family’s life. Almaz stated, “SHG is a bell which makes me awake from poverty sleep.” Her business flourished, and she used her earnings to provide for her family.
Four years later, her son graduated from university but was not able to find work locally. Again, she asked her SHG for a small loan and sent her son off to look for work. After some time, he found a job that paid well. He earned enough to build a new house for his mother and family. Almaz said, “my family life was completely changed, both economically and socially. I saved myself and my family from death and poverty.”
This story shows the ripple effect of our transformative, holistic programs. Your donation will help fund programs like our SHGs, empowering women and families for generations.
When you donate $50 or more, your mother/special person will receive a customized Mother’s Day package, complete with a handwritten card and a lovely organza pouch of green Ethiopian coffee beans. In Ethiopia, sharing coffee with family and friends is an integral part of building community. Join our WEEMA community in celebrating your mother or special woman this Mother’s Day with this thoughtful, love-filled gift.
Warmest Regards,
Gina DaCruz