Empowered Women = Empowered Communities

I would like to share a story from the beautiful village of Gidansonga, where we met a Women’s Self-Help Group (SHG) named “Sera Meserat” (which translates to “work is the foundation”).

Women from the Sera Meserat SHG pose with their handmade pottery. [image description: a group of women are holding their handmade pottery]

The women of the Sera Meserat group shared their personal stories with us, highlighting the group's impact on their personal and community well-being. As part of the SHG curriculum, members participate in health and hygiene education, family planning, small business training, and weekly savings. Nearly all of the women have started their own small businesses and have diversified their income.

Bekelech, a member of the Sera Meserat SHG, is holding a jebena, a handmade coffee pot. [image description: a woman is holding a clay coffee pot]

Bekelech shared: “We have great hope for our children’s future. Truly, everything has changed. Small business training has been very helpful to us. The health workers met with us, and we learned about health and hygiene for ourselves and our children. Our children are attending school, and we are now able to afford school supplies for them. I have taken a loan to build my small business, and have learned how to better manage my money.”

Images above: Belaynesh (L) and Mulunesh (R) are holding their handmade pottery. [images description: (L) A woman is holding a clay coffee pot. ® A woman is holding a large, clay cooking platter]

Several of the women commented on the importance of ongoing educational training as members of their SHG. Mulunesh and Belaynesh commented, “Our household hygiene has improved since participating in health training.”

This supportive environment continues to create a ripple effect in the community. Million, the husband of an SHG member, commented, “Our worldview has changed, and our community is hopeful for our children’s futures.”

SHGs act as lifelines for the most vulnerable women in the communities we serve, providing education, support, friendship, and a place of belonging.