Women’s Self-Help Groups empower their members to create better futures for themselves, their families, and the community.

Hiwot’s parents were encouraged to hear about the educational, emotional, and social support available to their daughter and agreed to send her to school immediately.

“…For me, it was unthinkable that I would have a chance to live again. But my God sent WEEMA workers to me. I see them as angels who came to me with good news.”

Recently, our staff visited Hambo Primary School, and upon arrival, were warmly greeted in sign language by students and teachers.

The ripple effect of women’s self-help groups is transformative to women, their families, and the larger community.

In 2024, 545 pregnant women and 17 husbands attended the conferences to learn about issues impacting their health and wellbeing.

Afterschool tutoring, including sign language training and homework support, is essential for students with disabilities who started school at a later age; helping to decrease their education gap.

Community involvement is critical for water projects to become sustainable.

Investing in quality school libraries is essential- they provide a quiet and safe space for students to access books and educational resources, and give them the space to collaborate and explore their interests with their peers.

The Degale Library is busy on most school days, full of students studying and using the resource materials. Last year (2023), over 20,000 people visited the library!

Demekech, along with 39 other women, participated in extensive pottery training. Since then, she’s worked hard to improve her handmade products.

There is a lot of support and skills surrounding Tsedeke, his family, and other children with disabilities.

Lack of access to clean water impacts every aspect of a woman's life. But Kedija’s life changed for the better when a water station was built near her home.

A group of eight women from the village of Farsuma mobilized their community to build a kindergarten for their youngest children. The nearest school for these youngsters was much too far away for them to walk safely.

We are committed to addressing gender equality across all our program areas by focusing on improving the lives of girls, women, and the most vulnerable in our communities.

Recently, our staff visited Asrat, his wife Dinknesh, and their four young children in the beautiful village of Osheto. Asrat and Dinknesh participate in multiple projects, including our farmers' support project, adults with disabilities project, and women's self-help group.

We recently met Mesert, a 22-year-old student with a physical disability, at Mudula Primary School.

Uterine prolapse is a significant public health concern, affecting women's overall health and well-being in the communities we serve.

Tadewos is an unconventional student at Gaecha Primary School- he couldn’t attend school as a young boy because he had significant vision problems, but he never gave up.

In 2019, I finally saw students with different disabilities attending our school!

Women's Self-Help Groups have genuinely made a positive impact on the lives of many women in the communities we serve.

Girls at Saruma School have access to support and period care, and it ‘s creating a huge impact on the number of girls attending school.

Etanish’s women’s self-help group gathers every Wednesday morning.

Inclusive Education is Changing Lives for Children and Adults with Physical Disabilities in Southwest Ethiopia

We met Aster last fall when she and 58 additional farmers joined our farmer support pilot project. She’s not only improved the lives of her family but also the lives of other women in her community.

This past February, we met Bezawit, a third-grade student, at the Balela school reading room.

We have partnered with the Himalayan Cataract Project on seven cataract surgical campaigns since 2014, and this year's partnership was, as always, truly remarkable.

We met Osse at Hossana Hospital as he awaited his bilateral cataract surgery.

Early-grade mother-tongue books were delivered to the Balela and Saruma schools during our visit to Ethiopia, and more will be distributed over the next several weeks.