Civil war and poverty in Ethiopia have torn apart families all over the country. Hareg hasn’t seen her husband in four years. Supporting two children as a single mother is a daunting task already. But compounded with the stress of her husband’s safety and an unstable economy, Hareg had every reason to despair.
“I couldn’t provide for the basic needs of my children,” Hareg said. “I was depressed and isolated from any social activities. I was filled with great worry and hopelessness. I passed through many sleepless nights.”
But then Hareg joined Convoy of Hope’s Women’s Empowerment program. In her classes, Hareg learned how to run her own business, start saving some of her profits, interact with customers, and give back to her community.
“My worries started to go away,” she said. “I felt relieved. I also started interacting with my neighbor and my social life improved.”
Now, Hareg runs a business selling clothes and shoes, and she dreams of expanding. “I want to see both of my children attend school with all the materials they need, graduate with good grades, and get jobs. This training has opened a new chapter in my life. I run my own business wisely. My business is doing well, and I earn enough to sustain my family.”
Hareg is one of 500 women in Convoy’s Women Empowerment program in Ethiopia. With your help, more and more women break the cycle of poverty for themselves and their families every day.
