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Drei Frauen zeichnen ihren Weg
(Beispiele von geförderten Frauen, mitgeteilt von einem Partner in Äthiopien)
Room renting and small shop (Mrs. Lubuaba, 42, widow with 4 children)
Lubuaba lost her husband 7 years ago. Before his death, the income of their small grocery was mainly used for medicinc. The widow was left without any means to cover the daily need of the family.
Two years ago Lubuaba applied to the Programme Committee for a first credit of Birr 1000.- ($ 110.-). The credit was approved and she got the basic business training and individual advice.
The loan helped her to build three small rooms at the backyard of her hut. She rented them for Birr 150 monthly. This encouraged her to realize a second business idea, and after a full repayment of the first loan she lended Birr 2000 and restarted the small shop. Soon the grocery was running well, and the profit was sufficient to repay the credit and to satisfy the basic family demand. Then the first son completed the 10th grade of school and was without a job. Lubuaba acquired a third loan, which enabled the son to open a clothes shop of his own. She says: "Life has completely changed for me, for my son and for my other children due to the Swisshand fund. Now I am a successful business lady in my village and can even help my son to work self-employed".
Social impact: She has a regular income from renting the rooms. She runs a small shop with profit, and she has enabled one of her sons to be a young entrepreneur. She has become a selfconscious woman; all her children have got access to school and live in a much better situation. Lubuaba is independent now and looks ahead with confidence.
Cattle rearing (Bizunesh, 37 years, married with six children)
Bizunesh is living with her second husband in the rural part of Seqa. Eigth months ago she got the business training and a loan of Birr 1'000 to buy one cow for dairy activities and three goats for rearing, as well as two local chicken. She is lucky, her goats already have breeded. Bizunesh is selling milk and eggs, and the young goats are ready for sale. Her husband and the children help in the agricultural activities, and the family has a regular income. She can even support the education of her children who are living with her first husband.
As chairwoman of the village's women group she is not only an entrepreneur, but also a social activist. She has initiated various training and information sessions. Hence she is helping her group members and neighbours by sharing information on HIV/AIDS, agricultural inputs, family planning, etc.
Bizunesh says: I am very happy to share my knowledge with others.. I do not have any more sorrow, my sorrows have gone. Thanks to the Swisshand fund I am living with hope. Now I am planning to change my old roof with new iron sheet. I have prepared some construction material for this purpose. I have a big vision for my children.
Social impact: She has improved the living conditions of her family. She involves her unemployed husband, and the children help in the daily farming work. The family is independent. As a leader she has very positive influence in the women group.
Pottery (Keriya Ahmed, married with three children)
Keriya has been in pottery work since her childhood. She learned the skill from her parents. Her husband is an ex soldier, and his small pension cannot sustain the family. For years their house was in a very bad condition and school attendance not possible for the children.
Keriya produces plates for enjera (Ethiopian f1at bread) making. With the first loan of Birr 1'000 she could expand the pottery work and produce 30 plates per week, selling them for Birr 8-10 each. From the profit she has enlarged their small hut to a two rooms house with an iron sheet roof. Now the family is under proper shelter, and there is a dry space to shelve her fragile products. She is planning to send her daughters to school. Keriya says: I have many thanks to the Swisshand programme. Currently I have fully repaid the credit and would 1ike to apply for a second one in order to buy a milk cow for my family.
Social impact: She has reached much better working conditions in the bigger and dry house and thus can produce enough to feed her family properly. Even access to school will be possible for her daughters. Her enthusiasm to change life might encourage other people with artisan skill.
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Swisshand
Stiftung Offene Hand
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