Support Self-Help Groups for Women in Ethiopia

Hope for Justice would like to thank our donors for supporting our Self-Help Groups in Ethiopia. Thanks to our donors' generosity, we continue empowering women like Ayelech to build resilience against child trafficking.  

Mother-of-five Ayelech first became involved with the Self-Help Group after hearing an information session run by community facilitators and one of Hope for Justice's project officers. She learned how the group operates, and how members support each other, both financially and emotionally. The groups save collectively, and members take turns receiving loans, enabling them to become more self-sufficient and reduce the future risk of trafficking for the whole family. Ayelech shared how participating in one of Hope for Justice’s Self-Help Groups has transformed her family.

“Hope for Justice has played a significant role in my life, not only by providing information and guidance but also by fostering a supportive network that encourages personal and economic growth. Being a part of the Self-Help Group has given me hope and a sense of purpose. Overall, the impact of Hope for Justice on our lives has been profound. The organization has empowered us with the knowledge and skills to become better parents, and for that, I am deeply thankful.”

She explained that, before joining a Self-Help Group, she and her husband did not forward plan financially. They were primarily occupied with their roles and responsibilities, often overlooking their children’s wellbeing. Ayelech is now an active member, attending weekly meetings and participating in the group’s activities. Inspired by what she learned, Ayelech taught her husband about the importance of saving.

Since participating in the good-parenting training provided by Hope for Justice, Ayelech and her husband have shifted their focus towards their children’s overall wellbeing and development. They allocate specific times for play and study. Additionally, they provide a balanced diet for their children. They actively engage in their children’s schoolwork, regularly checking their textbooks and monitoring what they are learning. If they notice any decline in their academic performance, they communicate with teachers to find ways to better support their children.

Ayelech said: “The parenting training has truly transformed our approach to raising our children. Both my husband and I have gained a deeper understanding of effective parenting techniques, moving away from traditional methods that we previously relied on. We are now more attentive, supportive, and nurturing towards our children, thanks to the guidance and education provided by Hope for Justice. I am profoundly grateful for the continuous assistance and follow-up from the organisation.”

Ayelech said that her husband’s attitude towards family life has also improved drastically thanks to the Self-Help Group. She said: “He now spends quality time with our children. He has taken on the role of mentor, giving lectures to our two sons and three daughters about life and guiding them towards better behaviour. This is a remarkable transformation from his previous methods of dealing with their mistakes.”

Eager to share these positive changes, Ayelech has extended her efforts beyond the home. She now teaches her neighbours about effective parenting and how they can better support their children's growth and development. She said: “Sharing this knowledge with my community feels rewarding, and I am committed to helping others benefit from what I have learned. 

Hope for Justice would like to thank our generous donors for your support towards our Self-Help Groups in Ethiopia. Thanks to your support, women like Aster have been financially and socially empowered through pooled savings, loans and training in effective parenting, child protection, anti-trafficking, communication, and other skills.

Aster is a leader at a ‘cluster level association’ (CLA), which represents multiple Self-Help Groups in a certain region, each of which elects a representative to attend the CLA. Hope for Justice’s CLA members and community facilitators often sit on local Child Rights Councils across Ethiopia. Through participation in our Self-Help Groups, Aster has received full training in safeguarding, child protection and anti-trafficking. Thanks to that training, she has identified six separate children in her area who were being exploited and abused.

A few months ago, Aster identified a vulnerable 10-year-old child she found crying on a nearby main road. She discovered that the child had been groomed and trafficked into domestic servitude in the community, having grown up a long way away. Aster reported the situation to the authorities, but as there was no emergency shelter and it was late, she made the decision to look after the girl in her own home overnight, then referred her to the local Women and Children’s Bureau for reintegration with her family.

Prior to this incident, Aster had similarly identified a further five children who were facing exploitation and abuse, including cases of human trafficking. A member of the Hope for Justice team praised her vigilance and hard work and said: “Because of Aster’s training by our staff on child rights, exploitation and safeguarding, she has been able to positively address these protection issues in her community.”