“I never thought that I could be independent, but everything has changed.”
Twenty-six-year-old Fekerte Ejigu lives in Cherecha kebele of Minjar Shenkora wereda with her two children. Both of her children have special needs while Fekerte also shows signs of moderate mental disability.
Fekerte and her two children have been living with an elderly woman and her family for roughly six months. Although the woman has no familial relations with Fekerte, she took them in generously and without reservation. However, Fekerte always felt discomforted by the burden she imposed on the elderly woman’s family. She always thought that one day she will be self-reliant.
Fekerte enrolled in the YB-HVC program. Through the program she has received different services like scholastic material and sanitation material. After she enrolled in the program, she eventually became a member of the Community Self-Help Saving Group (CSSG).
“My case worker informed me of the importance of CSSG membership. He called twice to confirm my participation in two of their training sessions. I learned several lessons through these two experiences,” said Fekerte.
“Then after, ISHDO gave our group individual matching funds of 410 birr and a group matching fund of 1,090 birr. Rather than directly giving us cash, ISHDO registered the allowance on our individual passbooks and deposited them at the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia.”
Fekerte has learned much from the CSSG & ME-Selection, Planning, and Management Trainings. She submitted a letter and business plan to CSSG requesting a loan for her business called “Rucha Lelewt” or “Running for Success”. Based on her request letter and plan, her group gave her a loan of 2000 birr.
To start her business, Fekerte started baking injera (a flatbread very common in everyday Ethiopian cuisine) and selling it in a nearby village market or ‘gulit’. Today, her business has become her primary source of income.
“I thank God! I never thought that I could be independent, but everything has changed. I have run this business for less than five months, but you can see how much progress I’ve made with His help. If the market stays as good as it is now, I believe my life can improve beyond this,” she said.
Fekerte has left the house that she and her children were living in and is currently renting a home with the income she earns through her business.
Fekerte has extended her heartfelt gratitude to ISHDO (formerly called ISAPSO) for its assistance in her journey to independence. Fekerte still has a journey ahead of her, however. She explained that although she’s achieved the initial feat of self-reliance, the issues surrounding her children’s medical care is to be determined.
She said, “Today I’m finally able to be financially independent and feed my two sons. But I’m not sure what will happen regarding my children’s health moving forward. The threat of their condition will always exist, but I have faith that the progress I’ve made has already made a difference for their future.”
Fekerte’s story has become one of success, hope, and empowerment to all the beneficiaries of ISHDO.