When Self-sufficiency Replaces Dependency

In the past few decades local and international NGOs, in their efforts of improving the lives of needy women in Ethiopia, have been providing training in sewing and embroidery. However, the fact that a considerable percentage of the women resumed their former way of life, after receiving training, has rendered the whole effort a failure. It was amidst this controversy that GTF boldly came forth with its proposal to train twenty needy women in the Gulalle area in sewing and embroidery. Some big-hearted women in Germany collected used sewing machines, which the Berlin Mission kindly shipped to Addis. Women's World Day of Prayer-German Committee dedicated themselves to support the women to self-sufficiency. On the local front, the EECMY's Western Synod offered to provide training space in its compound. Such a concerted effort to change the lives of those women was encouraging; nevertheless, the challenge came when trying to secure permission from concerned authorities. A valid argument was raised: "In what way does the project ensure the employment of the women upon completion of training?" With a little bit of faith and perseverance permission was secured.

Destitute women from Gullalle and fire wood collectors from the outskirts of the city came to receive training. What began as just training in sewing and embroidery expanded itself to embrace other skills such as silk screening, tie and dye, carpet making, card making and fabric printing. The traditional skills the women brought along added to the cultural diversity of the Centre. Churches became regular customers--priestly garments and choir uniforms became the specialty of the women. News about the Centre spread all over--compatriots living abroad began ordering traditional costumes to be worn on occasions. Doors were opened for the women to sell their products at the Hilton Hotel where the International Women's Club holds its regular meeting. Refining their products was decisive in gaining the women a spot in the monthly bazaar of NGOs at the International Evangelical Church.

The training program has enabled some sixty women receive training over a period of five years. The initial training period which was only a year was extended to two years. A production and Marketing Centre was established to enable the women remain organized and generate income that would sustain them and their dependants.

A woman who joined the program in '95 reflects back on her past:

"My daughter and I were dependents of a relative who already had a burden of supporting seven family members. I longed to support my child and myself but I had no way of finding a job--I had neither skills nor relatives occupying high positions. To make matters worse I was a coffee addict who always bothered relatives and neighbours to buy me my daily supply of coffee beans. Joining the centre has changed my whole life. Now I have rented and furnished a place for my daughter and I to live in. I won't tell you how much my monthly income is but it's enough to support my own family and a couple of relatives who have no income."

The project head, Mrs. Worke Begi, says:

"...the secret to the success of our work is a combination of faith in the Lord and hard work. there are times when the women spend the night at the Centre working; the result is that, in addition to becoming self-sufficient, some of them now have their won saving accounts."

Anxiety and fear that seemed to reign the hearts of the various stakeholders at the outset of the project, concerning the fate of the women after training, has been replaced by faith and hope. Hope to lift many more women out of the miry pit of unemployment and despair.