We are pleased to be able to come to you once again and report on another success story in the ongoing work of the Reaching Beyond Words Ethiopia. This month we are bringing you the story of Selam Asfaw, a 33 year old indigent mother with 4 children in her care. One of her sons, 7 year old Tsega Hayelu, is also one of the beneficiaries in our non-profit organization.
Selam was part of our widow training program in 2014. She had a burning desire to change her living conditions through more productive efforts than that which was provided by day labor jobs she had been obtaining to support her family.
The RBW program provides support for widows and single mothers to be able to learn a skill and start a business. After completing her training, Selam was given 3,000 Birr ($150) with the understanding that from proceeds of this investment she will put 30 Birr per week in the savings account under our supervision. She has used the funds to purchase vegetables and other produce from outlying farmers and sells them in Addis Ababa for a good price. By January of this year she has been able to deposit not only 30 Birr per week but sometimes as much as 100 Birr. She has, within the first months, deposited over 1,000 Birr into the bank and is well on her way to providing a consistent income for her household.
When asked what changes she has been able to accomplish Selam replied that she is able to pay the rent on her house in a timely manner and is also able to feed her children with a better variety of food. Selam went on to say, “Before I worked for other people for very low wages, now I work for myself doing easier work and having a better profit. I am no more bankrupt in my work. I grow step by step. Praise God!”
We thank you for your continued support of this work in Ethiopia. It is refreshing to be able to see that a very small donation can have a large impact on someone’s life. Praise the Lord.