Micro businesses for Leprosy Community in Addis Ababa

The room was hopping with excitement. Thirty women who had never graduated, were ready to receive their first formal certificate. After 5 days of business training, these women who came to class the first day with cautious curiosity, were beaming with pride. They were dressed in their very best ; colourful dresses , scarves, and head coverings. The classroom at the Alert Hospital Training centre, was buzzing with Amharic words of admiration and affirmation. A community had been formed and meaningful connection with each other had established a new hope for the future. The hope of a dignity and a self sustaining income. 

The eldest of these women, a beautiful little lady, was bent over as she walked to receive her certificate and recognition of her accomplishment. The other ladies cheered as she turned around and flashed them her beaming smile. The respect and support of this community had grown into something beautiful, and the feeling of love and hope was palpable in the room. As each woman walked to the front of the class to receive  their certificate, thunderous applause and cheering was the response. 

Ishy’s eyes smiled as she stood in a photo as part of the staff of Agape Coffee. Her days of picking tin out of the foul smelling garbage heaps at Koshy dump were over. She doesn’t speak english but her warm embrace spoke louder than words. A new beginning… 

The WISE ( Women in Sustainable Employment) organization in Ethiopia was started by the Cody Institute of St Fx. University in Nova Scotia. This organization provides educational resources to women in Ethiopia who wish to learn leadership and skills in business. The teacher was enthusiastic and had the focused attention of her students. The women were quietly engaged and listened intentionally to her words and instruction. FAME Canada had the honour to sponsor this educational opportunity. I was so happy to tell them that this gift of education and opportunity for income, is from God. He sees them, He loves them and wants to prosper them as they step forward into new opportunities.

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I felt excitement for the women as they celebrated with fresh traditional Ethiopian bread, made by the class leader Salem. The women lingered over bread, buna and chai with a hesitancy to leave. They had a new bond and a new hope.

This is only the beginning for these women as they have an opportunity to sell good quality roasted coffee beans from the AGAPE coffee roaster. 

Praise God for how He sees these precious women and is providing for them. I am reminded of Hagar and how God personally addresses her need. 

Genesis 21:17 

God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there. 18 Lift the boy up and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation.”

God has given these women hope 🙂 Praise HIS name!

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