Netsanet, a 41-year-old mother of two with a physical disability from Lalibela, previously relied entirely on her husband’s limited income. Her situation changed after joining IOCC’s Food Security and Resilience Building Project—funded by HEKS/EPER Swiss Church Aid with support from Bread for the World—which provided entrepreneurship training and startup money. She also joined a 20-member women’s Self-Help Group (SHG) and now serves as its chairperson. Netsanet said, “I did not have a chance to go out of my home and participate in social gatherings before. Now, with the support of the project, I am a member of the SHG and currently serve as a leader of the group. This has helped improve my social ties and recognition in the community.”
Combining her seed money with a SHG loan, she started a successful home baking business. Netsanet shared that, “Previously, I did not have a job and depended on my husband’s small and unstable income. But now my family is very happy, and as you can see, I started baking and selling bread, which gives me a good income for my family.” Ultimately, IOCC’s support has greatly improved both her livelihood and community participation.
