Wellness for Women is empowering mothers and breaking generational cycles of poverty in Harar, Ethiopia. It began after our founder became aware that there were 12 mothers of children supported through Tesfa's Shelter who were unable to work because of their medical and psychological conditions. Tesfa's wife, Kal, was highly motivated to serve these women and brought this need to Shelley's attention. Our organization funded a small team in Ethiopia consisting of Kal (a doctor and the project lead), a psychologist, and a women's empowerment/gender specialist to design and implement Wellness for Women. The outcome of the 6-month pilot ending at the end of 2024 was so impressive that Wellness for Women has become a permanent project for our organization.

The team works together to assess and treat physical and psychological illnesses while providing training in parenting, nutrition, hygiene, interpersonal skills, advocating for themselves, family planning, building confidence and saving money. Developing these skills equips the women to start very small businesses. The necessary equipment and supplies are provided to each woman for the specific business they will start. As the women learn new skills and begin to generate money through their businesses, they move toward sustainability and the ability to support themselves and their families. The women are provided ongoing guidance and encouragement from the team for 6 months after starting their business.

An adjacent project, Real Men, was also launched to educate the husbands of women who are in the program. The men learn parenting, communication and relationship skills and are encouraged - and held accountable - to show up for their families.

Wellness for Women also impacts the children of the women in this program. Their stress is reduced significantly because they know their mothers are receiving medical and psychological care and building hope for the future. They no longer have to fear their mother will die and leave them as orphans. The relationships between the mothers and children improve as the mother's wellness improves bringing new hope, new joy into the family.

The women are empowered and through counselling, group support and training, the women come to believe they have value, they are strong, and they have hope for their future.