Wellness for Women is empowering mothers and breaking generational cycles of poverty in Harar, Ethoipia. 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 has funded a small team in Ethiopia consisting of Kal (a medical doctor and the project lead), a psychologist, and a women's empowerment/gender specialist to design and implement Wellness for Women.  

The team is working together to assess and treat physical and psychological illnesses while providing training in parenting, nutrition, hygiene, interpersonal skills, conflict resolution, advocating for themselves, family planning, budgeting, time management, and how to save money. Developing these skills equips the women to start very small businesses. Necessary equipment and supplies are provided to each woman who graduates from the training program. 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 children. Ongoing guidance, training and support are provided to each of the women who graduate from the program.

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

The program empowers the women and, through counselling, they come to believe in their value, see themselves as strong, and develop hope for their future.