Published Tue, Dec 11, 18.
Written by Scott Chleborad.
Self-Help Groups: to bring forth holistic change so that they are empowered economically, socially, spiritually, politically, etc. Self-Help Groups, or SHGs are small groups of community members who work together to form an entrepreneurial team. While the SHG training focuses largely on economic empowerment through entrepreneurship, training also includes life skills. With a goal to bring about holistic change in more than just the financial realm, training is provided in the areas of sanitation and hygiene, childcare and reproductive health, social development, spiritual growth, and more. SHGs are equipped with a well-rounded arsenal of tools to empower themselves to live a balanced, fulfilled life.
Currently, there are 11 SHGs in the Hossana area, with expansion inevitably approaching. Last time, we highlighted the Tsegereda, or “Rose,” SHG. Tsegereda is made up of 13 women, each with their own story of how the SHG has positively impacted their lives. Last time, we got a glimpse into the life of Asnakech and learned of the heartbreak she endured and how the Tsegereda SHG encouraged her. We continue to pray for Asnakech.
We also pray for Klorkenesh and her family. Klorkenesh and her husband had a decent life, making adequate wages and had a bright future. What a blessing it was when Klorkenesh gave birth to her firstborn, a daughter. When her daughter was a toddler, the family moved to the Hosanna area with aspirations to enroll her daughter in an academically excellent school in order to give her the brightest future possible. Her husband had to leave his job and find work in the city, which meant taking a pay cut. Wages were still good, and a severance package was in the bank from the previous employer, but the financial security evaporated quickly when their daughter was rushed to the ER one afternoon. Klorkenesh learned that her daughter had heart problems and their savings account was soon depleted in the efforts to unclog her daughter’s artery. Unfortunately, this was just the beginning of her daughter’s medical bills. Soon, the savings account was nonexistent; and the medical bills kept stacking up.
Klorkenesh was operating her own small business at the time, but was really struggling to generate meaningful income with all the attention required by her daughter’s condition. It was at this time that she joined the SHG. Being a part of a team helped give her life some balance, as her fellow members were there to support her in here time of need. As a result, her business began to generate more profit, which has, at the very least, kept her from becoming completely drowned in medical bills. For now, she is able to keep up with the ongoing medical expenses of her daughter’s treatment, though she still does have previous medical debt. Klorkenesh is grateful that the debt isn’t getting any higher and that her daughter’s condition is stabilizing for now. Unfortunately, Klorkenesh has only been able to afford treatment for her daughter’s symptoms, but is unable to afford the heart surgery that is required to treat the root cause. Our prayer for the family is that God would heal Klorkenesh’s daughter. We believe that He is able to heal her simply by commanding it to be, by using a donor or surgical volunteer to be His hands and feet by donating time, treasure, or talent to contribute to her healing, or He can continue to increase the profits from their business so that they might begin to pay off their medical loans and that the Lord would heal Klorkenesh’s daughter by providing a way for her to get the heart surgery she so desperately needs. It’s all in His hands and we trust in His will, and his good and perfect timing.
While Klorkenesh knows that the team at ATF is praying for her and her daughter, she also finds great emotional strength and spiritual encouragement from her fellow SHG members. The Tsegereda SHG is comprised of all Christian believers who continually build each other up and encourage one another in their faith. The women pray together, asking the Father of every good gift to continue to bless them so that they may be a blessing to others and bring Him glory.
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” – James 1:17