Empowering Change: The Impact of ENA’s Self-Support Assistance on Alleviating Extreme Poverty

“Microfinance recognizes that poor people are remarkable reservoirs of energy and knowledge. And while the lack of financial services is a sign of poverty, today it is also understood as an untapped opportunity to create markets, bring people in from the margins and give them the tools with which to help themselves.”–Kofi Annan

When mothers and fathers learn vocational skills and receive self-support assistance, families experience significant economic benefits. These include increased household income, improved access to education and healthcare for children, enhanced financial stability, and the potential for long-term economic empowerment and self-sufficiency.

ENA’s self-support assistance plays a pivotal role in alleviating poverty. Our goal is to empower individuals with the tools, resources, and skills necessary to lift themselves out of poverty to become more self-reliant. 

Our self-support initiatives focus on sustainable solutions that foster independence and self-reliance rather than perpetuating cycles of dependency. By providing education, vocational training, access to financial services, and entrepreneurship opportunities, our programs not only address immediate needs but also tackle the root causes of poverty.

Our goal is to uphold the dignity of individuals and families by allowing them to actively participate in their own upliftment, fostering a sense of agency and pride, thereby creating a ripple effect, enabling individuals to break the cycle of poverty, uplift their communities, and pave their way for long-term economic stability and prosperity.

Direct Impact

Income Generation: Individuals now generate income for themselves and their families, reducing poverty and improving their living conditions.

Self-Esteem and Confidence: As individuals successfully learn new skills they will gain a sense of achievement and pride, improving their mental and emotional well-being.

Entrepreneurship Opportunities: Vocational training fosters entrepreneurship amongst participants, creating employment opportunities for others and contributes to economic growth.

Indirect Impact

Empowerment of Families: As participants begin to generate income, family members gain access to education, healthcare, and overall well-being.

Social Networks: Enrollees form social networks resulting in support beyond the training program where they can learn from each other while working towards long-term economic stability and prosperity.

Reduced Dependence: With their enhanced skills and income, participants become less dependent leading to greater self-sufficiency and resilience.

Empowering Mezeret: A Sustainable Income-Generating Initiative in Ethiopia

“I am supporting my family with my business. I used to have to leave my four children to go to town to find work, and now I can stay home with them. I can now send them to school.”

Mezeret is the inspiring force behind high-quality plants. With passion and determination, Mezeret transformed a small nursery into a thriving business thanks to her entrepreneurial spirit and a microcredit loan of $100. Today, she not only supports her own family but also delivers happiness to businesses and neighbors through her beautiful flowers. She is a shining example of one who brings into others homes the joy of nature while empowering herself and preparing her family with a brighter future.

Empowering Women and Redefining Poverty: The Evolution of ENA’s Self-Reliance Program

Over the past 15 years, ENA’s self-reliance program in Ethiopia has evolved significantly; it began by providing to entrepreneurial individuals female goats. Over the years, this program has evolved into a comprehensive program called Income Generating Activities (IGA).

IGA requires women to undergo a one-year business training, equipping them with essential business management skills. ENA supports these women throughout their entrepreneurial journey, including skills training and financial accountability. In 2023, our IGA program has trained over 320 women, indirectly impacting over 1,600 people.

 

Small and Simple Things Bring About Great Joy

“I feel thankful to be part of Engage Now Africa, an organization that focuses on building schools in underprivileged areas. Our primary objective is to ensure every school-going child can access education within their locality. This access will provide them with hope for a better future and an alternative to a life of herding cattle. Apart from promoting education, Engage Now Africa also provides essential support for mothers and children in the community. This support includes proper healthcare throughout pregnancy and delivery and promoting the well-being of both the mother and child. Engage Now Africa understands the significance of clean water, which is why our organization is committed to providing clean water products to the community. We believe that access to clean water is crucial for sustaining life itself.”

–Efrem Aemero Mekonen, Project Director, Ethiopia

 

“If I had not received life skill training from Engage Now Africa, I would have realized that my family and I would not be able to survive these times of high inflation.”

–Shewaye, Ethiopia

“Two years ago my husband and I were in trouble, we lost what we worked to feed our children, now that I got this loan, started working, my husband was able to created his own job, now my family and  I are very happy.”

–Ababo, Ethiopia

“Where I was discouraged and that I failed. Engage Now Africa instilled in me the strength through business training that made me say No one will fail if they don’t work, but if they do, they will be strengthened by lifting the one who has fallen”

–Etenesh, Ethiopia

“It took me quite a long time to learn how to be self-reliant, and now I am self-reliant because of ENA life skill training”

–Shewaye Bajiga

“Five years ago, I and my children had nothing to eat; today, I have T.V. We were in the darkness. Currently, a marvelous light of happiness is shining in our home.”

–Namso, Ethiopia

“My income has progressed from 0 to 800 USD. I believe that in the future my income will be increased, because ENA trains me on how to save, how to manage my income and spent money. I thank you so much ENA for everything you did for me.”

–Genet, Ethiopia

Small Businesses Started

Small loans Given

Total Income Generating Beneficiaries

Business Trainings Held

Lifting and Strengthening Families Through Self-Support Assistance

Our organization is committed to empowering communities where we work by delivering comprehensive programs aimed at fostering self-reliance. Our tailored vocational training and access to microfinance opportunities endeavor to lift families out of extreme poverty by facilitating sustainable prosperity. Join us in our mission of effecting positive change and building sustainable futures for those most vulnerable to poverty’s ill effects.

Ready to Make a Change?

Engage  by making a donation to lift an individual or family to self-reliance through a small micro-credit loan!