In a country like Ethiopia where major responsibilities are put upon the yolk of woman, helping them is helping the nation as a whole, says Meseret Azage, who is the founder and Director of Meseret Humanitarian Organization.
In exclusive interview with The Ethiopian Herald, Meseret said, Ethiopian women have carried several challenges. This is especially true and hard for single mothers and uneducated ones.
“For example, if a wife gives birth to a baby with mental disabilities the husband consider it as if it is her failure. The husband will not take the responsibility. This is the harshest part of being a mother. But, women are strong. They will not give up easily.
Let alone physical or mental problems, some irresponsible husbands even fear taking the responsibility when their wife give birth to a twin.”
According to her, coordinated effort of government, humanitarian organization and individuals is key towards sustaining the life of mothers and children.
Meseret said, we Ethiopians have accustomed to live in love and sharing. For unknown reason, this trend is being threatened. Until recently, it was normal to see the poor in harmony with the rich. It was also normal in the old times where the wealthy people to provide shelter and food for the poor ones. However now, there is a big gap between the haves and have-nots.
Meseret said, helping the impoverished needs clean heart. A rich man with stone heart can not help others. But, a kind heart with a penny can give hope to others. We Ethiopians knew the power of sharing.
Asked about the significance of supporting women to the overall system of the nation, Meseret said, if women are given chances there is nothing that will stop them from achieving success. Mothers are always ready to pay all the sacrifice to raise their children. For this reason, we need to support them. Mothers are pillars of the family.
They are foundation of all the political and economic structure of the nation. A mother who nurture morally responsible children is directly or indirectly building a strong country. That is why I consider supporting woman is supporting the nation. In this regard, supporting women is something that needs not waiting.
“Beside humanitarian organizations and some generous individuals, the role of diaspora is vital in supporting them. Supporting one another is our culture. We have to nurture it. If we have courage and will, we can change the life of single mothers and impoverished children. A monthly donation of five or more from diaspora can change the life of a single child.”
Meseret Humanitarian Organization is working aggressively to help those disadvantaged women, whose moral is affected by several factors. It provide them short and long term training. As a means to avoid dependency syndrome it provide them an opportunity to support themselves.
As part of its program, lately, Meseret Humanitarian Organization together with VSO (Voluntary Service Overseas) has graduated 31 women who are trained in designing and they are given the swing machine to support themselves.
Meseret said, besides providing financial support and training to those disadvantaged women, uplifting their moral is the most important factor towards their future. “Most of them have a sad history. If it is not fixed their will to help themselves and their children will be a difficult task. They may even be exposed to addiction. Boosting their moral is the most important factor. Meseret Humanitarian Organization is trying its best in this regard.”
Meseret said, children who grew without their mother will be exposed to various challenges. Financial scarcity might be a problem for them. But having no mother is the most painful experience to every child. In this regard, Meseret Humanitarian Organization is trying to fill the gaps of those little children who lost their mother.
The Ethiopian Herald August 21, 2019
BY LEULSEGED WORKU
