In today’s era of technological advancement, many parts of the world are enjoying a luxurious life, and the innovations of high-tech have improved daily life significantly. On the other hand, millions of people across the world continue to lead a miserable life, trapped in a chain of poverty and hardship. Thus, to address these challenges, alleviate the burdens of the disadvantaged segment of the society and create a more equitable environment for all, thereby fulfilling their social responsibilities, several organizations and individuals around the globe are undertaking activities and offering vital help to the underprivileged.
In Ethiopia, numerous humanitarian organizations and individuals are dedicated and stand at the forefront to improving the lives of marginalized and underprivileged communities in various ways. Meseret Humanitarian Organization (MHO) is one of the leading organizations that strive to create a better future for mothers and children facing significant challenges in their lives.
Meseret Azage, Founder and Director of MHO, told The Ethiopian Herald that the primary mission of the Organization is to rehabilitate women and children affected by psychosocial stress and improve their lives through undertaking sustainable rehabilitation and support efforts.
The Organization’s center situated in Addis Ababa, near Kality, provides unreserved support to several mothers and their children who have been rescued from the streets. These women and children often arrive at the center from the streets of the city in a state of despair and heartbroken, deeply affected by the tragedies of street life.
Meseret said that many of these women arrive to the Organization while they are pregnant or shortly after giving birth, and the organization provides them with essential services to help rebuild their morale and address the psychological trauma they have experienced. It also offers skills development training, financial and in-kind support to the women from three to six months. After this period, mothers will continue leading their lives through the support received by the organization. As to her, her organization rents houses; and supports them to start their own businesses based on their interests.
Mentioning that currently MHO has expanded its branches across the country and reached over 11 destinations, Meseret said that the offices provide rehabilitation services to vulnerable women and children in various areas. The organization provides training to those women in various fields based on their interests including courses in babysitting, hairdressing, and fashion design, among others.
Additionally, it creates employment opportunities within its centers for women who have previously joined the organization, allowing them to care for children and continue their rehabilitation.
“Many of the women who joined the Organization want to engage in small businesses, particularly in bread and enjera business. We offer financial and technical support to help them achieve their goal. To make these ambitions a reality, we work in collaboration with the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs and the World Bank. However, the effort requires more capital and material support. Thus, we are working hard to mobilize resources by involving volunteers from at home and abroad as well as working in partnerships with public and private institutions,” she said.
Despite the efforts, the Organization continues to face challenges due to rising living costs and financial constraints. Therefore, it is working towards expanding its activities by exploring more financial sources from volunteers.
“Currently, MHO hosts over 1,200 mothers. Most of mothers joined the organization with one child while others arrived having two to five children. We provide services irrespective of religious or other differences. Our organization remains open to anyone in need of assistance.”
Meseret also urged all Ethiopians living at home and abroad to extend a helping hand to the organization in its mission of rehabilitating mothers and children from the street to lead a better life. “MHO needs the support of essential supplies, including clothing, hygiene products, and household items among others, to continue its important work of rehabilitating mothers.”
Lula Ali came from the rural part of the country. She arrived to the Organization along with her one-year-old daughter and stayed in the organization for a year. She extended her gratitude to MHO’s for taking care of herself and her daughter during this difficult time as well as providing her with basic life skills training. After spending a year at the center, she has received life skills training and is now prepared to start a career in catering upon leaving MHO.
Recently, the Ebenezer Baptist Church Global Mission team, and a group of journalists, visited Meseret Humanitarian Organization Kality Center and observed center’s activities. The Global Mission team spent a week at the organization, bringing hope and tangible support to the women and children in need. They provided life skills and self-care training, donated materials, and established meaningful connections to help brighten the future of these vulnerable mothers.
On the occasion, Meseret expressed her appreciation to the visiting team for their efforts, noting that such institutional visits play a significant role in fostering a sense of community and encouraging collective action to support those underserved group.
Such institutional-based visits to the organization and staying with the underserved mothers will have significant contributions to promoting togetherness and extending hands to the needy.
In addition, it could be a great lesson to future generations to engage in voluntarism and sustain togetherness through helping each other in both good and difficult times.
In sum, Meseret Humanitarian Organization (MHO) is a woman-led, non-governmental, and not-for-profit charitable organization dedicated to reducing vulnerability among children and women in Ethiopia. Founded in July 2011 by Meseret Azage, a seasoned humanitarian who has long been involved with the Ethiopian Red Cross, MHO has been serving the most impoverished communities in Ethiopia for over a decade.
The organization is one of the leading local NGOs in Ethiopia, engaged in various exemplary and impactful development initiatives, especially in remote and underserved areas. Over the past 10 years, MHO has been working in close collaboration with underprivileged communities, the government and other agencies, especially by extending its projects to remote and backward areas to improve the lives of vulnerable women and children.
BY TEWODROS KASSA
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD THURSDAY 19 DECEMBER 2024
