It goes without saying that life is full of ups and down and the journey is not always full of bed of roses. Nonetheless, many have conquered all the hardship they go through. They not only win the troubles but they have brought hopes along with them for others.
Founder and Director of ‘Life Center Ethiopia’ which is a charity organization, Mulu Girmay, could be the best example in this regard for turning life`s challenge in to something useful. An unfortunate moment that occurred in her marriage forced her to raise her three children by herself.
After staying in Kenya for over three years, she found an opportunity to move to United States of America. Raising her children by oneself is troublesome especially, living as a migrant.
After 12 years, Mulu returned home country (Ethiopia) to visit her mother and had no other plan to engaging in anything. However, what awaited her in the country left her no choice but to come up with something to do her part to support her fellow Ethiopians. She said, “What I saw here reminded me of the life struggle and it brought an idea of doing something new to alter community`s lifestyle. Once I saw street children, and destitute mothers with their children, my mind could not rest. It is a sad truth that no matter how hard a mother strives and hold double responsibilities to meet her children need, she could never replace the place of a father.”
She went on saying: I gave up my life to raise my children. Single mothers mostly sacrifice their emotions, health, life and many more things. To the worst, they raise their children with low income or even in hand to mouth life situation.
The fact that she went through the same situation, nudged her to move further so as to support these children and mothers. Therefore, Mulu got a license that will enable her legally supporting three children.
Mulu applied for similar license in the United States so as to facilitate support for the organization. She then started funding the organization through the finance generated from the one she opened in the US.
“Had it not been for my experience and difficult journey, I would have a different path and the organization wouldn’t be a reality. Thus, the challenges gave birth to life Center Charity Organization,” she underscored.
The organization that was established in 2012 provides support for orphan children as well as widows or single mothers. Besides providing child benefit for the children, the organization offers business training, spiritual discipleship, and microloans for the women.
By collaborating with Kebele and area’s district, the organization identifies needy women in order to provide them with financial and other support. Several business and saving trainings would be offered for three days, she said.
The major objective of the training is to help the women develop ‘I can mentality’. After they accomplished the training, they would be given necessary materials as well as arrange microloan to start small business.
The microloan is said to be returned within 18 months to allow other women get similar opportunity. Moreover, the organization conduct follow ups on the business and provides additional support. The financial support that the children get through the sponsorship would be spent on food, health, education and necessary areas.
Since majority of the women lead a difficult life and are often illiterate, the organization also offers tutorial class. Apart from the financial support, the organization carries out personal development activities to equip them with life lessons. Thus, children would also get counseling service.
As part of family planning trainings, the organization gives family conflict management training to enable them create smooth relationship with their children thereby create productive citizens.
“We aspire to see a great citizen who would do anything to serve its country. Hence, we also coach them and do follow up to shape them in a good way. Unlike many organizations, Life Center Ethiopia deeply believes that children should be raised with their family in a great surrounding. With this in mind, it prefers supporting them while they are with their family instead of putting them in a center.”
So far, the organization has benefitted over 280 orphan children and there are around 275 small businesses run by women. As to her, the organization values quality over quantity in which it could be grasped by looking at the children and the businesses.
Seeing them standing on their own gives me a feeling that is hard to put in words said Mulu talking about the women who were supported by the organization and are now running their business. They are named Betelhem and Tsion, both were given support by the organization. .
While Tsion, is now running liquid soap company, Betelhem has become a great designer. Both of their works have gained recognition from FDRE President Sahlework Zewedie and prominent higher government officials.
Mentioning that the business run by the mothers has been showing promising result using the microloans, she noted that their capital has risen to 300,000 Birr. Those with better performance are being rewarded with another huge loan to expand their business.
As to her, there are also children who were raised in the organization who have turned into grownups and currently hired in different companies. Besides its office in the Capital, branch offices are located in Waghemera zone, and Seqota areas.
Life Center Ethiopia provides financial support to 58 children residing in its surroundings. It has made nine water holes available for the community in which 10 women have started agricultural activities. Similarly, it has offered microloan for around 45 women in which the number is expected to be higher in the future.
Emphasizing that sum of the most donations is gained from individuals and charity institutions from the US, she urged Ethiopians to make active contribution for similar activities.
They have set a plan to expand our activities to areas where unemployment and water scarce areas. Moreover, they said they will do their best to put an end to internal migration. Similarly, they aspire to open vocational schools in the future.
BY BETELHEM BEDLU
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD THURSDAY 10 AUGUST 2023
