Freedom from Exploitation

A dairy farming project provides women with a steady income and the means to escape a life of abuse and poverty

Meselech Halliso was forced into marriage when she was 13, and dropped out of school before completing the eighth grade. She had been born into a poor farming family in a rural village near Awassa in Southern Ethiopia, and was unable to gain any additional education to help support her family.

When her husband died of a severe illness, she became a widow with four children and no means of support. She began selling liquor in Awassa—a city known for its hotels, bars, and nightclubs. But her income was not enough to provide for her family. Desperate and with nowhere to turn for help, Meselech felt she had no choice but to get involved in the commercial sex trade.

However, her life dramatically changed when she joined an HIV/AIDS program developed by the Ethiopian Kale Heywet Church, a Samaritan's Purse ministry partner.

She was tested for AIDS and other diseases, and was relieved to discover that she had not been infected. She immediately left the commercial sex trade and started participating in church and serving in her community as a peer educator.

Meselech was still struggling to provide for her children as a single mother when our team met her. She was selected to join a Samaritan’s Purse project that supplies impoverished families with goats, cows, and other dairy animals, and training in caring for the livestock and running a small business. Participants receive nourishing milk, a steady income, and an opportunity to hear the Gospel.

By providing a safe livelihood for women who have no other means of support, Samaritan’s Purse fights against the harmful effects of the commercial sex industry. According to a 2009 study, Ethiopia is a leading country for sexual exploitation. Tragically, almost half of young girls living on the streets are forced into prostitution.

Meselech’s confidence and hope grew during the six months that she received training in the dairy program. She now works on a productive farm, making nine times more than the average Ethiopian makes in a year.

She praises God for His abounding provisions in her life.

“I would like to thank God for the income from the dairy business and thank Samaritan’s Purse for providing the dairy cow,” Meselech said.

The joyful mother now spends much of her time teaching women about the dangers of AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. She continues to serve Christ by supporting her family with the Samaritan’s Purse dairy farm, educating women about AIDS prevention, and testifying of God’s faithfulness to everyone she meets.

WAYS YOU CAN HELP

PRAY:

That many Ethiopian women will come to know Jesus Christ as their Savior through the dairy farming projects.

That the Lord will give our staff the compassion and wisdom to reach out to women who are hurting physically and emotionally.

That churches, ministries, and individuals like Meselech will be effective in educating others about HIV/AIDS and the commercial sex trade industry.

GIVE:

Help provide goats, cows, and other dairy animals to supply impoverished families with nourishing milk, a steady income, and the opportunity to hear the Gospel.

Samaritan's Purse , Ethiopia , Community Development , Freedom from Exploitation