MWVocational training

New Livelihood Project
with the Mulu Wongel (Full Gospel) Church,
Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

Located on the shores of Lake Tana - headwaters of the Blue Nile - Bahir
Dar boasts of its booming tourism industry, its four universities and its
bustling trade. All are factors in it having the highest rate of HIV/AIDS
in Ethiopia. The town's 10,000 sex workers also contribute to the high
rate and are themselves increasingly vulnerable to infection. Lack of
opportunity for these young girls, combined with the fact that only 15%
of high school graduates in Ethiopia are accepted into universities
result in a huge population of unskilled and unemployed youth.

Start up funds and partnership

The initial funds for this project come from the Cosmetology Training
initiative. When huge delays were projected in the construction of a
Vocational Training Institute ( which would include a Cosmetology
School) DevXchange volunteers in Bahir Dar, began to research
alternative national partners to implementing a vocational training
program in hairdressing. Priority was given to local organizations that
wanted to address the escalating HIV/AIDS problem in Bahir Dar and
find alternative career paths for survival sex-workers.

The Mulu Wongel Church emerged as an organization committed to this
cause. Volunteer Gypsi Fellows met frequently with the Development
Committee of the church to come up with the New Livelihood Project to
help women at risk get started down a new career path. The project
provided funds for tuition food and shelter (away from the brothel
environment) and a family support program (where families in the
church mentor and serve as a 'second family' for the girls).

In March, 2008, the first group of 7 graduated from their hairdressing
course - radiant, more confident and eager to start their new careers.
Amberly Schamuhn marked the milestone with a graduation party.
Amberly writes,

Phase III begins this year and the Lead Members continue to
raise funds to help.

How it works:
Your Part: $25 a month for one year provides vocational training for an
at-risk girl would otherwise be pressured to enter the sex-trade.

Our Part: We make sure that %100 percent of your donations go directly
to the New Livelihood Project in Bahir Dar. We also provide guidance to
and accountability on behalf of the Mulu Wongel Church to ensure
high-quality implementation of the project.

Mulu Wongel Church: They select the girls to enter the program,
facilitate the training and mentoring and ensure their general well-being
during the program. Upon completion of the training they also assist the
girls in finding secure employment.

Together with your support of only
$25/month for one year,
we can change the course of a life for good.