“My next goal is to buy land and have my own house”

Kabaye Megersa is a 25-year-old mother of three children. She lives in Gindo in Ethiopia and is a member of the women’s development group run by Womankind’s partner, Siiqqee Women’s Development Association (Siiqqee).

“I didn’t have any money or resources to start a business, find a job or earn a living – I was financially dependent on my husband.

We had been living together for five years when he married another woman. He started to abuse me and gave her our house and all my belongings. He refused to let me stay there with the children and forced us out of the house.

Everything changed when I found Siiqqee and their development group. Siiqqee provided me with thorough training, covering issues from working within the group, to running my own business.  I took out a loan and my life has improved. After joining the group, I spent the money on clothes and essentials to furnish my home. Now, I have savings of around 10,000 Birr (£360) I have earned myself. My next goal is to buy land and have my own house.

I am very happy that I joined the women’s group because it has improved my life and has given me financial independence.”