The project “Let's go, lovely group!” in Mekelle, in the Tigray region of Ethiopia, deeply marked by the armed conflict that broke out in 2020 between the Ethiopian federal government and the regional authorities.

The Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent community provides a home for young women from very modest backgrounds, offering them a safe environment conducive to their studies. The project aimed to support ten particularly vulnerable young women from isolated rural areas where access to education is extremely limited.

After a phase of identifying and selecting beneficiaries, the sisters prepared their welcome at the home: arranging living spaces, purchasing bedding, providing school supplies, assembling hygiene kits and organizing their daily care.

Concrete and encouraging results

Beyond material assistance, the girls also received educational and personal support. Guided by the sisters of the community, they participated in personal development activities that fostered the acquisition of values, life skills, discipline, and self-confidence.

All the girls were able to continue their schooling or enter a qualifying training program: several of them are enrolled in secondary school in Mekele; some have entered higher education; others are undergoing Montessori pedagogy training in order to quickly access employment.

The project's impact extends beyond access to education. The sisters observed:

- improved attendance and a reduction in the risk of dropping out of school;
- improved health, hygiene, and overall well-being of the beneficiaries;
- strengthened psychological balance and self-esteem;
- the opening of professional opportunities that promote their future financial independence.

The example of Almaz, one of the beneficiaries, is significant. Coming from a very modest background, her family could no longer afford to finance her schooling. Thanks to this assistance, she was able to continue her studies in good conditions, benefit from a stable and secure environment, and undertake vocational training that will soon allow her to become independent and support her family.

Despite this success, significant funding needs remain to ensure sustainable support for these adolescent girls and other young women facing the same difficulties...

“This project has offered ten young Ethiopian women far more than material assistance: it has allowed them to regain safety, dignity, and hope. By giving them access to education and a protective environment, it opens up the possibility for them to build a better future for themselves, their families, and their communities.
Education is a major driver of social and economic development.” Sr. Desta