Family Income & Economic Development
Where We Started
The unemployment rate of
fathers in rural Ethiopia is in the vicinity of 95%. The only income most
families have is generated by selling crops (usually corn that the family needs
to eat). Any solution to the family income problem must make better use of the
resources that are available to abjectly poor farm families, and be attainable
with very small investments spread over a long period of time.
A further problem is that once the child is educated, there is often no work that uses their education. Village of Hope not only needs to educate, but economically develop its villages, so that those who are educated can become productive for themselves and their families.
What We Have Done
In 2007 Village of Hope was
selected by World Wide
Sires, LTD, a large artificial insemination company in the U.S. and the
Ethiopian Department of Agriculture, to bring championship bull semen into
Ethiopia. Plans are underway to improve the genetic makeup of the village's beef
and dairy cattle and to start a cooperative dairy in Kersa Illala and the
villages surrounding it, making Kersa a center for the dairy industry in
Ethiopia, and a center for artificial insemination that will assist farmers
throughout the country. Land in the Village of Hope compound is being used as
an agricultural research station, to improve the village farming techniques and
the yield off the land.
The
Dagoo Harawaa provides families with a small amount of income as fathers
work each week doing community service projects. Families also receive a three
and twelve month “employee bonus” where they can select from a list of items
designed to provide food or income for their family (goats, chickens,
fertilizer, etc.). Mothers and fathers are required to attend monthly
educational classes on topics including micro-financing, setting up a small
business and improving farming techniques.
In February 2008 we built a Women’s Education center. This center, among other things, will provide opportunities for women to learn occupations and qualify for micro-financing loans, enabling them to help provide for the economic needs of their families.
In 2008 we began working with Morrell Family Charities. They have put together a program that has the potential of doubling the standard of living within the village over the first couple of years and quadrupling it over ten (see “Agriculture” for detailed information)
Current
Projects and Future Plans
1. Cooperative Dairy. Through proper breeding of cattle we can increase milk production 40-50 fold. This project has the potential of dramatically improving the economic status of each participant. Our goal is to begin with a small four cow dairy to show the village leaders the benefit of proper breeding and feed.
2. Selam Village Training. Selam Village is a training center in the capital city of Addis. This center provides training in general mechanics, auto mechanics, building construction, machine technology, electricity and wood work. Village of Hope will select and offer scholarships to qualified leaders in the community to be sent to this school to be trained. Upon return, those trained will be obligated to share their knowledge with others in the village as part of our vocational education center.
3. Focus on Youth. Each Village of Hope program has a strong focus on developing the next generation. These include improved education, English skills, leadership and job training.
4. Women’s Group and Women’s Education Center. See plans listed under “Education”.
How You Can Help: