Their reputation in the neighborhood is well established, and for good reason – more than 5000 clients have benefited from their health services alone.
The main target group is single women and their children, although men, orphans and married women in need are also among the beneficiaries. Among the multitude of other services offered are daycare and youth centers, counseling and vocational training. Networking and lectures to raise awareness on HIV/AIDS related issues are conducted in the traditional Ethiopian setting of a coffee ceremony, in order to ensure a firm foundation in the local community. Children receive sponsorships to attend schools, and in exceptional cases emergency food and money are handed out to a select few.
To verify the need for assistance among the beneficiaries, any new applicant must provide a support letter from the kebele, or local authorities, stating that they are indeed unable to obtain basic services without outside help. There is no shortage of deserving applicants. Even with funding from both members of My Sister’s in Norway, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and private donors, the organization is in constant need for further funding. The employees, however, are ever hopeful, with plans and dreams for further work: fitting for an organization who has adopted as their motto ‘Why not?’
For more information, visit www.mysisters.no