Rebuilding Hope Through Business Support and VSLA
My name is Sofiya, I have three children (2 boys and 1 1girll) I am a returnee from the Middle East and one of the target beneficiaries of EDA’s Income Generating Activities (IGA) support program. Before the conflict between the Tigray regional forces and the Federal Government, I was engaged in a small business selling clothes used for pajamas and sewing pajamas for customers. The business was my main source of income and helped me support my daily life.
However, after the conflict started, I lost most of my capital and some of my clothes were destroyed and looted because of the war. As a result, I was unable to continue my business and completely stopped working. Life became very difficult, and I lost hope for my future. At one point, I was even searching for people who needed sewing services just to survive.
While I was in this difficult situation, EDA selected me as one of the target beneficiaries for the IGA program. Through the project, I received life skills and business skills training, which played a vital role in changing my mindset and helping me think positively about my future again. The training helped me regain confidence, strengthen my business knowledge, and restore my hope.
After the training, I joined a Village Saving and Loan Association (VSLA) group. Through the VSLA, I borrowed 15,000 ETB, which enabled me to restart and strengthen my pajama clothing business by purchasing clothes and materials. Currently, I am successfully running my business again. I am repaying my loan with monthly installments of 3,750 ETB and have also developed a habit of saving 150 ETB daily.
For this positive change in my life, the business skills training, life skills training, and the seed money provided to our VSLA group have made a significant contribution. Today, I feel hopeful, economically active, and motivated to continue expanding my business and improving my livelihood