Raising income for 70 single Mom's living in slum

YENGAT BIRHAN CAHRITY   ORGANIZATION

  Report on Women’s Economic Empowerment

Project Tittle: Raising income for 70 single Mom’s living in slum

4^th Quarter Narrative Report of 2025

To: GlobalGiving  

December, 2025

Addis Ababa

 Introduction and Overview

Yengat Birhan Charity Organization, founded in 2016, is committed to uplifting underserved women in the project area by enhancing their skills, promoting economic self-sufficiency, and offering comprehensive support. The organization focuses particularly on vulnerable groups such as single mothers and women-led households, tackling key issues related to financial insecurity and health.

Its primary areas of intervention include:

• Livelihood Development: Equipping women with vocational training and seed funding to start small businesses.
• Health Awareness: Advancing knowledge of preventive healthcare and hygiene practices.
• Crisis Support: Delivering urgent aid in the form of shelter and food assistance.

Yengat Birhan Charity Organization is committed to strengthening women’s autonomy by promoting sustainable economic growth, encouraging inclusive participation, and prioritizing health education. Through community-centered approaches and by addressing systemic barriers, the organization fosters resilience, leadership, and long-term positive change in the lives of women and their families.

Adopting a holistic, child-centered approach, Yengat Birhan integrates educational support, health promotion, and nutritional assistance to respond to the multifaceted needs of vulnerable children and their households. The organization currently serves 135 school-aged children along with their mothers and families, as well as 7 women engaged in income-generating activities (IGA). In response to rising inflation, additional financial support is provided to these women, based on the belief that with adequate resources they can perform effectively and sustain their livelihoods.

Through an integrated support system, Yengat Birhan works to reduce vulnerabilities, including those related to medical expenses. By leveraging community-based solutions, strategic partnerships, and innovative interventions, the organization builds resilience and creates sustainable pathways for growth, learning, and overall well-being, ensuring long-term impact for both children and their caregivers. 

Major Achievements

vIGA Support

As part of the project activities, 35 women received start-up capital to initiate or expand their small businesses, enabling them to improve household income and living standards. While the initiative successfully supported participants toward financial independence and sustainable livelihoods, approximately seven women currently remain actively engaged in operating and growing their income-generating activities (IGAs).

During this quarter, we maintained close oversight of the women involved in IGAs, with regular follow-ups conducted by our community facilitator. We are encouraged by the continued positive progress observed, as these women demonstrated resilience, adaptability, and steady business growth. The support provided has played a vital role in strengthening their entrepreneurial capacity, helping them navigate challenges and seize new opportunities. These outcomes highlight the tangible impact of the intervention and reaffirm our commitment to promoting sustainable economic empowerment.

vEmergency Assistance

During periods of severe economic hardship, vulnerable women-led households received critical support through housing assistance and essential food supplies. This timely intervention helped ease immediate financial pressures, enabling families to meet their basic needs while preserving dignity and stability. By addressing urgent challenges, the support served as an essential safety net for women and their dependents during times of crisis.

vHealth Education

Targeted health education sessions were conducted to strengthen mothers’ knowledge of preventive healthcare and overall family well-being. The sessions emphasized proper hygiene practices and equipped mothers with the skills and information needed to support and guide their children effectively. A welcoming and interactive environment was fostered, allowing participants to gain practical insights while enjoying refreshments such as Habesha bread and water enhancing both the learning experience and community engagement.

Challenges Faced

The organization faced considerable challenges due to inflation, which increased the cost of materials and operational logistics, placing pressure on the budget. These financial constraints necessitated careful prioritization of activities and prudent resource management to ensure continued program effectiveness. Despite these obstacles, strong partnerships with local stakeholders and strategic planning allowed the organization to sustain its impactful interventions. However, the need for diversified funding remains essential to maintain and expand these efforts.

Lessons Learned

The experience highlighted the critical importance of proactive financial planning and flexible budgeting in the face of economic fluctuations. Strategic prioritization of activities and resource management proved essential to maintaining program effectiveness under constrained conditions. Strengthening partnerships with local stakeholders was key to sustaining operations, demonstrating the value of collaboration in overcoming challenges. The situation also underscored the need to diversify funding sources to enhance organizational resilience and ensure continuity of interventions during periods of economic uncertainty.

Conclusion

Yengat Birhan Charity Organization has achieved significant progress in empowering marginalized women through skills development and economic support. By tackling key challenges and promoting resilience, the organization continues to improve the lives of women and their families. Looking ahead, Yengat Birhan remains committed to driving sustainable change through innovative strategies and collaborative partnerships.      

Thank You!