Our help works
We are completing our project in the districts of Abaya and Gelana. An independent study shows that our aid for self-development is working.
Menschen für Menschen carried out an EVALUATION in Abaya and Gelana. This examines whether a project was successful, whether the money was put to good use and whether the aid really made a difference to the people. Independent experts collect data, interview people and compare the results with previous figures. The study helps to further develop measures and thus continuously optimize future projects.
Dear reader
This is our concept of self-development: we only want to stay for a certain period of time so that people do not become dependent on aid. So we are ending our work in the Abaya and Gelana districts.
But are the people better off now? Do they no longer have to leave their homes and farms and move to the cities because they only find hardship at home? And: What can we do even better - for example in our new project in the neighboring district of Raphe?
We have commissioned an evaluation, a study to monitor success: the team from Gillo Consult surveyed 412 families and also conducted interviews with representatives of the authorities, women's groups and elders.
The results are encouraging. This is shown by the highlights from the study on this page. "The project has sustainably improved the well-being of the communities," the experts conclude. The progress made therefore continues to have an impact. Because people now have the knowledge to look after themselves.
The experts also make recommendations. We should focus even more on developing people's skills in general and empowering women in particular.
We are pleased to note that we are starting a new project in the neighboring district of Raphe.
We will alleviate and in many cases end this poverty - with your support: the poor families in Ethiopia owe all their successes to you, our donors. A huge thank you from us!
Local experts lived in the villages to provide the small farmers with inputs and training. Menschen für Menschen was active in the rural districts of Abaya and Gelana for 9 years. 22,500 families benefited, a total of around 150,000 people.
Family planning:
Small farms cannot support large families. The proportion of married couples who have opted for contraception has risen from 47% to 57% in the past three years.
A liberation
"I used to have no way of accessing capital. Since I joined the savings group, I feel liberated. Thanks to the microloans, I have fattened an ox, started an egg business and bought this young cow with the profits. I'm planning to sell lemonade and open a small kiosk."
Women:
They used to be disadvantaged and their potential lay untapped. The turning point came with our savings groups, in which the women received training and microloans. Now 97 percent have access to credit (previously it was only 18 percent). 65 percent of women were able to build up reserves for emergencies (previously 9 percent).
"Now we can do it by ourselves!"
"31 savings groups, each with around 100 members, have joined together to form an association. Now we can get fair loans from the banks and pass them on to the women. Thanks to the knowledge we have acquired and our growing experience, we can now do it without any further help."
