My Day at Cortaid & New Vision Co-op. (Wednesday, May 8)

I spend my last full day in Ethiopia with Cortaid, aDutch equivalent of Catholic Relief Charities. Their work mainly focus on disaster preparedness, i.e., floods, droughts, etc. Ton, the country representative for Cortaid, highlighted a few projects across the African Continent.

They fund some work done by the Daughters of Charity, a St. Vincent's dePaul Order that works out of France. I was excited about seeing this work based on my affiliation with the Sisters of Mercy. I know if you want to make impact...give it to the Sisters!!

I met Sister Brenda, Head Sister in Charge. She is a 5' fireball who really demonstrates SUSTAINABILITY.

Me and Sister Brenda, Head Sister In Charge

Sister Brenda took me to visit a newly formed Women's Co-op (New Vision). Some 30 women who previously stayed at home receiving money from their husbands or parents are now businesswomen, using their skills in cooking and weaving. They opened a restaurant in a rented space to serve breakfast, lunch and dinner (as well as take-out) for local residents. They now have their own money for medicine, and to educate their kids. Only one of them speaks English and I communicated how proud I was of them...they were truly "Sisters Who Rock"! They loved it and Sister Brenda told me they were going rename the Co-op to "Sisters Who Rock"!

Me with the "Sisters Who Rock!"

Restaurant Building

Restaurant take out window

Cooking for customers

Tables in restaurant

Grinding coffee beans 

Coffee beans roasting for a traditional coffee ceremony

Coffee is often served with a snack like popcorn

We also visited the home of a local weaver. Sister Brenda and her team provided microfinancing for the yarn used to weave. He was able to produce and sell more product, pay off his loan and use the profits to invest in his home and family. He used the profits to plaster the walls of his home providing insulation and purchasing a Satellite TV Dish.

Local weaver we visited

We also visited a school. Sister Brenda and her angels provided desks and a roof over the building so the children could attend when it rained.

Classroom desks donated by Sis. Brenda

Sister Brenda also finances many local ventures through micro-financing. Applicants present a Business Plan for review and approval by their peers. They are given training on marketing and budgeting. Loans are in the amount of 3,000 birr with 24 month payback requirement. Out of the 120 loans made, only 2 have defaulted. Loans are used to produce and sell goods. One women was a hairdresser and used her funds to expand her house to rent to other tenants!

Making goods for sale

Sis. Brenda's Support Team

What an amazing and fulfilling Day!