PHILANTHROPY
JOURNEY
Since 2017, Shegitu has travelled to Ethiopia to launch a center where women in poverty receive vocational training in sewing and baking in order to create a source of income so they can get on their feet. Leading a team of women from the U.S., Kebede brings a range of valuable skill sets, partnerships, and messages of hope in order to meet the needs and serve the women in Ethiopia.
Since opening, Kebede has accomplished raising funds to purchase tables, chairs, sewing machines, irons, cutting boards and additional supplies needed for sewing projects. For those interested in baking, all ingredients and materials are provided. With electricity being unreliable, generators have been purchased to supply backup power. Additionally several clean water filters were supplied. Neighbors are encouraged to share resources with their neighbors and all items distributed are paired with the proper training and tools to troubleshoot if problems arise. Hundreds of reusable sanitary pads have been allotted to the women and a nurse on our team provided training on women’s heath.
During the first phase of this project, our aim was to determine which of the women had an interest to start a small business. In the summer of 2019, the micro-loaning program in women’s entrepreneurship was launched. Those who submitted an independent business idea received a micro-loan to grow their own business and provide for themselves and their families.
In addition to the center, Shegitu had a vision of helping kids, like her, who are orphaned. By 2019, four kids have been sponsored with provisions made for their financial needs, education, and temporary housing. The next goal is to raise money to build a home for them and supply them with the resources for a bright future.
BEGiNNINGs
WOMEN AT THE WELL, INT
In 2012, Kebede founded Women at the Well International, a humanitarian organization aiming to improve the livelihood of refugees and bring awareness of the plight of the refugees around the world. Recognized by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Kebede’s dedicated work created compassion in the heart of many and helped sparked real change.
Knowing first hand what it means to be a refugee and orphan, Kebede has dedicated her life to the betterment of the marginalized. Kebede raised funds to support education for refugee children and adults in order to add a renewed hope and confidence in their future.
Providing beds, new sanitary lavatories, constructing separate male and female living quarters, securing safe recreational space for youth, designating land for families to cultivate vegetables, training artisans to produce and sell various leather items, supporting women entrepreneurs in coffee, and goat herding to name a few.
Phase 1: 2012-2013 Stabilize the children's living conditions by providing personal hygiene items, clothing, shoes, bunk beds, bed sheets, and school materials.
Phase 2: 2014-2017 Built a school, gender specified dormitories, and a multipurpose room. Expanded our work from one refugee camp to four. In including refugee camps with adults and families, we are created opportunities for hands-on work. Whether young or old, our mission was to utilize the years spent in camps to equip refugees with the skills necessary to support themselves so that, no matter the context, they have a smoother transition after resettlement.
Phase 3: 2017-2018 Pass the baton onto on-the-ground organizations sustain programming and assess needs on a continual basis.