“Sometimes it seems like a dream,” Sima said. “Many sleepless nights, endless tears, fear, and anger all gone away. I feel like I was born again.”
Sima’s dream started as a nightmare. The Ethiopian mother of four struggled to make ends meet when her husband and youngest son were suddenly and simultaneously diagnosed with chronic illnesses. Sima’s husband could no longer work. Medical bills piled up while opportunities eroded away.
“My life turned upside down and I didn’t know what to do,” she said. “It’s like living in the dark. I felt hopeless and depressed.”
Sima decided to look for a solution. She recalled seeing other families in the hospital, knowing that she was not alone in her struggle. That memory, she said, motivated her to keep going. She knew that there had to be a way to make it through. What she didn’t know was that the opportunity she sought was just around the corner.
Sima soon learned about Convoy of Hope’s Women’s Empowerment program. After she joined, she learned how to run a business, manage her finances, implement customer service practices, and other vital skills to help her provide for herself and her family.
Sima also learned important values like self-esteem and the importance of community. Through the program, she found others who could relate to her experiences.
“We exchange ideas and share stories,” she said. “You get some relief by sharing not only your success but also your pain and failures.”
Sima makes it a point to encourage other women through their struggles. She helps them look for new opportunities in their lives, use their time constructively, and maintain a healthy mindset.
“My advice is not to lose hope in any circumstance,” she said.
Since she joined Women’s Empowerment, Sima’s life has changed drastically. She opened her own store, where she sells produce and other goods. She makes good money and now describes herself as “the breadwinner” in her family. Her nightmare has ended, and now she continues to dream.
“Gradually, the health status of my husband and my son is improving. My husband started walking [by] using a crutch and my son is back to school. My business is going well,” Sima said. “I would like to say thank you to Convoy of Hope and its partners. The organization has reached me during a critical time of my life.”
Thank you for changing Sima’s story by supporting Convoy of Hope. To learn more about Convoy’s Women’s Empowerment program, click here.
