People who have had to flee their homes to find safety often end up living in what was only intended to be a short-term, emergency relief situation for the long-term. Refugee camps are often at capacity and resources are highly strained, which increases protection risks for vulnerable communities.
Complex problems like these require long-term, sustainable solutions.
That’s why Act for Peace is supporting the Department of Services for Palestinian Refugees (DSPR) in Jordan and the Ethiopian Orthodox Church – Development and Inter-Church Aid Commission (DICAC) to implement a holistic ‘Graduation Out of Poverty’ approach in refugee communities.
The Forsa (opportunity) project in Jordan and the Tesfa (hope) project in Ethiopia will empower people find a long-term pathway out of poverty.
Pathway out of poverty
“It’s a very purposeful program with training and moral support. They were with me at every stage.
It opened up more scope for me than I Could’ve ever imagined.” Abia*
~ Abia, Jordon
Backing Displaced peopele
50 families participate in each program over two years. Families like Abia’s* who fled Syria to find safety in Jordan.
Abia has built a successful pastry catering business thanks to the skills and support she received through the program.
This life changing project provides ongoing mentoring and training to build their businesses so they have a secure, reliable income. Participants learn technical and vocational skills, business and life skills, income-generation planning and financial literacy. The program includes financial support, job referrals and other services.
Following the success of the program in Jordan, Senior
Development Manager at Act for Peace, Stephanie Lenert, visited Ethiopia to
meet with some of the families who have started their journey of transformation
through the Tesfa program.
“I was excited to meet the project participants and hear their aspirations for the future,” says Stephanie. “Everyone had a strong vision to create a livelihood and described what self-reliance would mean for their family.”
Konjit* experienced unimaginable abuse and hardship and found herself alone in Addis Ababa, unable to provide for her four children. But Tesfa has given her hope for a brighter future. “Before this, I was sick from anxiety, but when I found this, I was filled with joy,” says Konjit*.
“With this opportunity, I will work morning and night and change myself. I feel like I have been born again.
~ Konjit*, Ethiopia
