Empowering Vulnerable Women and Assisting the Elderly Project: Project Performance Report
(November 2023–December 2024)
The Empowering Vulnerable Women and Assisting the Elderly Project is designed to make a meaningful and lasting impact on economically disadvantaged women and elderly individuals in Sheki Town, Dedo District, located in the southwest Oromia Region of Ethiopia. By implementing targeted interventions, the project addresses the unique challenges these groups face, aiming to enhance their overall quality of life and foster resilience within the community. The initiative comprises two key components: Women’s Economic Empowerment, which focuses on building financial independence and capacity and Addressing the Needs of the Elderly and Bedridden, which ensures compassionate care and support for some of the community’s most vulnerable members.
Outcome I: Women’s Economic Empowerment – A Pathway to Socio-Economic Resilience
- Empowering vulnerable women is critical to addressing systemic gender disparities and fostering socio-economic equity. The initiative primarily targets female-headed households, equipping them with resources, skills, and opportunities to overcome challenges. By addressing the root causes of vulnerabilities, the program fosters self-confidence, self-sufficiency, and gender equality, enabling participants to improve their quality of life, support their families, and contribute to community development.
- The program follows a structured and holistic approach, beginning with a vulnerability assessment to identify the most at-risk women. Collaborations with government entities and local administrations ensure alignment with broader policy frameworks, while a transparent beneficiary selection process promotes fairness and inclusivity. Core interventions include establishing four Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), providing training, and offering seed funds to kick-start economic activities. Ongoing mentorship and support further empower participants to effectively manage and grow their financial resources.
- The program has yielded notable outcomes. A total of 64 women participated in the VSLAs—Midhega, Lelisa Bula, Gudeta Bula, and Abdi Boru—collectively saving ETB 117,400. These savings enabled loans totalling ETB 90,500, supporting participants in launching or expanding income-generating activities. Approximately 75% of participants (48 women) actively saved, and 58% utilized loans for productive purposes, reflecting the program’s success in building financial literacy and entrepreneurial skills.
- The program’s design ensures a sustainable transition from dependence to self-reliance. By emphasizing savings, loan utilization, and mentorship, the initiative empowers women while strengthening community resilience. Over time, these women serve as role models and change agents, inspiring broader societal shifts toward gender equality and economic inclusion.
Performance of the VSLA Groups
The four VSLAs displayed varying levels of activity in savings accumulation, loan disbursement, and member participation, showcasing their potential as tools for financial inclusion:
- Midhega – saved ETB 28,400 and began loan disbursement in Round III, with 8 members borrowing a total of ETB 17,000. This cautious strategy allowed the group to build a solid savings base before lending.
- Lelisa Bula – saved ETB 29,100, with loan activity starting in Round II. Borrower numbers declined from 5 to 3 in Round III, reflecting a deliberate focus on strengthening savings.
- Gudeta Bula – consistently disbursed loans across all rounds, increasing both borrower numbers and loan amounts. By Round III, 6 members borrowed ETB 18,000, demonstrating strong demand for credit and effective management.
- Abdi Boru – saved the highest amount (ETB 31,300). Loan activity began in Round II, growing significantly in Round III with 7 borrowers and larger loan amounts.
Collectively, the groups saved ETB 117,400 and disbursed loans totalling ETB 12,500 in Round I, ETB 40,500 in Round II, and ETB 65,000 in Round III. This upward trend in loan participation—rising from 5 borrowers in Round I to 24 in Round III—illustrates growing trust and reliance on VSLAs as financial support systems.
Outcome II: Addressing the Needs of the Elderly and Bedridden
- The Elderly and Bedridden Support component adopts a holistic approach to address the physical, mental, and social challenges faced by elderly and bedridden individuals. By improving access to healthcare, fostering social inclusion, and supporting financial stability, the program ensures dignity and enhanced quality of life for this vulnerable group.
- The project identified 20 beneficiaries (16 women and 4 men) through rigorous screening to ensure support reaches those most in need. Health insurance mitigated financial barriers to medical care, while para-social workers and volunteers provided regular visits for companionship and need assessment. Monthly cash transfers of ETB 500 enhanced financial security, allowing beneficiaries to meet basic needs or cover medical expenses. Collaboration with local health facilities ensured access to necessary health interventions, while continuous monitoring enabled adjustments to maximize program effectiveness.
- The program successfully enrolled 20 beneficiaries, predominantly women, ensuring inclusivity. Regular medical check-ups and weekly visits reduced isolation and improved health outcomes, with volunteers playing a vital role in accompanying beneficiaries to health institutions. Where medication was unavailable, the project filled the gap, demonstrating its commitment to comprehensive care. Financial support empowered beneficiaries to meet their daily needs with dignity.
- The program faced challenges, including the death of two beneficiaries. These individuals were replaced with new ones, ensuring continuity. This adaptability highlights the program’s robust monitoring and readiness to respond to emerging needs.
- By integrating financial, medical, and social support, the project not only addresses immediate needs but also establishes a sustainable framework for long-term care. Partnerships with local health systems and community-based solutions lay the foundation for future scaling and replication, ensuring ongoing impact for vulnerable populations.
Way Forward
The Empowering Vulnerable Women and Assisting the Elderly Project is designed for phased implementation over three years, with a clear roadmap to enhance economic empowerment and healthcare assistance for the most vulnerable populations in Sheki Town.
Phase I (Year 1)
- The project enrolled 60 female heads of households with children, focusing on providing targeted economic empowerment through VSLAs, financial literacy training, and mentorship. Concurrently, the Elderly and Bedridden Healthcare Assistance Component will provide continuous support to 20 identified elderly individuals, ensuring holistic care through health insurance, monthly cash transfers, and social interaction facilitated by para-social workers and volunteers.
Phase II & III (Years 2 and 3)
- In the second and third years, an additional 60 participants will be enrolled each year, reaching a total of 180 female-headed households by the end of the project. The elderly care component will remain consistent, maintaining support for the same 20 beneficiaries to ensure long-term, impactful care.
- The phased approach ensures sustainability, allows for reflection on lessons learned, and provides opportunities to refine interventions for greater impact. The project is built on the foundation of continuous monitoring and evaluation, ensuring each phase builds on the successes of the previous one.
Challenges and the Need for Additional Support
While the initial funding provided by our generous supporters has been instrumental in bringing the project to this point, Ethiopia’s macroeconomic adjustments and inflationary pressures have significantly impacted the cost of materials and services.
- The planned ETB 4,000 seed funding per participant is no longer adequate to support income-generating activities. With the rising costs of inputs and operational expenses, there is a risk of diminished impact unless additional funding is secured.
- The monthly ETB 500 cash transfer to bedridden beneficiaries is insufficient to meet even their most basic needs, such as medication, food, and transportation to health facilities.
- Volunteers, who are the backbone of the program, are currently receiving a pocket allowance of ETB 1,000, which is no longer adequate to sustain their motivation or cover their operational costs.
Call for Action
To sustain the momentum and scale the impact of this vital initiative, additional financial resources are urgently required. Our next steps include:
- We plan to launch a comprehensive fundraising campaign targeting individual donors, international NGOs, and private sector partners. This campaign will highlight the transformative impact of the project and the urgency of continued support.
- We aim to forge stronger partnerships with both local and international stakeholders. This includes seeking matching funds and additional grants from development partners to meet the rising costs.
- The project team will explore cost-effective solutions, such as partnerships with local suppliers for discounted goods and services, to maximize the impact of available resources.
- To address volunteer retention, we propose increasing their allowances, along with offering non-monetary incentives such as training, recognition events, and career development opportunities.
Conclusion
The project steadfastly upholds its commitment to empowering vulnerable women and providing compassionate care for the elderly, even in the face of financial challenges. By leveraging strategic planning, fostering community mobilization, and maintaining unwavering dedication, we aim to transform our vision of building a resilient and inclusive community into reality. This effort goes beyond addressing immediate needs—it seeks to create long-term social impact and equitable opportunities for all. To achieve this, we extend a heartfelt call to our funders, partners, and supporters to collaborate with us in sustaining and expanding this vital initiative. Together, we can ensure that no one is left behind in the pursuit of dignity, empowerment, and a brighter future for the most vulnerable among us.
For more information or to support our work, please visit our website: www.didaethio.org. You can also reach us via email at: info@didaethio.org
Bank Account Details:
Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, Dedo Branch
Dedo Integrated Development Association (DIDA)
Account Number: 1000559243117

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