You Helped Raise $15,750 for Ethiopia!

Each June, Noonday’s Impact Giveback campaign provides direct financial support to life-changing social programs in one of the countries where we work. In 2018, Noonday customers, Hostesses, and Ambassadors helped raise $15,750 to support life-changing social programs in Ethiopia through Trunk Shows!

At Noonday, we recognize that while the most important way to combat poverty is through dignified, sustainable jobs, there are situations where supplemental financial donations are needed to meet the extra needs of Artisans, their families and communities.  The Impact Ethiopia Giveback campaign provided us with an additional avenue to address the educational, health, human rights, and community concerns of our Artisan Business Partners.

“Thank you so much to Noonday and all of the wonderful Ambassadors who have worked so hard to help disadvantaged women and their families throughout the world. Please know what a positive and lasting impact your generosity will have in the lives of the women in our program in Ethiopia.”  – Emnet Mersha

How did we invest the $15,750 in Ethiopia?

$2,900 supported a year-long rehabilitation program for one woman coming out of exploitation 

One of our Artisan Business Partners in Ethiopia works with women coming out of brothels and helps them begin new lives. Founded by our inspiring friend Cherry, Ellilta Woman at Risk provides holistic alternatives for exploited women through relationship-based recovery that leads to freedom and restoration in all areas of life.  

Ellilta Women at Risk offers a one-year program to help women transition to a new life. They run multiple centers throughout Ethiopia and are serving approximately 80 women annually. Noonday’s donation of $2,900 sponsors the full one-year program for one woman. Since 1996, over 1,000 women have built new lives for themselves through the transformative experience at Ellilta. We are proud to be a part of their continuing success. 

$1,800 supported a savings program for 50 women

Our Partners recently launched a savings program for these formerly exploited women, because they recognize that one of the main factors in women entering prostitution is extreme and unrelenting poverty. Our Partners are not only providing jobs in order to help break the cycle of poverty, but they are also helping the women plan for emergencies and unforeseen expense so none of them feel that prostitution is their only option.

The savings program provides coaching on financial planning and recording keeping, helps women open savings accounts, and gifts each woman with 400 Ethiopian birr (about $15.00) to start their savings. As a result of Noonday’s grant, our Partners now match the women’s additional savings 1:1. For every additional birr the women save, our Partners match 100%! Noonday’s grant has funded this program for 50 women for one year of saving each.  

$3,180 provided school fees and supplies for 12 school-aged children

When asked what additional help they wanted, the women who make Noonday’s jewelry were unanimous in their response–education for their children. There are about 30 women working with one of our Ethiopian Partners, and these women have 12 school-aged children who needed help with school fees, uniforms, and school supplies.

Our Impact Giveback funds came at a perfect time. With these funds, our Partners purchased new backpacks, school uniforms, shoes, and colorful notebooks, pencils, pens, and rulers for the children in addition to paying their annual school fees! Our grant has allowed these families and our Partners to invest the money they would have spent on these expenses into their savings program and other important activities. We believe that education is a key to providing a bright future for these children, and we are honored to support them in that goal.  

$5,000 established an emergency medical fund

Another one of our Ethiopian Artisan Business Partners focuses on providing job opportunities for women who are living with HIV. While Ethiopia has universal health care that covers their basic health needs, these women often encounter medical emergencies and complications that require additional attention and the care of private hospitals and doctors. This has become a more frequent need in the Artisan community. 

To help address these medical emergencies and urgencies, Noonday committed $5,000 to provide immediate medical attention in private hospitals to the women of this Artisan Business Partner. The funds can be drawn at any time and give extra assurances to our Partners that the women will have access to the best care available.  

$2,850 helped make motherhood safer in Ethiopia

Obstetric fistula is a pressing problem in Ethiopia, impacting 3,500 women living in mostly rural areas. An obstetric fistula, caused by a prolonged labor, results in permanent incontinence and frequently the loss of the child. A woman with obstetric fistula is often abandoned by her family and community and left ashamed and alone.  

Obstetric fistula can be healed physically by a simple surgical operation, but the emotional and social damage is often long lasting. Obstetric fistula can be avoided with a skilled labor assistant at the birth.  

Noonday wanted to be part of the solution to address this pressing problem. Through our network, we met the founder of a remarkable organization, Healing Hands of Joy, that is combating obstetric fistula in Ethiopia. Their approach is collaborative and community based. Healing Hands of Joy gives former fistula patients a unique opportunity to earn an income and prevent other women from suffering by training them to be Safe Motherhood Ambassadors. These Ambassadors work in their own communities to improve the maternal health prospects of their villages. Safe Motherhood Ambassadors are empowered with income-generating skills training and a micro-loan to start their own business.  

Thank you to all of our incredible Trunk Show Hostesses, Ambassadors, and customers who joined us in making this impact in Ethiopia!