"The Women Empowerment Project"

Female students in Ethiopia make up only 35% of University enrollment. Most of these students are from an upper economic demographic. Girls from the countryside (making up 80% of the population) seldom make it past the 5th grade. Few females that graduate from college get competitive jobs in their fields, many opting to leave the work force for a variety of reasons. Females in Ethiopia, especially those without family support, lack the skills for self- determination. They do not have the skills, training or resources to choose their educational, social, domestic or professional paths.

Esther is a 5 year project aiming to provide girls the training and resources to:

• Attend and complete a college program or university program
• Choose their reproductive paths (SRH and family planning) and domestic paths
• Acquire employment, including resume skills, interview skills, and negotiation skills
• Manage their finances including budgeting money and investment
• Obtain clear self-identification and  higher self-esteem
• Acquire better communication and self –expression skills within the community