Income Generation Programs
Skill Building and Artisanship
Income Generation is key to breaking the cycle of poverty. This program provides participants the opportunity to receive training in a variety of skills such as sewing, weaving, rug making, knitting, jewelry creation and basketry.
The purpose of having our families participate in this program is not only to develop artisan skills, but to provide men and women the opportunity to learn valuable employment and life skills that are transferable and beneficial in any area of work. Numbers of women come into our program unable to make a repetitive pattern or hold a scissor, while others enter with some previous experience in a certain craft, and both groups given the opportunity, tools and further instruction, are able to produce high quality artisan products.
During this learning process participants grow in confidence, self-esteem, problem-solving ability and community. No longer having to focus their time and energy on survival, many participants begin to dream for the first time and explore their own desires and abilities, with the ultimate goal of becoming self-sufficient and providing for their own families.
The Benefit Souk
“Souk” is Amharic for store.
Our families have enthusiastically caught onto the vision of saving through the implementation of our “Benefit Souk”. This is a system by which our HFK program participants can earn merit points through their participation in the Income Generation Program when displaying good work habits such as punctuality, producing quality products, team work and service to others. It has been a great way to foster dignity and encourage empowerment as families experience the satisfaction of working towards and purchasing items of their own choosing.
Every month or so on “Souk Day”, program participants wait in great anticipation until their name is drawn so that they can begin shopping! Many families spend their points on items that they would otherwise not be able to afford such as water containers, mattresses, shoes and clothing. There have also been touching, selfless moments such as when one of our ladies, Webayheu worked all month to earn points and on Souk Day, without hesitation she gave some to Beylanesh so she would have enough to buy shoes for her son. Beylanesh later gave all of her points to someone else who in turn was able to purchase a mattress. Community, generosity, dignity, self-esteem and empowerment – a few priceless products of the Benefit Souk!
Hope for Korah Store
The HFK Store is located within the Income Generation Compound in Korah. This store displays and sells many of the hand-made artisan products crafted by the hard-working women and men involved in our program.
Visitors and short-term teams are given the opportunity to shop at the HFK store, purchasing items such as scarves, jewelry, baskets, soft toys, bags and pillows. Items are also sold in the North American store located at the Hope for Korah Office in Abbotsford, B.C. 100% of all proceeds from the sale of these items are re-invested into the Income Generation Program to support these women and their families.
Related Projects
