Meet Beza!
My Background:
I was born and raised in Hawassa. My parents were well educated, so I was lucky to have the opportunity to go to an international school in the city. When I graduated, I went to Hawassa University. My father was a teacher, and my mother was a nurse. My father was very influential and encouraged my education and career. It was my dream to be a sociologist and serve the community. I was highly influenced by my family’s passion to serve within the community, and so I started working as a social worker at an orphanage for a few years. During this time, I worked one-on-one with those facing extreme poverty. Many of the children were from very poor areas and the jungles. I witnessed a lot of hardships and challenges during this time; it was very painful to witness.
After gaining my master’s degree, I joined SCES as a social worker. My main areas of focus were women empowerment, education, awareness of female general mutation (FGM), and child forced marriage. These departments greatly needed my help, so I was passionate about my role and purpose within these causes.
My Why:
I was harassed a lot and strongly influenced through my experience helping a young female rape victim. She was only nine years old, and the experience greatly influenced my desire to follow a path in which I helped victimized women and young girls.
I began counseling women who had experienced Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). I helped to empower these women to speak up for themselves and assert their needs.
The people here are gaining knowledge and becoming more educated, which has greatly reduced the practice of FGM. The women now know where to go for help as I work hard to educate the schools and communities about the dangers of FGM. Creating by-laws to help eliminate FGM- has greatly improved the situation.
Working as a WASH coordinator for SCES has also brought me a lot of fulfillment. I had many powerful experiences where I helped women have access to clean water and take a bath for the first time in their lives. This experience greatly touched my heart. The fact that so many people have suffered without clean water access and view a bath as a luxury is truly heartbreaking, but we are making a difference and changing lives every single day.
As WASH coordinator, I teach the beneficiaries of our water projects how to manage their sanitation and hygiene. We also educate them about the importance and process of establishing a latrine to reduce open defecation which is directly tied to the spread of diseases and illnesses. Every community is required to form a water committee comprised of at least 50% women. This further empowers the women and aids in the sustainability of our projects.
I am so grateful to work within a field of such importance alongside individuals who truly care for one another and value making a difference.
-Beza