Meet Pera: A Young Woman with a Difficult Start
Pera is a 27-year-old woman from Ambo, Ethiopia. She was born into a large family with two brothers and four sisters. Her parents were small-scale farmers, and life was very hard for the family. They struggled to meet basic needs, and Pera never had the chance to go to school. Growing up, she faced many emotional challenges, and there were often conflicts at home. One of her brothers even struggled with serious mental health issues, showing how deeply the family’s situation affected everyone.
Running Away in Search of Hope
Feeling hopeless and without support, Pera made a difficult decision. She took a small amount of money that her mother had saved and left for Addis Ababa, hoping to find a better life. When she arrived, she didn’t know anyone. At the bus station, she met a woman who listened to her story and invited her to stay in her home. But instead of helping her, the woman made Pera work without pay and treated her unkindly. After some time, Pera left, searching once again for a way to survive.
Trapped by False Promises
While trying to find work, Pera met a group of women involved in sex work. One of them spoke kindly to her and told her that she could make fast money and live freely if she joined them. With no other options and nowhere to turn, Pera accepted. For the next eight years, she remained in this life. During that time, she went through many painful experiences. She was taken advantage of, her personal boundaries were ignored, and she was treated with disrespect. These experiences left deep emotional scars and made her feel alone and disconnected from the world around her.
Struggles with Health and Addiction
To cope with the stress and pain, Pera began using khat (also called chat), a local plant that acts like a drug. Over time, this habit began to affect her physical and mental health. She also developed high blood pressure, but she hasn’t yet started medical treatment. Alongside all of this, Pera became a mother. She now has a one-year-old daughter named Yemariam, who depends on her for love, care, and stability.
Finding a New Path with EWAR
One day, Pera heard stories from other women who had changed their lives through the help of an organization called EWAR. They had once been in similar situations, but with support and training, they were able to find hope again. Inspired by their stories, Pera decided to visit EWAR and ask for help. She joined their rehabilitation and training program.
Steps Toward Healing and Independence
Since joining EWAR, Pera has made amazing progress. She takes part in all the classes, arrives early even though she lives far away and is fully committed to improving her life. She is now learning how to make women’s handbags, sew caps, and create coffee holders as part of her vocational training. On weekends, she also washes clothes in her neighborhood to earn a small income. Pera is working hard to leave her past behind and build a future filled with dignity, independence, and hope for herself and for her daughter.