After losing her husband and the family’s only source of income, Nimco faced an uncertain future with 7 children to support. Through Islamic Relief’s orphan sponsorship and women’s economic empowerment programmes in Ethiopia, she has built a small business, supported her children’s education and taken important steps towards a more secure future.
Nimco is a mother of 7 living in Ethiopia. Her physical disability makes manual work difficult, but her husband was earning a little as a religious teacher. His small income helped feed the family, and to send the 2 eldest children to primary school.
When he died, Nimco worried about how she would feed her children and keep them in education.
A local leader referred the family to Islamic Relief. Following an assessment, 2 of her children, Ahmed and Amira, joined Islamic Relief’s orphan sponsorship programme.
Nimco remembers receiving the first payment: “For the first time in a long time, I bought enough food for my family and cheap sandals for all my children. We sat together and ate until everyone was full.”
Turning support into opportunity
Nimco used the support to meet her family’s immediate needs, but she also wanted to build a more secure future.
Using part of a later payment, she bought locally made clothes to sell in her community. She reinvested the profits, expanded her small business and began saving.
Over time, her savings, together with an annual gift received through Ahmed’s sponsorship, helped the family begin building a new 4-room home.
The children also gained greater access to food, better living conditions and education.
Building skills and confidence
Nimco took part in 2 women’s economic empowerment projects run by Islamic Relief Ethiopia.
She learned practical skills in saving, managing money and developing a small business. The training helped her strengthen her income and increased her confidence in planning for her family’s future.
Looking towards a more secure future
Today, several of Nimco’s children are studying at university, while the others remain in education. Nimco is continuing to grow her business and complete a rental property, which she hopes will provide a more reliable income.
Amira’s sponsorship has ended but Nimco remains determined to keep moving forward.
“The sponsorship did more than feed my children,” she says. “It gave me hope, confidence, and the opportunity to change our future.”
Your support can help vulnerable children and families access education, food and opportunities to build sustainable livelihoods.
Donate today and help families like Nimco’s move towards greater security and self-reliance.
