To help such a poor community as we live in, Misgana Ministries feels the first priority is bringing the people to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, to give them the hope of salvation and learning the lifestyle of living by Christian principles. When there is no hope, the people too often resort to sinful and expensive activities to try to avoid the hopelessness they feel.

Secondly, education is vital for the success of Ethiopians and the entire country of Ethiopia. Through education they will be better able to support themselves and their families. Education is vital not only for the children, but many adults also have a desire to continue their education to receive training in occupations which help them to be more productive citizens.

Third, we hope to attract some of the more promising people of the community and help them set up small businesses through incentives (such as agreeing to purchase the things they produce or the services they provide), training, and financial assistance (e.g. small loans).

Here are some examples of ways Misgana Ministries has helped some highly motivated people:

1. Already we have helped two ladies start injera-making businesses by agreeing to buy their output for the school feeding program.
2. In addition, we have contracted with another man to supply all the bread for our school lunches.
3. Another man is being helped to set up a poultry business to raise chickens both for meat and eggs.
4. A farmer is being helped by loaning money to help him buy a donkey and a cart to help bring in his crops. When asked why he couldn’t simply rent a donkey and cart for the short harvest season, he replied that sometimes donkeys and carts aren’t available during the busy season. Additionally, if he buys the donkey long before the season and uses it to quickly bring in his crops, he can re-sell the donkey during the busy time at a great profit, pay off the loan, and still pocket some money.
5. Another man is involved in the tourist trade, taking visitors to the islands of Lake Ziway and also out to see the hippos in the lake. He received a loan to buy a motor for his boat after the old one conked out. Without a boat motor, he would be unable to operate his business.

There are many more examples of ways Misgana Ministries is making a difference in this area. The opportunities are limited only by the imaginations of those who wish to start such business enterprises. The challenge is to find individuals who are highly motivated to do something they love doing. The motivation must come from within; if it’s someone else’s idea the enthusiasm soon fades away.

This farmer was given a loan to buy the donkey and the cart shown. It will save him a lot of money when it is harvest time. Normally, he would have to rent a cart and a donkey during harvest when the prices for rental are very high.

A local woman prepares injera for the school feeding program. We have committed to buy all her output.

Misgana Ministries helped this man get a start in the chicken and egg business.