THE EFFECT OF I POUR LIFE PROJECT ON ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN WITH LEPROSY AT KORE DISTRICT, ADDIS ABEBA

Abstract

Kore woreda (KolfeKeranyo subcity in Addis Ababa) has the largest Leprosy women community in the country. I Pour Life International implemented a Leprosy women economic empowerment project in 2014-2017. This study intends to assess the impact of the I Pour Life leprosy women economic empowerment project. The methodology employed was descriptive research methodology using qualitative and quantitative research methods. The study used primary and secondary data sources. To this end, household survey questionnaire and key informant interview checklist were produced. A total of 90 beneficiaries and ten key informants were involved in the study. Data collection tools were structured questionnaire (for household survey) and semi-structured interview checklist (for stakeholders). Pre- test has been done before the survey was conducted on three leprosy women and two stakeholders. Qualitative data were transcribed and analyzed through thematic coding. Quantitative data were cleaned, coded, entered and analyzed using a computer program (SPSS software). The findings were interpreted using literature review findings (secondary data source). Project activities include trainings (set up small business, work ethics, health education), start-up capital, follow up and initiate saving. Prominent effects of the project were getting better quality and regular meal, sending children to school, became self-supportive and independent, better understand their rights and start saving. Sustainability had been well considered in the project. Hence, 80% of beneficiaries sustained their achievement even following the project phases out. However, 20% of the beneficiaries failed to sustain. This is mainly due to lack of strong and sustained collaboration with the woreda government bodies and other stakeholders in the woreda. Furthermore, their focus was mainly on economic empowerment and did not address other determinants such as medical, social and psychological factors.