Rabia Nesra, now 35 years old, is a woman who has turned hardship into opportunity. A former teacher with a diploma, Rabia left her home in 2012 to pursue a better opportunity abroad. As a married mother of three, she sought financial stability for her family, but her journey took unexpected turns. She went abroad during the COVID outbreak with her friend, aided by brokers who helped them to cross illegally.
Rabia said. “The journey was exhausting. We traveled mainly on foot and it took us over two months to reach our destination. Tragically, my friend died along the way. I also became a victim of gender-based violence (GBV), which left me with lasting physical consequences, including paralysis in my legs.”
Upon reaching to their destination, Rabia found a job as a maid. The people she worked for were kind but the work was demanding and the pain in her legs became intolerable. She worked more than 16 hours a day. She kept her grief hidden out of fear of losing her job. Eventually, when the pain worsened, she informed her employers and they took her to the hospital. But by then, she was told that she had medical problem due to GBV, in addition to the severe pain her legs.”
Despite these challenges, Rabia remained determined to save money for her future. She said that “I worked for six years, sending money back home to my husband in Ethiopia. I had plans to start a small business and reunite with my family. But when I returned to Ethiopia in 2018, my husband had wasted all the money I sent. Our relationship faded and we eventually divorced. Left with nothing, I had to wash clothes and cook food for neighbors to survive.”
In November 2024, Rabia received unexpected news. “The local administration (kebele) invited me and other women who had returned from abroad for a meeting. We had been registered when we returned and they informed us that we had been selected for UN Women supported program under implementation by DEC.
First they undergo through an eye opener six-day life-skills and entrepreneurship training. She said: “I wish I had received such training before leaving for Saudi Arabia. It gave me new energy and motivation.”
Rabia spoke to her lessor about the training and her plans for a business. “They helped by set up a small shop by the side of the road. She went to Enat Bank and borrowed 11,000 ETB with a low-interest rate for a month. She started her business and paid off the loan in a month and borrowed additional 14,000 ETB again.”
Today, Rabia is optimistic. “I am able to feed my children properly, pay my house rent and save 1,000 ETB per week. My business is gradually expanding and I am very motivated with a bright future ahead.
Rabia has big dreams for the future. “I plan to open a larger shop in my home town and hire others to work with me.” Rabia’s story is a powerful testament to resilience, the transformative power of training and education and the impact of community support.
