Berhane Tesfaye has realised her dreams. The 19-year-old is the only one of six children from a poor farming family to get her school leaving certificate and learn a profession. For all that, the grammar school was located in the nearest town of Bure, too far from her village. Berhane was only able to attend the school when Menschen für Menschen built a girls’ hostel in Bure. After completing her studies she acquired a teacher’s training with distinction.
“Without the hostel I would have been married off at an early age. The whole day I would have had to look after the children and cook, carry water and wood like my mother and sisters,” exclaims the young woman. “I never imagined that I would have a better life!

In rural areas there are only a few secondary schools. For most children the walk to school is too long and, particularly for girls, too dangerous. Hostels close to the grammar school are often the only solution, enabling them to attend a secondary school and lead an independent life. Once a month the girls are able to go home to visit their families and stock up with food. On the other weekends Menschen für Menschen finances courses in sewing, housekeeping and hygiene, but also educational programmes on circumcision and AIDS risks. After lessons the girls have time for homework and thus have the same opportunities as the boys. With success: most girls from the Menschen für Menschen hostels later take up a profession or continue their studies, taking an important step to independence. 

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